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Specific Absorption Rate

Mobile phones and SAR

SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate and it is a measure of the rate of radio energy absorption in body tissue. Radio wave exposure limits are expressed as SAR levels in unit W/kg (watts per kilogram).

 

The SAR value is determined at the highest certified power level in laboratory conditions, but the actual SAR level of the phone while operating can be well below this value. This is because the phone is designed to use the minimum power required to reach the network. Therefore, the closer you are to a base station, the more likely it is that the actual SAR level will decrease.

Variations in SAR below the radio frequency exposure guidelines do not mean that there are variations in safety. While there may be differences in SAR levels among mobile phone models, all mobile phone models must be designed to meet radio frequency exposure guidelines.
All new phone models on the market after October 1, 2001, have easy-to-read and up-to-date SAR information in the packaging, including the maximum SAR value.

See also Why you should not compare SAR values. 

Additional information

External links

Sony Ericsson provides SAR information for their mobile phone models on their web site.

Sony Ericsson