The French Frequency Agency (ANFR)responsible for controlling the level of radio wave emissions by electronic devices, validated the update proposed by Apple to lower the power of the iPhone 12, the marketing of which had been suspended, according to a press release.
“The tests confirm that this software development allows this device to respect the limit value of localized SAR + limb + (which corresponds to the energy absorbed by the human body when the phone is held in the hand, editor’s note), and therefore to comply with current standards,” the agency said.
An update to be released to all iPhone 12 users
“It is now up to Apple to release this software update to all iPhone 12 users,” she continues, after which the ban on the marketing of the device can be lifted.
In detail, the “member” SAR value, which reached 5.74 Watts per kilogram during previous tests, was reduced to 3.94 W/kg, just below the limit value of 4 W/kg.
On the evening of September 13, while Apple celebrated the presentation of its new model, the iPhone 15, the ANFR and the Minister of Digital Jean-Noël Barrot surprised the world of telecoms and many users by announcing the suspension in France of the marketing of this device released in 2020 and already at the end of its career, except for resale.
ANFR regularly reduces the transmission power of smartphones. But it was a first for Apple.
After having defended the validity of its own measures, the American group ended up complying with the demands of the French agency by announcing that it was preparing an update.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)“there is currently no indication that exposure to low-intensity electromagnetic fields is dangerous for human health” and “despite numerous research”.