SAR Comparison: Which Phones Radiate the Most and the Least?
TOCA · KNOWLEDGE
By TOCA Editorial · 2026 · 6 min read
The SAR values of current smartphones differ more than most people think. Between the lowest and the highest value there is more than a tenfold gap. This article shows where the devices stand, what the numbers mean, and why a low value alone is not the whole story.
What the SAR value means, briefly
The SAR value indicates how much electromagnetic energy the body absorbs when a phone is in use, measured in watts per kilogram. The lower the value, the lower the maximum transmission power measured in the test. What the value says exactly, and under which conditions it is determined, we explain in detail in our article on what your manufacturer actually recommends. You can look up the value for your own model directly in our SAR-Checker.
The range: from low-radiation to near the limit
In the European Union, a legal maximum of 2 watts per kilogram applies for the head and torso. Every legally sold smartphone stays below this value. Within that limit, however, the spread is wide.
As a rough guide: a value up to 0.6 watts per kilogram counts as low-radiation, which is also the criterion for the Blue Angel eco-label. Values between 0.6 and 1.0 are solid, and anything up to 2.0 stays within the permitted limits. Germany's Federal Office for Radiation Protection maintains a database with the values of more than 4,000 devices.
“Every legally sold phone stays under the limit. Even so, the gap between the lowest and the highest value is more than tenfold.”
Current models compared
A current look reveals a surprising pattern: modern flagships often sit in the upper range. The iPhone 17 is stated at around 1.49 watts per kilogram, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 at about 1.48, and the Galaxy S25 at around 1.29 for head SAR. Notably lower are models such as the Fairphone 6, Samsung's A-series with the Galaxy A36 and A17, and the Galaxy Z Flip7.
| Model | SAR (head) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fairphone 6 | 0.49 W/kg | low-radiation |
| Samsung Galaxy A36 | 0.53 W/kg | low-radiation |
| Samsung Galaxy A17 | 0.67 W/kg | moderate |
| Motorola Edge 60 Fusion | 0.95 W/kg | moderate |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | 1.29 W/kg | upper range |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 | 1.48 W/kg | upper range |
| Apple iPhone 17 | 1.49 W/kg | upper range |
Head SAR values from manufacturer data and the BfS database. All models stay under the 2.0 W/kg limit.
One thing stands out: newer devices tend to have higher SAR values than many older models. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection explains this partly with a uniformly smaller test distance since 2016 and with the greater number of radio technologies in modern devices. For comparison: older low-radiation models such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ were around 0.19 watts per kilogram. All the listed devices stay well under the 2.0 limit.
These figures come from manufacturer data and the BfS database and mostly refer to head SAR. They change with every device generation, which is why the value of your specific model remains the more reliable benchmark.
Why a low SAR value is not everything
The SAR value is a snapshot under laboratory conditions. It is measured at maximum transmission power and at a fixed distance, and does not reflect your everyday use. Two points matter.
Head and body are not the same. Most published rankings show head SAR. Body-worn use has its own measured values, which for newer devices are sometimes higher due to the smaller test distance. For the Galaxy S25, for example, head SAR is around 1.29 and body SAR around 1.36 watts per kilogram.
How you carry it matters more than the number. A device with a low SAR value that is worn directly against the body all day can cause higher close-body exposure than a device with a higher value kept at a distance. The SAR value describes the device, not your habit.
“The SAR value describes the device. How you carry it decides the actual exposure.”
How to check your SAR value and reduce exposure
You will find the SAR value of your model in the database of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection at bfs.de/sar, or directly in our SAR-Checker, which presents the values clearly.
Regardless of the model, exposure can be reduced. The simplest measure is distance. Anyone who carries the device close to the body and wants to reduce body-side exposure can use directional shielding such as the TOCA Shield Pouch, which shields one side and keeps the device reachable. To take the phone fully offline for a while, use the No Signal Sleeve with its DEKRA-tested shielding textile.
“A low SAR value is a good start. Distance and shielding work on top, regardless of the model.”
Frequently asked questions
Which phones radiate the least?
Current models such as the Fairphone 6 (around 0.49 W/kg), the Samsung Galaxy A36 (around 0.53) and A17, and the Galaxy Z Flip7 are among the lower-radiation devices. Since models change constantly, it is worth checking the current value of your own device.
What is a good SAR value?
A value up to 0.6 watts per kilogram counts as low-radiation and meets the Blue Angel criterion. Up to 2.0, every device stays within the legal limit.
Is a high SAR value dangerous?
All devices sold in the EU stay below the limit at which health effects are meant to be ruled out. As a precaution, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection recommends reducing avoidable exposure.
Where do I find my phone's SAR value?
In the user manual, in the BfS database at bfs.de/sar, or in our SAR-Checker.
The SAR value is a useful reference when buying a phone, but only part of the picture. How you carry your device decides the actual close-body exposure. Check your value and reduce the rest with distance and shielding. Open the TOCA SAR-Checker.