Google Pixel 2 vs Google Pixel 2 XL: SAR comparison
The Google Pixel 2 XL lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.26 W/kg vs 0.92 W/kg for the Google Pixel 2 (72% 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
| Measurement | Google Pixel 2 | Google Pixel 2 XL |
|---|---|---|
| Head SAR, cellular only (US) | 0.92 W/kg | 0.26 W/kg |
| Body SAR, cellular only (US) | 0.74 W/kg | 0.77 W/kg |
| Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US) | 1.00 W/kg | 1.00 W/kg |
| Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US) | 1.04 W/kg | n/a |
| Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US) | 1.14 W/kg | 1.18 W/kg |
| Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US) | 1.14 W/kg | 1.18 W/kg |
| Display: Type | AMOLED | P-OLED |
| Display: Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display: Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) |
| Display: Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Hardware: Operating System | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Hardware: Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| Hardware: CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Hardware: GPU | Adreno 540 | Adreno 540 |
| Battery: Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3520 mAh, non-removable |
| Battery: Battery Test | Endurance rating 75h | Endurance rating 88h |
| Battery: Charging | 10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0 | 10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0 |
| Design: Type | Bar | Bar |
| Design: Dimensions | 145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm (5.74 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| Design: Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Design: Colors | Kinda Blue, Just Black, Clearly White | Just Black, Black & 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 Google Pixel 2 or the Google Pixel 2 XL?
The Google Pixel 2 XL lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.26 W/kg vs 0.92 W/kg for the Google Pixel 2 (72% 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 Google Pixel 2 or the Google Pixel 2 XL?
The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower body sar, cellular only (us): 0.74 W/kg vs 0.77 W/kg for the Google Pixel 2 XL (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 Google Pixel 2 or the Google Pixel 2 XL?
The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.14 W/kg vs 1.18 W/kg for the Google Pixel 2 XL (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 Google Pixel 2's highest listed value is 1.14 W/kg and the Google Pixel 2 XL's is 1.18 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 NM8G011A and ZNFG011C). Nothing on this page is estimated.