RF Safe

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 2: SAR comparison

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.92 W/kg vs 1.01 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (9% lower). Reported SAR values in W/kg; lower is shaded green and higher red within each row, for comparison only.

Open in interactive SAR CompareApple iPhone 16 Pro Max detailsGoogle Pixel 2 details

Side-by-side SAR values

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Google Pixel 2 reported SAR and specs
MeasurementApple iPhone 16 Pro MaxGoogle Pixel 2
Head SAR, cellular only (US)1.01 W/kg0.92 W/kg
Body SAR, cellular only (US)1.15 W/kg0.74 W/kg
Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.41 W/kg1.00 W/kg
Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.55 W/kg1.04 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US)1.15 W/kg1.14 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.55 W/kg1.14 W/kg
Display: TypeLTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)AMOLED
Display: Size6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~91.4% screen-to-body ratio)5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Display: Resolution1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)
Display: ProtectionCeramic Shield glass (2024 gen)Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Hardware: Operating SystemiOS 18Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11
Hardware: ChipsetApple A18 Pro (3 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
Hardware: CPUHexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.X GHz)Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
Hardware: GPUApple GPU (6-core graphics)Adreno 540
Battery: TypeLi-Ion, non-removableLi-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable
Battery: ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min (advertised) 25W wireless (MagSafe), 15W wireless (China only) 15W wireless (Qi2) 4.5W reverse wired10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0
Battery: Battery Test—Endurance rating 75h
Design: TypeBarBar
Design: Dimensions163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 3.06 x 0.33 in)145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm (5.74 x 2.74 x 0.31 in)
Design: Weight227 g (8.01 oz)143 g (5.04 oz)
Design: ColorsBlack Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert TitaniumKinda Blue, Just Black, Clearly White

Colors make differences within the same measurement easy to see. They do not label a phone safe or unsafe. US values use 1 g of tissue and the 1.6 W/kg limit; EU values use 10 g and 2 W/kg, so don't mix them. What SAR tells you.

Questions and answers

Which has lower head SAR, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.92 W/kg vs 1.01 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (9% lower). Values are reported maximums from FCC filings as listed in the RF Safe dataset, in W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue.

Which has lower body SAR, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower body sar, cellular only (us): 0.74 W/kg vs 1.15 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (36% lower). Values are reported maximums from FCC filings as listed in the RF Safe dataset, in W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue.

Which has lower hotspot SAR (Wi-Fi + cellular), the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.14 W/kg vs 1.55 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (26% lower). Values are reported maximums from FCC filings as listed in the RF Safe dataset, in W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue.

What is the highest reported SAR value for each phone?

Across the six US measurements, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max's highest listed value is 1.55 W/kg and the Google Pixel 2's is 1.14 W/kg. The FCC limit for the head and body is 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram. Wi-Fi + cellular values are simultaneous-transmission sums and are evaluated differently, so read each row on its own.

Does a lower SAR mean a phone is safer?

No. SAR is a lab compliance measurement taken at maximum power. Everyday exposure depends on signal strength, distance from the body and which radios are active. Use SAR to compare phones, not as a health score.

Where do these numbers come from?

From the RF Safe SAR dataset, compiled from FCC equipment authorization filings (FCC ID BCG-E8684A and NM8G011A). Nothing on this page is estimated.

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