Unwittingly, Apple granted Jean-Noël Barrot’s wish. The Minister responsible for Digital threatened on Tuesday morning to have the iPhone 12 withdrawn from the French market due to a SAR that was too high. A few hours later, the model in question bowed out… during the keynote.
Jean-Noël Barrot may have wanted to pay Apple by saying Tuesday morning in The Parisian be ” ready to order the recall of iPhone 12s in circulation » if the manufacturer did not carry out an update to reduce the SAR of the smartphone. Apple did not wait to carry out the threat from the minister in charge of digital technology: the iPhone 12 actually disappeared from the catalog Tuesday evening… thanks to the launch of the iPhone 15, not for a wave problem.
Too much DAS, it breaks
This model was an entry-level model at the time of the iPhone 14 (except for the somewhat separate iPhone SE). With the launch of new smartphones, it gave way to the iPhone 13 in a usual movement of renewal of the catalog.
Apple received a notification from the ANFR yesterday, informing it that the iPhone 12 very slightly exceeded the specific absorption rate (SAR) threshold. In other words, the telephone emits too many electromagnetic waves with regard to the legislation: “ Its SAR is 5.7 watts per kilogram while the threshold is 4 W/kg », Specifies the minister. Generally, all it takes is a software update to get back on track.
The National Frequency Agency gives 15 days to all notified manufacturers to resolve the non-compliance problem. “ I have confidence in the company’s sense of responsibility to comply with our rules », declares Jean-Noël Barrot, who recalls that of the 42 decisions to withdraw from trade taken by the ANFR since 2017, 6 were the subject of a recall procedure.
This is a first for Apple, which will certainly deliver an update: even if the manufacturer no longer sells the iPhone 12, the device is still sold in reseller stores, while stocks last. The ANFR will communicate its information to its European counterparts.
iPhone 15s below the threshold
The SAR is a unit of measurement (expressed in watts per kilogram) which quantifies the electromagnetic energy absorbed by the human body during the use of a device emitting radiofrequency waves. The ANFR carries out measurements at the level of the trunk and head (for which the SAR must not exceed 2 W/kg) and limbs (no more than 4 W/kg). The measure for members was introduced in 2021, while the iPhone 12 was launched the previous year. The European standard, which is the one used by all EU countries, is “ ten times lower than the level of emissions which, according to scientific studies, can have consequences for users », reassures the minister.
The iPhone 15s are all below the limit thresholds, according to measurements carried out by Apple. Phew!
- iPhone 15 — Head SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Trunk SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Member SAR: 2.98 W/kg
- iPhone 15 Plus — Head SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Trunk SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Member SAR: 2.98 W/kg
- iPhone 15 Pro — Head SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Trunk SAR: 0.96 W/kg; Member SAR: 2.99 W/kg
- iPhone 15 Pro Max — Head SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Trunk SAR: 0.98 W/kg; Member SAR: 2.98 W/kg
Source :
The Parisian