RF Safe

Apple iPhone 16 vs Google Pixel 9: SAR comparison

The Google Pixel 9 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.87 W/kg vs 1.08 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 (19% 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 detailsGoogle Pixel 9 details

Side-by-side SAR values

Apple iPhone 16 vs Google Pixel 9 reported SAR and specs
MeasurementApple iPhone 16Google Pixel 9
Head SAR, cellular only (US)1.08 W/kg0.87 W/kg
Body SAR, cellular only (US)1.17 W/kg0.99 W/kg
Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.49 W/kg1.59 W/kg
Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.54 W/kg1.59 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US)1.17 W/kg0.85 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.54 W/kg1.59 W/kg
Display: TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM)OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (HBM), 2700 nits (peak)
Display: Size6.1 inches, 91.7 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 94.7 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Display: Resolution1179 x 2556 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1080 x 2424 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~422 ppi density)
Display: ProtectionCeramic Shield glass (2024 gen)Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Hardware: Operating SystemiOS 18Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Hardware: ChipsetApple A18 (3 nm)Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
Hardware: CPUHexa-coreOcta-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)
Hardware: GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Mali-G715 MC7
Battery: TypeLi-Ion, non-removableLi-Ion 4700 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 wired27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 55% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (w/ Pixel Stand) 12W wireless (w/ Qi compatible charger) Reverse wireless
Design: TypeBarBar
Design: Dimensions147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.82 x 0.31 in)152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in)
Design: Weight170 g (6.00 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
Design: ColorsBlack, White, Pink, Teal, UltramarineObsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony

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 or the Google Pixel 9?

The Google Pixel 9 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.87 W/kg vs 1.08 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 (19% 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 or the Google Pixel 9?

The Google Pixel 9 lists the lower body sar, cellular only (us): 0.99 W/kg vs 1.17 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 16 (15% 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 or the Google Pixel 9?

The Apple iPhone 16 lists the lower hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.54 W/kg vs 1.59 W/kg for the Google Pixel 9 (3% 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's highest listed value is 1.54 W/kg and the Google Pixel 9's is 1.59 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-E8688A and A4RGUR25). Nothing on this page is estimated.

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