Analysis of SAR exposure in 3G, 4G, 5G and emerging 6G mobile communication technologies on the human head Phantom model

The rapid evolution of mobile communication technologies from 3G to 4G, 5G, and now toward emerging 6G systems has renewed concerns about the potential health impacts of electromagnetic radiation emitted by cellular phones. The Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which quantifies the rate at which radiofrequency (RF) energy is absorbed by human head, remains a critical parameter for evaluating exposure safety. While SAR and thermal effects have been extensively studied for earlier generations, the 6G frequency regime (100 GHz–1 THz) has not yet been systematically examined. In this study, we perform a comprehensive comparative analysis of SAR distributions across 3G, 4G, 5G and 6G technologies using a realistic human head phantom model simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics. The results reveal a clear frequency-dependent increase in localized SAR and temperature rise with 6G exhibiting the highest energy absorption near superficial tissues. Moreover, the study investigates usage-dependent variations, which showing that high-data activities such as mobile gaming significantly elevate SAR exposure levels compared with voice or browsing scenarios. These findings provide new insights into bioelectromagnetic interactions at terahertz frequencies, which highlighting the need for updated exposure guidelines and informing future safety regulations for 6G-enabled devices.