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The Street

Jena Warburton

Apple finally solves a very urgent iPhone issue

Apple ANFR France Radiation

Apple (AAPL) -) started the month on a high, with the Sept. 12 Wonderlust event demonstrating to the world its new iPhones, Apple Watches, an upgraded Apple Watch 9, new operating systems, updated software for beloved accessories, and more.

Its latest iPhone – the 15 lineup – offers a slick new set of features including an improved camera. And with the top line iPhone 15 Pro Max selling for $1,199 in the U.S., many of us expect it to be just that: the very best.

But Apple's mid-September was met with a blip, when French regulators accused its older iPhone 12 mini models of emitting too much radiation than was deemed allowable in the European country.

The Agence nationale des fréquences issued a warning statement, alleging the phones were tested "in an accredited laboratory" and discoverd the phones' absorption rate "values exceed the limit, being at 5.74 W/kg."

Specific absorption rate measures how much radiation is absorbed by soft tissue. The French limit is 4 W/kg.

"The ANFR expects Apple to deploy all available means to put an end to the noncompliance. Failure to act will result in the recall of equipment that has already been made available to consumers," the warning reads.

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 13: A view of Apple's store after the sale of iPhone 12 model phones is banned in Paris, France on September 13, 2023. The sales of the iPhone 12 model phone have been stopped in France until the US technology giant Apple brings an update to iPhone 12 model. (Photo by Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Apple issues a critical update

Not long after France announced it would ban sales of the iPhone 12 mini until further notice did Belgium and Germany say they would follow up with their own research to test safety levels. Apple acted quickly to patch the issue. On Sept. 15, the tech giant released a patch to resolve any radiation quandaries.

"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," Apple said in a statement.

The ANFR has since had time to retest iPhone 12 minis following Apple's update and has verified that the phones are now within the allowable radiation limit in the country.

The subsequent test revealed that the phones have just a SAR of 3.94 W/kg, versus the 5.74 W/kg that the phones had prior to the patch.

The ANFR added that, now that the phones are within what's considered a safe limit, sales of the iPhone 12 mini can now responsibly resume. French authorities on Friday have since accepted the update.

Apple has been phasing out its iPhone 12 models, specifically the mini iPhones, for some time now. It no longer produces its mini phones, instead opting for larger screens and resolutions. While customers can still purchase the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 minis from authorized resellers, the only iPhones officially sold on Apple's website include: