Apple swiftly takes action to address concerns raised by France's radiation watchdog regarding the iPhone 12 by launching a new software update for the affected model.
It didn't take a week for the iPhone maker to arrive at this decision even though it previously denied that the said smartphone passed the French standards.
French Watchdog on iPhone 12's Radiation Exposure Risk
Earlier this week, France's national radiation watchdog, ANFR (Agence Nationale des fréquences), issued a public statement, expressing concerns about the radiation levels emitted by the iPhone 12.
ANFR claimed that the iPhone 12 exceeded acceptable radiation limits and urged Apple to suspend iPhone 12 sales in France until the issue was resolved.
In response to these concerns, Apple announced its intention to release a software update designed specifically for users in France, according to TechCrunch. This update aims to align the iPhone 12 with the testing protocol prescribed by French regulators.
The company emphasized that this adjustment is not related to safety concerns but rather pertains to compliance with French testing standards.
An Apple spokesperson clarified the company's position on the issue.
"We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France," the spokesperson told Euronews and Politico.
Related Article: Are iPhone 12 Users at Risk of Radiation? Belgium Investigating Phones to Ensure People's Safety
Understanding SAR Measurements
Central to this issue are Specific Absorption Rates (SAR), measurements used to assess the absorption of radiation by the human body when exposed to a device. Different countries have varying SAR limits, and compliance is essential for the safety of consumers.
The European Union, for instance, sets an SAR limit of 2W/kg over 10g of tissue for devices like smartphones when held close to the body.
ANFR's Unique Testing Protocol
While the iPhone 12 complies with most SAR standards, ANFR employs a distinct protocol that measures SAR values concerning limbs, such as hands or legs, when a phone is in proximity. Under this specific testing, the iPhone 12 exhibited a SAR of 5.74 W/kg, slightly surpassing the 4 W/kg limit.
What Experts Say About Radiation Levels Emitted by iPhone 12
Experts suggest that the iPhone 12's radiation levels remain below thresholds associated with severe health risks. However, regulatory compliance is paramount, prompting Apple's rapid response to rectify the situation.
With a forthcoming software update tailored to meet French standards, Apple aims to resolve this issue promptly. It's expected that once the adjustments are made, the iPhone 12 will continue to be available in France without further concerns.
In another report, the battery capabilities of the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max are seen in a Chinese regulatory database.
According to the filing, the 2023 lineup of iPhones is deemed to be usable for longer hours than the iPhone 14 models of 2022.
