A smartphone today is as important to an individual as a car. Oh wait, you can live without a car but not without a smartphone. But, as important that little gizmo is in your life, many say it is also something that’s making your lifespan shorter. Or, is it?
Many studies have surfaced that smartphones emit radiation can cause serious health issues, even cancer. Yet, there is no conclusive proof that it can be considered “hazardous”.
Since it is a cause for worry, a research firm in Germany, Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, which is The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection has released data that shows radiation emitted by smartphones currently on sale around the world as of December 10, 2018.
The data has been compiled based on the amount of hours a user spends talking on the phone, when the device is closer to the ear. Also, the amount of radiation emitted is calculated in “watts per kilogram”unit, and a lower score translates into lower radiation emissions.
This report is a bearer of bad news for most smartphone companies but the ones that have taken a major hit have been OnePlus and Xiaomi. Other brands that ended up on the list are Apple, Motorola, BlackBerry, LG, Motorola, Google, Samsung and ZTE which emit considerable amount of radiation.
You will find more infographics at StatistaAccording to the report, Xiaomi’s Mi A1 has topped the chart of violators with a score of 1.75 watts per kilogram of radiation followed closely by the OnePlus 5T with 1.68. Another Xiaomi device in the top 5 is the Mi Max 3 while the OnePlus 6T is fourth on the list with a score of 1.55.
The Google Pixel 3 XL too has been outed here with a 1.39 score and the iPhone 7 got a score of 1.38 watt per kilogram. The newer iPhones have been relatively better in terms of radiation emissions with the iPhone XR, XS scoring and the XS Max scoring 0.99 and the iPhone X scoring 0.92.
Amidst all of this turmoil for smartphone companies, South Korean smartphone maker Samsung has been the odd one out with comparatively lesser radiation emitting from its mobile phones.
You will find more infographics at StatistaThe Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has topped the chart as the least radiation emitting smartphone with a score of 0.17 while other Samsung phones in the top 5 are the Samsung A8 and the Galaxy S8+.
Chinese smartphone brands like Vivo and Oppo have not features in the list as The German Federal Office for Radiation Protection did not test their phones.
Which of the above lists do you think Vivo and Oppo would be part of?
It’s worth mentioning that there isn’t a specific reading that has been deemed dangerous but the German environmental agency Blue Angel certifies smartphones that have a reading of 0.60 watt per kilogram or lower— which means that many smartphone makers in the market are big offenders.
Cause for concern? It’s time you give it a thought.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)