Google Pixel 8 vs Google Pixel 2: SAR comparison

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.92 W/kg vs 1.05 W/kg for the Google Pixel 8 (12% 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

Google Pixel 8 vs Google Pixel 2 reported SAR and specs
MeasurementGoogle Pixel 8Google Pixel 2
Head SAR, cellular only (US)1.05 W/kg0.92 W/kg
Body SAR, cellular only (US)0.99 W/kg0.74 W/kg
Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.59 W/kg1.00 W/kg
Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.59 W/kg1.04 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US)0.85 W/kg1.14 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.59 W/kg1.14 W/kg
Display: TypeOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)AMOLED
Display: Size6.2 inches, 91.1 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Display: Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)
Display: ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Hardware: Operating SystemAndroid 14Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11
Hardware: ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3 (4 nm)Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm)
Hardware: CPUNona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo)
Hardware: GPUImmortalis-G715s MC10Adreno 540
Battery: TypeLi-Ion 4575 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable
Battery: Charging27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min (advertised) 18W wireless Reverse wireless10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0
Battery: Battery Test—Endurance rating 75h
Design: TypeBarBar
Design: Dimensions150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm (5.93 x 2.79 x 0.35 in)145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm (5.74 x 2.74 x 0.31 in)
Design: Weight187 g (6.60 oz)143 g (5.04 oz)
Design: ColorsObsidian, Hazel, Rose, MintKinda 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 Google Pixel 8 or the Google Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.92 W/kg vs 1.05 W/kg for the Google Pixel 8 (12% 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 8 or the Google Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower body sar, cellular only (us): 0.74 W/kg vs 0.99 W/kg for the Google Pixel 8 (25% 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 8 or the Google Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 lists the lower hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.14 W/kg vs 1.59 W/kg for the Google Pixel 8 (28% 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 8's highest listed value is 1.59 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 A4RGKWS6 and NM8G011A). Nothing on this page is estimated.

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