Your iPhones might be great at taking pictures but while sitting snuggly in your pocket they might be doing more harm than good. According to a South Korean agency, Apple products have alarming levels of radiations when compared to its archrival, Samsung.
According to FCC, "SAR is a measure of the rate of RF (radiofrequency) energy absorption by the body from the source being measured - in this case, a cell phone. SAR provides a straightforward means for measuring the RF exposure characteristics of cell phones to ensure that they are within the safety guidelines."
Though the effect of radio emissions in real life scenarios have a varying effect, the SAR value indicates the highest level of absorption rate facilitated by the product in question. According to a report by ZDNet, an assemblyman of the National Radio Research Agency of South Korea claims that the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus have twice the average SAR value in comparison to Samsung phones.
The report claims the iPhones had an average radiation SAR of 1.166 watts per kilogram (W/kg) whereas the Samsung devices that launched this year had an average of 0.517W/kg.
The report also claims that even other Apple devices like the iPad Pro has topped the list of maximum SAR value in South Korea.
ALSO READ:The Mobile Store introduces buyback schemes for iPhone 7 Where the sudden revelation of iPhone SAR values right before the launch of the device might seem like a calculated move by the South Korean country--- which is also home to Apple's main competitor, Samsung-- the statistics cannot be denied.
These statistics look worrisome for Apple enthusiasts but the SAR value is just one aspect of the radiation produced by smartphones. The tests are conducted in laboratory-conditions which try to mimic daily scenarios where the device is not in direct contact with the skin. If these tests are conducted without a layer of clothing or a phone cover, most phones will fail the SAR standards.
Smartphones emit varying levels of radiation depending on their use. For instance, most phones measure the highest SAR values while being used as a hotspot, while the same phones record low SAR values on stand-by.
If the user is concerned about the probable effect of radiation, they can reduce it dramatically by using earphones or handsfree while talking on the phone and keeping it at safe distance while sleeping.
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