OnePlus, Xiaomi Top List of Phones Emitting Highest Radiation Levels, Samsung Phones Emit Lowest: Report

Xiaomi Mi A1 emits the highest level of radiation in a list of current smartphone models, followed by the OnePlus 5T, according to research conducted the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz). The list of top 16 smartphones emitting the most radiation, compiled by Statista -- based on the data provided by the German body, is majorly dominated by models by Xiaomi and OnePlus, whereas Samsung phones are found to lead the range of least radiation level models. Particularly, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and ZTE Axon Elite have emerged as the lowest radiation-emitting phones with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.17 watts per kilogram.

The list published by Statista shows that the Xiaomi Mi A1 emits the most radiation with a specific absorption rate of 1.74 watts per kilogram, while the OnePlus 5T, which comes second, has an absorption rate of 1.68 watts per kilogram. The Mi Max 3 sits at the third position with the specific absorption rate of 1.58 watts per kilogram. The OnePlus 6T, which is OnePlus' latest flagship, is also amongst the five phones emitting the highest level of radiation with an absorption rate of 1.55 watts per kilogram.

Xiaomi and OnePlus featured heavily in the list of phones emitting the most radiation -- with eight of the top 16 handsets carrying one of their brands. However, the list also includes the iPhone 7 with an absorption rate of 1.38 watts per kilogram -- just next to the OnePlus 5 that is found to have 1.39 watts per kilogram of specific absorption rate.

Xiaomi Mi A1 is claimed to emit the most radiation

Photo Credit: Statista

Statista has also featured premium models, including the Google Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3, and the Apple iPhone 8 that all emit high levels of radiation. However, there isn't any Samsung model on the list.

In contrast, the list of phones emitting the least radiation compiled by Statista does highlight a list of Samsung models, including the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy A8 (2018), Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S7 Edge, and Galaxy S9+. It also has models such as the ZTE Axon Elite, LG G7 ThinQ, HTC U11 Life, and Moto G5 Plus that emit significantly less radiation.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and ZTE Axon Elite are shown emitting least radiation

Photo Credit: Statista

As Martin Armstrong of Statista notes in a post, there isn't any universal guideline for a safe level of phone radiation. However, the German certification for environmental friendliness called 'Der Blaue Engel' (Blue Angel) only certifies models that come with a specific absorption rate of fewer than 0.60 watts per kilogram.

You can take a look at the complete database of phones made by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection to check the level of radiation your phone emits.

Xiaomi has reached out to Gadgets 360 with a statement regarding the Statista report, and said, "All Xiaomi smartphones sold in India comply with the laws for SAR values and are well under the limit. Mi A1 has a SAR value of 1.26 W/kg (head) and 0.17 W/kg (body) in India. Values shared in the said report have been obtained from tests in Germany (where the conditions and standards for SAR testing and values are different from those in India) and thus cannot be compared to SAR values in India. For reference, India has a maximum limit of 1.6 W/kg while in Germany, the limit is 2.0 W/kg."