Video:Top 5 List: Phones With Lowest SAR

Transcript:Top 5 List: Phones With Lowest SAR

Hi, I'm Shane Murphy, your technology guru for About.com. Today, we'll look at the different phones on the market that have the lowest measured SAR.

Meaning of SAR

SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate; it represents the amount of radio frequency radiation absorbed by a kg of body mass, in this case while using your cell phone. These numbers are calculated by tests run by the Federal Communications Commission where the cell phone is held up to the ear to simulate talking. If you're looking to lower your SAR while still keeping your mobile options as wide open as possible, you can use a Bluetooth headset or talk on speaker phone, since keeping the phone away from your head will dramatically lower your SAR into safe zones for any model cell phone. If that's not an option, then you should consider these mobiles.

Lowest SAR Phones: Samsung Blue Earth

The absolute lowest SAR causing phone available is the Samsung Blue Earth, responsible for only .196 watts per kilogram, less than 1/8 of the FCC's 1.6 watts per kilogram requirement. Being advertised as an eco-phone, this cell is made from recycled materials and even features a solar panel on the back for charging. The downside is that the Blue Earth's 3 inch touchscreen feels a little small, it lacks a full keyboard, and it doesn't support 3G connectivity. Many of the other standards for smart phones are functionally intact, such as a robust media player, web browser, and more.

Lowest SAR Phones: Pantech Breeze III

Pantech's Breeze III is designed to be an easy functioning, entry level flip-phone for those of us who don't want anything too complicated out of a mobile device, or on a tight budget. The light, comfortable design covers all of the basics: text messaging, email, basic picture taking, and most importantly crystal clear calls. The Breeze produces a SAR of only .281 watts per kilogram.

Lowest SAR Phones: Samsung Replenish

If you're looking for an Android-powered smart phone with a candy bar style and full QWERTY keyboard, Samsung offers the Replenish for a pricetag of $300 sans plan and a SAR of only .300 watts per kilogram. As an entry level smart phone, the Replenish has a bit of a small touchscreen at 2.8 inches, a cramped keyboard, and only a 2 MP camera; a little underwhelming for Android-powered phones. But the Froyo operating system works splendidly regardless and it can perform all of the staples of smart phones, just a little slower.

Lowest SAR Phones: T-Mobile Sidekick 4G

The T-Mobile Sidekick 4G is one of your best bets for getting a 4G Android-run smart phone with a low SAR, only .340 watts per kilogram. For $80 with a two year plan, you get a touchscreen phone with the Sidekick's signature flip out screen to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard including a line for numbers. The phone's interface feels a little slow sometimes, but otherwise the media prowess of this new Sidekick is fantastic, complete with a 5 MP camera, 480x800 pixel display, and dedicated headphone jack.

Lowest SAR Phones: HTC Surround

Finally, if you're looking for a fully powered 1 gHz processor smart phone with a large, sharp touchscreen at 480x800 pixels that also has a relatively low SAR at .439, look no further than the HTC Surround. This cell's name issues from its ability to reveal large Dolby Mobile surround sound speakers and sit back on a stand, perfect for watching movies or listening to music. The Surround covers all of its traditional bases as well: a sturdy, metal rimmed frame holds a 5 MP camera and a streamlined messaging interface for email and texts.

The jury is still out on whether SAR levels caused by cell phones are high enough to be harmful. Until more research is available, sticking with low emition phones is your best bet if you want to be definitively safe. Check out About.com's dedicated cell phone channel for more help with picking your next mobile model. Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit About.com!