Apple iOS Update to Fix iPhone 12 Radiation Levels Approved by French Regulators

[iStorm]

And who uses a smartphone for phone calls anyway?

Maybe I'm not following, but cell phones emit radiation continuously whether you're in a phone call or not. How else are they going to connect to towers to let you use data, or to get an incoming call? Even phones without a SIM card will emit radiation since they still keep in touch with nearby cell towers in order for emergency services to work.

 

[sdf]

How does a software update fix radiation? Bit silly really. we may end up seeing performance throttling.

Same way they fixed batteries with a software update.

 

[jimbobb24]

This article (and thread) would be more useful but less click bait if all the instances of "radiation" were replaced by "radio waves".

Yes I know, it's accurate but it's like if someone turns on a light and everyone starts talking about how much more radiation there is in the room. Technically accurate but doesn't communicate correctly.

 

[Populus]

Gotta love how various countries/regions/governments deem different levels as being safe. It's not like these type of things vary based on where you are...we're all human. Is France just being extra safe, or are other regions over the actual "safe" limit?

A similar example, HEPA filters... HEPA-certified filters in most places are those that filter down to 0.3 microns; however, these are not HEPA-certified in the EU and are considered "unsafe". They require them to filter down to 0.1 microns to be HEPA-certified. (It used to be 0.3 microns up until a year or two ago.) Again, is the EU being extra safe?

I didn’t know the example of HEPA filters, I guess that change has forced EU labs to use more expensive filters?

 

[hans1972]

Wait, wait… is this update is only available in France?

It will be available only in France and Germany because of the pioneering work of Wilhelm Röntgen, Henri Becquerel and Madame Curie.

 

[hans1972]

So they simply roll out a software update and the problem is fixed? How can Apple justify releasing phones to the public that expose users to unallowed levels of electromagnetic radiation in the first place?

And yet, many people believe in an entity which created the Sun and don't blame the entity for it.

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

It's not that easy to measure apparently. Every other smartphone manufacturer in Europe has had to change this in the past months, not sure why Apple gets the focus here. Maybe because they ignored the request to change it.

Interesting. Can you link to any info about the other instances of this action?

But yeah, Apple will always get a higher level of coverage and scrutiny, even for mundane and routine stuff.

 

[Lakersfan74]

Good thing I traded in my 12 Pro for my 15 Pro Max

 

[ossifer]

The agency also told Apple to recall every ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ it has ever sold in the country.​

but:

Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones...

Who does one reconcile these two statements?

 

[jlc1978]

but:

The agency also told Apple to recall every ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ it has ever sold in the country.

but:

Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones...

Who does one reconcile these two statements?

They were issued by bureaucrats. Consistency and logic is optional.

 

[Powerbooky]

How does a software update fix radiation? Bit silly really. we may end up seeing performance throttling.

It is throttling of the transmitter power and it is how it always has worked since digital wireless telecommunication exists. The power actually used is negotiated between cell tower and phone to get the most optimal connection. You can compare it with a normal conversation between to people: if someone stands next to you, it is useless to shout. You'll only talk louder if the person stand further away.

And the rest of the world? This is quite concerning. How many other iPhone models are boosted after release? Is France the only country that re-tests electromagnetic equipment after release?

I wouldn't worry that much. With the current amount of cell towers in town most phones never have to use that much power. And besides...

I see this as a great outcome, even if only to keep Apple (& others) on their toes.

EDIT...
Apple later said it would issue a software update for iPhone 12 users in France

Err what? This update should be world-wide, should it not???

It depends on local regulations. I assume that Apple rolls out new modem-code for all carriers in France or even all EU countries. Maybe worldwide if it is directly embedded in iOS, I don't know. Although there are countries where higher transmission power is allowed.

 

[Skyscraperfan]

Maybe I'm not following, but cell phones emit radiation continuously whether you're in a phone call or not. How else are they going to connect to towers to let you use data, or to get an incoming call? Even phones without a SIM card will emit radiation since they still keep in touch with nearby cell towers in order for emergency services to work.

That's true, but you will get exposed to the (harmless)radiation much more, if you hold your phone next to your ear to make a call. There are even people who just use headsets to avoid the radiation.

 

[Rented Parsley]

Radiation from phones seemingly being increased on the sly by software updates

Mobile phone hardware is tested against the maximum power the transmitting antenna can put out. You can readily access Apple’s testing statement if you search for an iPhone model and the specific absorption rate “SAR”. If software or firmware updates increment that radiating power it makes sense that a regulatory agency would require Apple to correct the issue.

 

[Reason077]

The agency also told Apple to recall every ‌‌iPhone‌ 12‌ it has ever sold in the country.

but:

Ministers later said that though the radiation level was above the accepted standard, it was not dangerous and people were safe to continue using the phones...

Who does one reconcile these two statements?

"Recall" doesn't necessarily mean Apple must physically take back the phones. If the issue can be fixed with an over-the-air update, then that is considered a successful recall.

There's precedent for this in the automotive industry, with safety issues prompting a "recall notice" that is resolved by OTA software updates.

 

[ThomasJL]

Thank you, ANFR, for your work in bringing awareness to potentially dangerous radiation levels in certain phones. It's a good thing when organizations prioritize people's health over the profits of corporations.

 

[crjackson2134]

I think the radiation from my Apple Watch is making my wrist hurt. I noticed it today (the radiating pain), after I fell and broke my wrist 🤣

 

[svish]

Good to know about this. Should not have happened in the first place.

 

[Wanted797]

Wait, wait… is this update is only available in France? So, people in other countries using their iPhone 12 will keep being exposed to higher levels? Unless the allowed radiation levels are abnormally low in France, I think this update should have been available to everyone else.

If you actually learn about this you’ll understand that none of the RF radiation from a phone is ionizing and therefore technically dangerous at all. While maybe it could be we’ve never linked it to any health issues in the 100 years + of radio waves flying about the world.

The French agency that picked up on this take their reading 0mm from the phone. While most other countries take it 1-2mm away assuming for a later of clothing.

This story was taken out of proportion with the same fear mongering and media sensationalism as any story would that involves scary words like “radiation”.

 

[grjj]

Not enough technical data has been given here and I'm not going to go digging for it. From what I recall, the iPhone puts out about 4 watts too much, which is still less than 1/10th the safe limit, but not quite at the exact number France requires. And apparently France does require a slightly lower limit than other countries. So they're tweaking it. No idea how they will actually distribute the update. Probably offered to any iPhone on a French network operator.

mobile, modern, cell phones output between 600 and 1000 mw of radio power, that's .6 to 1 watt.
A cell tower may put out up to 20W per channel.

the numbers vary by carrier, region and signal type but the range should cover most everything you'd encounter as a civilian.

 

[CarAnalogy]

mobile, modern, cell phones output between 600 and 1000 mw of radio power, that's .6 to 1 watt.
A cell tower may put out up to 20W per channel.

the numbers vary by carrier, region and signal type but the range should cover most everything you'd encounter as a civilian.

It was probably .4 watts over the limit. Or something. That’s what I get for pulling numbers out of the mists of my unreliable memory.