France demands Apple pull iPhone 12 due to high RF radiation levels
September 13, 2023 By Bill Toulas
The Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) has asked Apple to withdraw iPhone 12 smartphones from the French market because the device emits radiofrequency energy that is beyond the limit permitted to be absorbed by the human body.
The agency tested over 140 mobile devices from various vendors to check for compliance with specific absorption rate (SAR) values.
SAR is a a measure of the rate of RF (radiofrequency) energy absorption by the body from a source that is measured, a mobile phone in this case. It provides a means to evaluate exposure to the transfer of energy by radio waves.
Surprising since Apple does extensive RF testing and has to pass FCC tests as well. I’m curious also why just the 12, and not any phones before or after? I believe there is something else missing here.
Surprising since Apple does extensive RF testing and has to pass FCC tests as well. I’m curious also why just the 12, and not any phones before or after? I believe there is something else missing here.
Well…
“The agency tested over 140 mobile devices from various vendors to check for compliance with specific absorption rate (SAR) values.”
Sorry, let me correct my statement: “...why not any other iPhones before or after the 12?”
I suspect that the phones are very similar in output. I also wonder how many of each phone they tried to make sure they did not just get a faulty one?
I am not saying this did not happen, I am just surprised to hear it knowing what Apple does in testing hardware.
Sorry, let me correct my statement: “...why not any other iPhones before or after the 12?”
I suspect that the phones are very similar in output. I also wonder how many of each phone they tried to make sure they did not just get a faulty one?
I am not saying this did not happen, I am just surprised to hear it knowing what Apple does in testing hardware.
Who knows, time to do some research!
It’s been said for years that phones will fry our brains and I remember my wife used to tell me to (back when we were dating many years ago) to stop keeping my phone near my groin for what the phone might fry!
Unless there’s medical proof from a person it’s hard to say but then it’s too late by then
Apple to update iPhone 12 in France over radiation
4 hours ago
Image source, Getty Images
By Tom Gerken
Technology reporter
Apple will update its iPhone 12 in France after fears about radiation, the country's digital minister says.
Jean-Noel Barrot said Apple would deliver a software update for users in the country in the coming days.
Sales of iPhone 12 were halted in France after a regulator detected too much electromagnetic radiation. Apple was told to fix the issue.
The firm said the new update would only apply to users in France, where it said a specific testing protocol existed.
The American tech giant suggested the radiation findings were a result of that testing regime, and that it was "not a safety concern".
The planned update raises questions over Apple's plans for iPhone 12, which was released just three years ago, in other countries.
Mr Barrot said that the radio frequency regulator (ANFR) would test the new update to check its compliance before iPhone 12 is allowed back on sale in the country.
The World Health Organization has previously sought to allay fears about radiation emitted by mobile phones.
It says on its website there is no evidence to conclude that exposure to low level electromagnetic fields is harmful to humans.
In a statement sent to AFP news agency, Apple said the radiation finding in France was "related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern".
It said the iPhone 12 complied with emissions rules worldwide, but it would "issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators".
Apple Inc., facing a controversy in France over the iPhone 12’s radiation levels, has advised tech-support staff not to volunteer any information when consumers ask about the issue.
that the model exceeds standards for electromagnetic radiation, workers should say they don’t have anything to share, Apple employees have been told. Staff should also reject customers’ requests to return or exchange the phone unless it was purchased in the past two weeks — Apple’s normal return policy.
Customers asking if the phone is safe should be told that all Apple products go through rigorous testing to ensure that they’re safe, according to the guidance.
An Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max.Photographer: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg
The French government asked Apple earlier this week to cease sales of the iPhone 12 because tests showed that the device emits electromagnetic waves that are too strong. The country’s digital minister told Apple it has two weeks to fix the issue via a software update.
Apple rebutted the claims and said it would engage with France to show that the iPhone 12 is compliant. The Cupertino, California-based technology giant said it provided officials with in-house and third-party lab testing to demonstrate that the product is within the legal range.
Apple was already phasing out the iPhone 12 just as the issue flared up. The model debuted in 2020, and Apple stopped selling it Tuesday with the announcement of the iPhone 15 line. But France’s stance threatens to spark concern among the millions of existing
iPhone 12 users. Apple sold more than 100 million units of the device within its first seven months on sale, according to Counterpoint Research.
In the days since France’s initial statement, other countries in the European Union, including Belgium and Germany, have started to assess the iPhone 12’s radiation levels.
I used a Gmail address and if I get any I will mark as SPAM!
Well, I suspect that new update will simply turn down the maximum power on the radios. I suspect it will mean more dropped calls and issues with coverage in some fringe areas however.
Disclaimer: I am not (no longer) an Apple employee and these are just my guesses as I have no direct knowledge of what changed. My opinion here is just an educated guess based on experience.
Well, I suspect that new update will simply turn down the maximum power on the radios. I suspect it will mean more dropped calls and issues with coverage in some fringe areas however.
Disclaimer: I am not (no longer) an Apple employee and these are just my guesses as I have no direct knowledge of what changed. My opinion here is just an educated guess based on experience.
Very educated guess and wouldn’t be surprised if this is the case. What else can they do?!
Image source, Getty Images
