Apple has announced its intention to address the concerns raised by France’s radiation watchdog, the ANFR, regarding the iPhone 12. This will be done through the implementation of a software update on the iPhone 12. The French agency issued a public statement earlier this week, formally announcing that the iPhone 12 is found to exceed radiation levels. Additionally, it advised Apple to suspend sales of iPhone 12 and promptly implement a solution.
However, Apple is planning to release a software update specifically tailored for users in France in order to align with the protocol mandated by French regulators. “We eagerly anticipate the continued availability of the iPhone 12 in France,” stated an Apple spokesperson in response to inquiries from Reuters, AFP, and Euronews. This relates to a specific testing procedure that French regulators use, and it poses no safety issues.
When a mobile device manufacturer introduces a new smartphone, the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) conducts multiple assessments of Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) within its laboratory facilities. There are various international radiation regulatory agencies that exist worldwide, and compliance with their guidelines is standard procedure for hardware manufacturers.
For example, according to the European Union, it is recommended that the human body should not be exposed to radiation exceeding 2W/kg over a mass of 10g of tissue. This method mimics the effects people experience when holding their mobile phones close to their ears.
Apple’s iPhone 12 currently falls below the specified threshold. However, it is worth noting that the ANFR monitors a separate absorption rate specifically for the limbs. The objective of the French agency is to gain insight into the physiological effects on the hand when holding a phone, as well as the impact on the leg when a phone is placed in a pants pocket.
Under those circumstances, the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) conducted a measurement of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and obtained a value of 5.74 W/kg, surpassing the established limit of 4 W/kg. Apologies for the mistake.
According to multiple experts, the iPhone 12 remains significantly below the radiation threshold associated with potential health hazards. Certainly, when one violates the established regulations, appropriate action must be taken.
It has come to your attention that Apple has recently introduced a range of new mobile devices during the course of this week. The topic of discussion today has quickly shifted to the radiation levels of the iPhone 12, which has gained significant attention within a short span of time. A French government official granted an interview to a newspaper, which subsequently drew attention from Reuters. The Dutch digital regulatory body expressed interest in seeking clarification, while Belgium initiated its own examination. Additionally, the German telecommunications regulator made contact with its French counterpart in response to the situation.
The French agency initially stated that the matter would be resolved through a software update aimed at adjusting the internal components of the iPhone 12 to comply with regulatory standards. Otherwise, Apple would have been required to initiate a recall of all iPhone 12 devices in France, an outcome the company is undoubtedly keen to prevent.
The regulator’s decision was accurate, while other factors were merely distractions. To clarify, the iPhone 12 issue is expected to be resolved within a few days, and it is anticipated that it will no longer be a topic of concern within a few weeks.
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