Apple is set to release a software update for the iPhone 12 in France after the country's regulators temporarily halted sales due to radiation concerns. The decision came after France's National Frequency Agency (ANFR) found that the iPhone 12 exceeded European radiation exposure limits.
In response, Apple said the suspension was due to a French testing protocol, not a safety issue. The company emphasized that the iPhone 12 has been certified and recognized as compliant with all applicable SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) regulations globally.
Apple's Response and Regulatory Measures
Apple's commitment to addressing the issue was evident when a spokesperson mentioned, “We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France.” The ANFR had previously indicated that Apple must take corrective measures to ensure the devices' conformity or face potential recalls of the iPhone 12 units already in circulation in France.
Jean-Noël Barrot, France's junior minister in charge of digital, confirmed that Apple would be rolling out the necessary update soon. The ANFR is poised to swiftly test this update, which aims to align the iPhone 12 with European standards applied in France.
Potential Implications for the EU Market
The European Commission has indicated that the French suspension of iPhone 12 sales could potentially lead to an EU-wide ban, given the EU directive on radio equipment. This development comes shortly after Apple's recent launch event in California, where they introduced the iPhone 15, which now includes a USB-C charger in compliance with European regulations.
Apple launched four new models of iPhone 15 last week, the iPhone 15, the iPhone 15 Plus, the iPhone 15 Pro, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 series boasts a Super Retina XDR display with Dynamic Island HDR, which delivers vivid colors and contrast in any lighting condition. The display is protected by a Ceramic Shield front, which is four times more resistant to cracks than the previous generation. The back of the iPhone 15 series is made of color-infused glass, which gives a sleek and elegant look. The iPhone 15 series also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, which means it can survive up to 30 minutes in six meters of water.
The iPhone 15 series comes in different sizes, chipsets, cameras, and refresh rates, depending on the model. The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus have a 6.1-inch and a 6.7-inch screen respectively, both with a 60Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming. They are powered by the A16 Bionic chip, which is the fastest chip ever in a smartphone. They have an advanced dual-camera system on the back, which consists of a 48MP main camera, a 12MP ultra wide camera, and a 12MP 2x telephoto camera. The cameras have optical image stabilization, night mode, portrait mode, and Smart HDR 4 for stunning photos and videos.
The iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max have the same screen sizes as the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus, but with a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz for ultra-smooth performance. They are powered by the A17 Bionic chip, which is even faster and more efficient than the A16 Bionic chip. They have a professional quad-camera system on the back, which includes a 64MP main camera, a 16MP ultra wide camera, a 12MP 3x telephoto camera, and a LiDAR scanner. The LiDAR scanner enables depth sensing, autofocus in low light, and augmented reality applications. The cameras also have ProRAW, ProRes video recording, cinematic mode, and optical zoom up to 15x for professional-quality results.
