September 2, 2025, 9:31 am | Read time: 3 minutes
It was released five years ago and is technically outdated. Nevertheless, an update for the iPhone 12 is expected soon. There’s a compelling reason for this.
In 2023, the Agence nationale des fréquences (ANFR), the French regulatory authority for radio network coverage, issued a temporary sales ban. The reason was reportedly excessive radiation levels that posed potential health risks. Apple provided a timely solution back then–but only in France. Now, they plan to expand it.
Update for iPhone 12 to Reduce Radiation
Two years after the initial controversy in France surrounding the old model, Apple plans to roll out the corresponding update for the iPhone 12 in all other EU countries, including Germany. The company confirmed this to TECHBOOK upon inquiry.
As the manufacturer from Cupertino announces, the late update for the iPhone 12 is set to be released in the coming weeks. Owners of such devices should download and install it immediately. As “ntv” reports, citing AFP, this step follows the confirmation of ANFR radiation measurements by the European Commission in mid-August this year. The demand for reduced radiation is thus justified.
Apple Disagrees but Concedes
Apple remains confident in the safety of the iPhone 12. The company maintains that the smartphone can distinguish whether it is on the body or on a table and adjusts its transmission power accordingly. Apple disagrees with the ANFR’s testing approach, which does not consider this distinction. Here is Apple’s statement in full:
“iPhone 12 is and has always been safe and meets or exceeds worldwide SAR standards, as confirmed by several independent labs and regulatory agencies. While we continue to disagree with the French ANFR’s testing approach, we respect the European Commission’s decision to adopt this protocol within the European Union. Therefore, we will extend the software update introduced in October 2023 for iPhone 12 customers in France to EU countries in the coming weeks. This update pertains to a specific testing protocol, not a safety issue. Customers can continue to use their iPhone 12 with full confidence.”
Apple
With the update, Apple disables body detection and permanently sets the iPhone 12 to a mode with lower transmission power. This ensures the device emits less radiation even when not worn on the body.
Technical devices always emit electromagnetic radiation. This is normal, but because many people constantly carry smartphones, they are exposed to a lot of this radiation. There are numerous smartphone models with varying radiation levels. Those who want to be particularly cautious should look at which devices emit low radiation.
The SAR value indicates how much energy the body tissue absorbs in the form of electromagnetic radiation. The absorption of energy generates heat, which can have negative effects on humans–such as infertility in men. However, there are no concrete findings yet on the long-term effects of radiation on health.