The FCC has a decent article on what the SAR (specific absorption rate) actually means.
fcc.gov/…/specific-absorption-rate-sar-cell-phone…
Tldr: France is wrong here, and no one should confuse SAR with "“radiation.”
France bans iPhone 12 after finding radiation levels are too high
Submitted 1 year ago by root@lemmy.world to technology@lemmy.world
https://www.techspot.com/news/100131-france-bans-iphone-12-sales-after-finding-radiation.html
Comments
evatronic@lemm.ee 1 year ago
Kumabear@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Honestly not to defend apple here… but does the timing of this announcement seem a bit too convenient.
otter@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
Would be weird if they waited after testing to find a good opportunity to make the announcement.
It’s also not necessarily a win/loss since Apple could spin it like “we fixed it in the new one, get it”
ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.world 1 year ago
as someone who’s had the 12 mini for a couple of years now, what does this mean for me?
have i been irreparably harmed? is there a pressing need for me to get rid of that device?
regalia@literature.cafe 1 year ago
it means you have the 5G waves coming out of your ears
kaitco@lemmy.world 1 year ago
I thought that was from the Covid-19 vaccine!?
GenEcon@lemm.ee 1 year ago
Your head might have gotten a little bit warmer compared to someone using a different phone while calling, especially if you live in an area with poor coverage.
ohwhatfollyisman@lemmy.world 1 year ago
i am known for my short temper. maybe that’s where i got the hot head?
Overzeetop@sopuli.xyz 1 year ago
If you or a loved one owned an iPhone 12 and have developed mesothelioma, you may be due compensation. Our lawyers are standing by to evaluate your claim so call today!
otter@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
Probably not, but you could look into any recalls / software updates.
I haven’t read the specifics, but I think if you store it in a bag or something and don’t leave it in contact with your body too long, you should be fine. If it was more serious, there would be more of an announcement
krayj@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
I thought the iPhone 12 hasn’t been sold since 2021, so why does it even matter if the iPhone 12 is not compliant with a more modern standard?
otter@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
It’s still relevant to ask the company to recall it / not produce more / get third party distributors to stop selling it
with a more modern standard
I don’t think that’s what’s happening here?
krayj@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
From the article:
The agency noted that tests measuring radiation absorption rates at a distance of 5cms (1.98 inches) showed that the iPhone 12 was in compliance with the limit of 2.0 watts per kilogram.
But it also says that:
The ANFR said accredited labs had measured absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body at 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests simulating when the phone was being held in the hand or kept in a pocket, writes France 24. That’s higher than the European standard absorption rate of 4.0 watts per kilogram.
That sounds like a different test that it is currently failing?
It makes it sound like the iPhone 12 was in compliance earlier, but is not in compliance now.
Die4Ever@programming.dev 1 year ago
Wait, they measure the wattage per kilogram of the device? Why does the weight of the device matter? Could they just increase the weight of the phone to pass the test?
bcdfgh@lemm.ee 1 year ago
I believe it is per kg of body mass not the weight of the phone.
krayj@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
It’s not per kilogram of the device. It’s a measure of absorption per kilogram of body mass of the person using the device.
A good way to think about it is: throw a small piece of meat into the microwave and let it absorb some microwaves. It gets warm. Now imagine a much larger piece of meat. It can absorb a lot more microwaves before it starts getting warm. So when it comes to mobile device radiation levels, they focus on the watts of radiation absorbed per kilogram of body mass.
debounced@kbin.run 1 year ago
and different parts of the body resonate at different frequencies...part of the reason 2.4 GHz was picked for the common household microwave is water molecules resonate there (and other harmonically related frequencies too... it's why a lot of the unlicensed ISM stuff is allocated there: crappy atmospheric propagation). also the necessary magnetron and waveguide for that freq is conveniently sized for a kitchen appliance and not too complicated.
droidpenguin@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Not great but not terrible.
ericisshort@lemmy.world 1 year ago
This title is so misleading. France hasn’t banned the device, and the radiation levels could likely be fixed with a software update. French officials have stated that they may prohibit sale and make Apple issue a recall IF Apple doesn’t respond to their request. The article says as much:
Also, why the hell did it take French agencies 4 years to test this device? Even if Apple says they won’t update the phones and is forced to stop selling them, taking a 4 year old phone off the market won’t really hurt them in any way.
Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world 1 year ago
Apple hasn’t sold them in a few years anyway. It would only affect third party sellers.
krayj@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
It would also affect already sold units. They are giving apple 2 weeks to come up with a software fix to remediate already sold units and if apple fails to comply, they will force apple to recall all the iPhone 12s still in use.
ericisshort@lemmy.world 1 year ago
I think they still sell refurbed 12s.
otter@lemmy.ca 1 year ago
Maybe something changed more recently to warrant a test?
The story feels like pop-science websites running with a story that’s otherwise pretty boring regulatory proceedings.
krayj@sh.itjust.works 1 year ago
The article says:
Followed by this quote:
That sounds a lot like “banned” to me.