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​iPhones 'emit double the radiation' of Galaxy handsets: Korean agency

Apple's iPhones have double the electromagnetic waves absorption rate of Samsung's Galaxy series, according to data from South Korea's National Radio Research Agency presented during a committee hearing.
Written by Cho Mu-Hyun, Contributing Writer

Apple's iPhones and iPads had the highest electromagnetic radiation specific absorption rate (SAR) out of electronic devices sold in South Korea, a national assemblyman claimed, citing data from a state-backed research agency.

At a hearing on Tuesday, assemblyman Choi Myung-gil of the country's telecom committee said data from the National Radio Research Agency shows the average radiation SAR for iPhones was 1.166 watts per kilogram (W/kg).

Samsung's, in comparison, showed an average of 0.517W/kg, for products launched this year.

SAR represents the quantity the humans or animals absorb electromagnetic radiations from electronics. For handsets, it measures the rate of absorption when placed near the ear.

In South Korea, the safest rate, tier 1, is given to devices when below 0.8W/kg, and tier 2 for those over that and below 1.6W/kg. The country limits radiation to 1.6W/kg, less than the international limit of 2W/kg.

Choi said six products distributed by Apple in Korea from 2014 to April this year received a tier 2.

iPad Pro 9.7, approved on April 15 by the agency for sale, had the highest rate of 1.192W/kg. For the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S it was 1.17W/kg and 1.15W/kg, respectively.

Samsung's 49 products -- smartphones and tablets -- all received a tier-1 grading. Out of LG's 52 products, only 14 received tier 1 and rest were tier 2.

The SARs from products of all manufacturers, however, was steadily rising, raising health concerns, said Choi, asking the government to put in more efforts to protect public health.

Meanwhile, pre-order sales for the Galaxy Note 7 are expected to resume on Wednesday in South Korea, following the global recall.

iPhone 7 is yet to start sales in the country. Local analysts expect the phone to sell more than 100 million units, thanks to rival Samsung's recall for the Note 7.

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