Last Updated on February 26, 2025
Apple will soon issue a software update to the iPhone 12 model to resolve the radiation concerns in France. The company made the decision despite assuring the safety precautions the device complied with before sending them to all the markets including in France and the EU.
Earlier this week, France restricted sales of the iPhone 12 after tests reportedly showed the model surpassing the radiation exposure limits. Initially, Apple contested the claim saying that the lineup in concern was certified by various international bodies for the same. However, as scrutiny grew, the US phone maker said that it would push a software update to subdue the concerns in France.
On Tuesday, September 12, ANFR, France’s national frequency agency directed Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12 model in stores and online citing the model’s excessive radiation-emitting levels. Besides, France, the body comprises other EU members such as Belgium, Germany, and Italy.
In normal situations, smartphones are safe in terms of the radiation levels they emit. Here, you can find out how some of the older/popular devices rank in terms of emitting radiation (SAR). But Apple has found itself in hot waters in France.
Check out: Future iPhones and Apple Watch will analyze respiratory health
Apple will issue a software update to resolve iPhone 12 radiation concerns
To de-escalate the concern in France, Apple has decided to roll out a software update. However, it maintains that the move is to accommodate French testing and the device poses no risk whatsoever. “We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators,” Apple said. “This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern.”.
iPhone 12 came out in late 2020 so it’s a 3-year-old model already. Apple maintains that “Since it was introduced in 2020, iPhone 12 has been certified and recognized as meeting or exceeding all applicable SAR regulations and standards around the world.”
Additionally, the company also said that it is cooperating with the French agency and providing it with information for testing procedures.
Apple’s compliance has received admiration in France. Jean-Noël Barrot, France’s minister for digital affairs, welcomed Apple’s decision after he had issued the US tech company a 15-day deadline to address the issue. “Since the decision to withdraw the iPhone 12 from the French market, I have spoken several times with the Apple teams,” Barrot said. “ANFR is preparing to quickly test this update which would ultimately make the model compliant with European standards applied in France and lift the withdrawal from marketing,” he added.
Also read: iPhone 14 Pro Max is the most popular smartphone in the first half of 2023!
Apple may face a similar situation in Belgium
The whole situation could drag on for Apple in other EU markets as well. On Thursday, September 14, Belgium said that it would review health risks on users emanating from iPhone 12 radiation. Likewise, German authorities are closely observing how the situation unfolds in France.
Apple has recently launched iPhone 15 devices- iPhone 15 & iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. So, customarily it is phasing out iPhone 12 and other devices in favor of newer models. So, the software update for iPhone 12 might be some of the last things Apple would do for this model.
ANFR tests iPhones sold across France to check its conformity with EU standards. It resorted to action after Apple initially failed to comply with a software update.
Smartphones emit very low levels of radiation and are deemed safe for use.
Regarding radiation risk from mobile phones on human health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said: “To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.”
