Radiation / Emission from Chinese cell phones? (new info)

[SoftwareEng]

What's up guys, I need to replace my ancient cellphone, and eBay has many high-end "gray" phones, made in & shipped from China, with LOW prices and specs as nice as on the Samsung Galaxy or iPhone 6.

My question: could those Chinese phones have much higher radiation emissions (SAR rating) than the phones for the US market (i.e. approved by the FCC)? Save money but zap your brain?

This octa-core 1.7 GHz Ulefone Be Touch 2 on eBay seems as good as Samsung Galaxy S5 for only $222! Radioactive or OK? Could they be using extra-powerful GSM radios for a better signal and increased risk of cancer? Any way to check? Thanks!

*** UPDATE ***
Holy radioactive smokes!!!

• YouTube video measuring original and clone phones radiation
  
• Consumer Group Says China Cell Radiation Levels Unsafe
  
• Cell Phones and Blood-Brain Barrier: Chinese scientists confirm findings of Swedish Salford group

 

[Yuriman]

The frequency of radiation a cellphone might emit is definitely non-ionizing, so you're not going to get cancer even if they don't follow FCC rules.

 

[Crono]

The frequency of radiation a cellphone might emit is definitely non-ionizing, so you're not going to get cancer even if they don't follow FCC rules.

This is true. It's heat generated from battery or overheating SoC that could potentially be dangerous, but usually that's something you notice before it's an issue (pro tip: avoid direct contact with your groin if you care about bearing progeny ). Battery explosion is also possible, but still a rare occurence (don't buy shady, non-certified third party batteries and you'll probably be fine).

RF burns take a decent amount of power. They can happen from very close proxmity to powerful radio towers and transmitters, but not likely from smartphones (and as far as I know most SoCs nowadays have radios that are designed to be efficient, not put out enough radiation to burn you).

There are environmental factors and chemicals (both natural and manmade) that are far likely to cause you harm than a cheap smartphone, so I wouldn't worry about it. *shakes fist at the sun*

 

[StrangerGuy]

Human psychology is weird, the more unlikely something is going to harm people the more alarmist people react to it. But when it comes to common things they do everyday where statistically a lot of people actually die from stuff like climbing stairs or falling from a slippery floor they don't even bother to give a second thought.

 

[SoftwareEng]

Updated with new info at the top - measurements and research.

 

[LTC8K6]

The meter demo was not impressive. The difference in power could be due to several factors, unrelated to one phone being a clone.

One of the articles was very old, and the new one is just a rehash, imo.

 

[cyclohexane]

This is not a concern. The bigger question should be whether these phones will work on US wireless networks.

 

[JackMDS]

Whether it is Dangerous or not is secondary to the fact that you are anxious about it.

Real or not, living with anxiety is just as destructive as the Phone's "Radiation problem" (if it it actually exists).

That means that as a practical matter it does not worth saving the few hundred $$.

http://www.neowin.net/news/our-review-of-the-ulefone-be-touch

 

[thilanliyan]

Wow that phone looks pretty nice.

This or a used HTC M8....hmmmmmm.....

 

[SoftwareEng]

Whether it is Dangerous or not is secondary to the fact that you are anxious about it.

Real or not, living with anxiety is just as destructive as the Phone's "Radiation problem" (if it it actually exists).

That means that as a practical matter it does not worth saving the few hundred $$.

http://www.neowin.net/news/our-review-of-the-ulefone-be-touch

True that, don't worry, be happy - but the phone in my link is the NEW, 2nd model, while the Neowin site reviewed the older model. The new phone has a nicer screen, camera and battery...

 

[Strk]

Don't forget that you the possibility of no support and zero warranty come with your Chinese phone off of Ebay.

 

[Artdeco]

I gotta tell you, standing out in the sunlight probably exposes you to more radiation than any phone.

 

[Fardringle]

I'd hesitate to buy a cheap Chinese phone for this reason as well as the others already mentioned: http://news.softpedia.com/news/24-c...-come-with-pre-installed-malware-490930.shtml

 

[mmntech]

No, radio waves don't cause cancer or nuke your brain. The radiation is non-ionizing, and the power level is far too low to cause any damage. Even if they are outside FCC regulations. You have a bigger cancer risk from just going outside on a sunny day than using your phone.

If that Watchamacallit phone bothers you though, look into something like the Asus Zenfone 2 or the Alcatel Idol 3. Both come in at the same price, have similar specs, but are from reputable companies.

 

[Zahid Iqbal]

chinese phones are worst by SAR. If you care about SAR, then choose only Samsung