Apple has announced that the forthcoming iOS 17.1 update, scheduled for release later in October, will address the issue of iPhone 12 radiation levels in France.
In response to a directive from French authorities in September, Apple has taken steps to rectify the non-compliance of iPhone 12 devices with European electromagnetic radiation standards. This fix involves the deactivation of the off-body detection feature, which permits a slight increase in transmit power when an iPhone is not physically held or placed in a pocket.
It’s important to note that this feature will be disabled exclusively in France. Apple has clarified that this action is being taken despite an error made by France’s Agence Française Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) regulatory group during its radiation testing.
ANFR employed a testing protocol that failed to consider the off-body detection mechanism present in the iPhone, which Apple contends has undergone extensive international testing and verification to ensure compliance with Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) requirements.
The iPhone is equipped with sensors that can detect whether it is resting on a stationary surface, such as a table, as opposed to being held or pocketed. This off-body detection mechanism, which has been a standard feature in all iPhones for over a decade, allows the device to slightly increase transmit power when it is not in close contact with the body, optimizing its performance.
ANFR’s specific testing protocol mandates that devices adhere to on-body SAR limits, even when tested in an off-body state on a static surface. This decision contrasts with international standards that permit the independent evaluation of power control mechanisms, which may not be activated during standard SAR tests.
Apple asserts that the iPhone 12 is safe for use and has always met international standards for energy transmission, ensuring limited energy transmission when the device is in contact with the human body.
With the iOS 17.1 update, iPhone 12 models in France will no longer boost their transmit power when detecting an off-body state. Consequently, users may experience slightly lower cellular performance in certain off-body scenarios where cellular signal strength is weak, although most users are unlikely to discern any significant difference.
