Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g vs Google Pixel 9: SAR comparison

The Google Pixel 9 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.87 W/kg vs 1.09 W/kg for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g (20% 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

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g vs Google Pixel 9 reported SAR and specs
MeasurementSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5gGoogle Pixel 9
Head SAR, cellular only (US)1.09 W/kg0.87 W/kg
Body SAR, cellular only (US)1.19 W/kg0.99 W/kg
Head SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.59 W/kg1.59 W/kg
Body SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.57 W/kg1.59 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, cellular only (US)1.19 W/kg0.85 W/kg
Hotspot SAR, Wi-Fi + cellular (US)1.56 W/kg1.59 W/kg
Display: TypeDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (HBM), 2700 nits (peak)
Display: Size6.9 inches, 115.9 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 94.7 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Display: Resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)1080 x 2424 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~422 ppi density)
Display: ProtectionCorning Gorilla Armor 2, Mohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Hardware: Operating SystemAndroid 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.5Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades
Hardware: ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
Hardware: CPUOcta-core (2x4.74 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.92 GHz Cortex-A520)
Hardware: GPUAdreno 840Mali-G715 MC7
Battery: TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removable
Battery: Charging60W wired, PD3.0, 75% in 30 min 25W wireless (Qi2.2) 4.5W reverse wireless27W 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: Dimensions163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 in)152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.33 in)
Design: Weight214 g (7.55 oz)198 g (6.98 oz)
Design: ColorsCobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink GoldObsidian, 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g or the Google Pixel 9?

The Google Pixel 9 lists the lower head sar, cellular only (us): 0.87 W/kg vs 1.09 W/kg for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g (20% 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g or the Google Pixel 9?

The Google Pixel 9 lists the lower body sar, cellular only (us): 0.99 W/kg vs 1.19 W/kg for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g (17% 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g or the Google Pixel 9?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g lists the lower hotspot sar, wi-fi + cellular (us): 1.56 W/kg vs 1.59 W/kg for the Google Pixel 9 (2% 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 5g's highest listed value is 1.59 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 A3LSMS948U and A4RGUR25). Nothing on this page is estimated.

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