Apple iPhone 7 vs Apple iPhone 7 Plus: SAR comparison

The Apple iPhone 7 Plus lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 1.09 W/kg vs 1.10 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 7 (1% lower). Reported SAR values in W/kg; lower is shaded green and higher red within each row, for comparison only.

Side-by-side SAR values

Apple iPhone 7 vs Apple iPhone 7 Plus reported SAR and specs
MeasurementApple iPhone 7Apple iPhone 7 Plus
Head SAR, cellular only (US)1.10 W/kg1.09 W/kg
Body SAR, cellular only (US)1.14 W/kg1.10 W/kg
Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.49 W/kg1.45 W/kg
Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.56 W/kg1.51 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US)n/a1.13 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.16 W/kg1.58 W/kg
Display: TypeRetina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ)
Display: Size4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Display: Resolution750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Display: ProtectionIon-strengthened glassIon-strengthened glass
Hardware: Operating SystemiOS 10.0.1, upgradable to iOS 15.7iOS 10.0.1, upgradable to iOS 15.7
Hardware: ChipsetApple A10 Fusion (16 nm)Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm)
Hardware: CPUQuad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr)Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr)
Hardware: GPUPowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics)PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics)
Battery: TypeLi-Ion 1960 mAh, non-removable (7.45 Wh)Li-Ion 2900 mAh, non-removable (11.1 Wh)
Battery: Battery TestEndurance rating 61hEndurance rating 75h
Design: TypeBarBar
Design: Dimensions138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in)158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in)
Design: Weight138 g (4.87 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Design: ColorsJet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, RedJet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red

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 7 or the Apple iPhone 7 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 7 Plus lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 1.09 W/kg vs 1.10 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 7 (1% 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 7 or the Apple iPhone 7 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 7 Plus lists the lower body sar, cellular only (us): 1.10 W/kg vs 1.14 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 7 (4% 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 7 or the Apple iPhone 7 Plus?

The Apple iPhone 7 lists the lower hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.16 W/kg vs 1.58 W/kg for the Apple iPhone 7 Plus (27% 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 7's highest listed value is 1.56 W/kg and the Apple iPhone 7 Plus's is 1.58 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-E3085A and BCG-E3087A). Nothing on this page is estimated.

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