When most people think about cellphone radiation, they worry about their brain. That made sense in the 1990s, when phones had antennas at the top. Back then, standards were created specifically to test radiation at the ear, because the brain was considered the primary area at risk. But phones have changed drastically—and quietly, the most radiation-sensitive part of your head might now be your neck.
Let’s unpack exactly how this happened, why it’s so deceptive, and what you need to know.
📱 How Antennas Quietly Shifted to the Bottom of Your Phone
When cellphone technology first arrived, antennas were visibly sticking out of the top of phones. You probably remember them—big chunky devices with stubby antennas at the very top edge, near your ear. The radiation hotspot was at the top because that’s where the antenna transmitted its signal.
As technology evolved, manufacturers wanted sleeker phones, so antennas moved inside. Even then, early smartphones typically kept the main antenna near the top third of the device, keeping radiation measurements near the user’s ear and skull—areas that were heavily tested and regulated.
But something changed in the last several years, particularly in phones like the newer Samsung Galaxy models. Manufacturers started placing the main antenna at the very bottom edge of the phone, far away from the traditional test sensor position near the ear. This seemingly innocent design tweak had huge consequences—radiation shifted from your skull directly down to your neck, right over your thyroid gland.
Look closely at the graphic provided. Notice how early phones kept antennas safely away from the thyroid, while recent models have quietly placed the antenna exactly where your thyroid is most vulnerable.
🔬 Why Your Thyroid is Uniquely at Risk
Unlike your brain, which is shielded by a thick skull, your thyroid gland has almost no protective barrier—just soft skin tissue. It’s highly sensitive, incredibly vascular (meaning lots of blood flow), and full of iodine-rich cells. This makes it a prime absorber of radiation energy.
Recent studies (like the 2025 study by Ramelet et al.) highlight just how vulnerable the thyroid is, especially in developing animals exposed to realistic 5G radiation. After just two weeks of exposure, the young rats had clear signs of thyroid damage—enlarged structures and a significantly reduced Thyroid Activation Index, clear markers of decreased thyroid activity, which can severely impact metabolism, growth, mood, and cognitive development.
In short, your thyroid matters deeply—especially in children and young adults. A thyroid that doesn’t function properly can lead to lifelong health complications. Putting antennas right next to this sensitive gland might be one of the biggest health oversights in modern cellphone design.
🧪 The SAR Testing Loophole: How Companies “Hide” Radiation Exposure
When radiation standards (known as SAR, or Specific Absorption Rate) were set in 1996, phones were designed with antennas near the top. Regulators decided to measure how much radiation the human head absorbed from the antenna positioned at ear level. A plastic model filled with special fluid (called a SAR phantom) was used to simulate human tissue. Phones had to pass these tests to show they were “safe” for use.
But here’s the catch—companies discovered clever loopholes:
Loophole #1: Move the Antenna to the Bottom
By placing antennas at the bottom, companies ensured the main radiation hotspot was far from the sensor used during testing. The phantom head measured less radiation exposure at the ear because the antenna was further away, artificially lowering reported SAR values. But in the real world, you’re now placing the radiation directly onto your neck, not your ear. The tests don’t show this critical shift, meaning the lower SAR numbers you’re seeing aren’t protecting you at all—they’re hiding the true exposure.
Loophole #2: Distance Games
The FCC guidelines, set decades ago, allowed testing at a distance of between 5 and 15 mm away from the SAR sensor. Originally, this flexibility was meant to accommodate belt clips, popular back in the ’90s. However, in modern use, phones often rest directly against your body—0 mm away. Companies like Samsung frequently test at the full 15 mm distance, which greatly reduces the measured SAR because of a basic law of physics (the inverse square law)—radiation levels drop significantly even at small distances.
But here’s the problem: when you hold your phone against your head or store it in your pocket, you’re not at 15 mm—you’re at nearly zero distance. The radiation your body actually absorbs is far higher than the SAR value companies report. This gives consumers a false sense of safety.
In contrast, Apple, for instance, tests closer to real-life conditions at 5 mm. Their reported SAR might appear higher, but it more accurately reflects real-world exposure. A “lower SAR” phone using the 15 mm loophole doesn’t actually emit less radiation—it’s simply tested under conditions you’re unlikely ever to experience in day-to-day use.
🚨 The Bottom Line: A Silent Shift With Serious Consequences
When you combine the antenna relocation with outdated and easily manipulated testing standards, you realize why the thyroid gland is silently becoming a hotspot for radiation exposure. This quiet shift—moving the antenna away from the ear-testing area down to your unprotected neck—is one of the most deceptive design practices in modern phone history.
The implications are clear:
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Consumers mistakenly believe lower reported SAR equals safer radiation levels, unaware that antennas moved away from tested areas towards more sensitive, unshielded tissues.
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Younger users are especially at risk, as developing thyroids and brains are particularly sensitive to disruption from chronic radiation exposure.
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Regulatory loopholes from outdated FCC rules perpetuate misleading SAR claims, failing to protect public health adequately.
✅ Practical Steps You Can Take Right Now
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Always use speaker mode or wired air-tube headsets. Keep the phone away from your neck.
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Choose phones tested at realistic distances (5 mm or less) to understand true exposure levels.
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Invest in RF-shielding phone cases designed to specifically protect against radiation from the lower bezel of the phone.
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Educate your family about keeping phones away from the neck—especially during long calls or when streaming videos, where the phone tends to rest against the neck for extended periods.
🏛️ Policy Changes We Urgently Need
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Require new SAR testing at 0–2 mm distances—no more outdated 15 mm loopholes.
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Mandate additional SAR testing for the thyroid and other sensitive tissues, not just at the ear and head.
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Update FCC radiation standards to reflect real-world phone use in the 21st century, particularly the use by children and teenagers.
🔑 Your Takeaway
The move of cellphone antennas to the bottom of phones—and directly onto your thyroid—is no accident. It’s part of a broader strategy that exploits outdated regulations to achieve artificially low SAR ratings at the expense of your health.
Until the testing rules and standards are updated to accurately reflect today’s phone use, understanding this issue and taking protective steps is your best defense.
For more on this and related issues, stay informed at rfsafe.com.