Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 8: SAR comparison

The Google Pixel 8 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 1.05 W/kg vs 1.11 W/kg for the Google Pixel 8a (5% lower). Reported SAR values in W/kg; lower is shaded green and higher red within each row, for comparison only.

Open in interactive SAR Compare Google Pixel 8a details Google Pixel 8 details

Side-by-side SAR values

Google Pixel 8a vs Google Pixel 8 reported SAR and specs
Measurement	Google Pixel 8a	Google Pixel 8
Head SAR, cellular only (US)	1.11 W/kg	1.05 W/kg
Body SAR, cellular only (US)	0.99 W/kg	0.99 W/kg
Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)	1.59 W/kg	1.59 W/kg
Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)	1.59 W/kg	1.59 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US)	0.83 W/kg	0.85 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)	1.59 W/kg	1.59 W/kg
Display: Type	OLED, HDR, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak)	OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)
Display: Size	6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio)	6.2 inches, 91.1 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Display: Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~430 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)
Display: Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Hardware: Operating System	Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades	Android 14
Hardware: Chipset	Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)	Google Tensor G3 (4 nm)
Hardware: CPU	Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)	Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)
Hardware: GPU	Immortalis-G715s MC10	Immortalis-G715s MC10
Battery: Type	Li-Po 4492 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 4575 mAh, non-removable
Battery: Charging	18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless	27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min (advertised) 18W wireless Reverse wireless
Design: Type	Bar	Bar
Design: Dimensions	152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (5.99 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)	150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm (5.93 x 2.79 x 0.35 in)
Design: Weight	188 g (6.63 oz)	187 g (6.60 oz)
Design: Colors	Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe	Obsidian, Hazel, Rose, Mint

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 8a or the Google Pixel 8?

The Google Pixel 8 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 1.05 W/kg vs 1.11 W/kg for the Google Pixel 8a (5% 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 8a or the Google Pixel 8?

Both list the same body sar, cellular only (us): 0.99 W/kg. 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 8a or the Google Pixel 8?

Both list the same hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.59 W/kg. 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 8a's highest listed value is 1.59 W/kg and the Google Pixel 8'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 A4RG8HHN and A4RGKWS6). Nothing on this page is estimated.

More comparisons

All phone-vs-phone pages · SAR rankings · Research library

Compare any two phones

First phoneSecond phone

Opens a ready-made comparison page when there is one, otherwise the interactive SAR Compare app.