iPhones Emit 2X The Radiation of Samsung Smartphones, South Korean Agency Says

Citing information from the National Radio Research Agency, assemblyman Choi Myung-gil said on Tuesday that iPhones had an average radiation SAR of 1.166 watts per kilogram (W/kg), ZDNet reported. This is more than twice the radiation of Samsung products launched this year, which had an average of 0.517W/kg.

SAR stands for specific absorption rate. It tells the amount of radiation absorbed by humans from electronic devices placed near the ear.

Choi maintained that Apple products, including iPads, had the highest SAR out of all devices sold in South Korea, where the safest rate, tier 1, is given to devices emitting less than 0.8W/kg. Tier 2 devices are those above tier 1 and below 1.6W/kg.

The 9.7-inch iPad Pro took the topmost spot with 1.192W/kg, while the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S had 1.17W/kg and 1.15W/kg, respectively.

On the other hand, 49 Samsung smartphones and tablets had a tier 1 rate. South Korea limits radiation to 1.6W/kg, or 0.4W below the international limit.

Concerns over electromagnetic radiation have increased in conjunction with the rise of electronic devices. For one, neuroscientist Dr. Olle Johansson listed several effects including DNA alteration, increased allergy symptoms, potential link to some cancers and reduced efficacy of drugs such as , among others.