France gives the iPhone 12 the boot, but why?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

France has slapped a ban on the sale of the iPhone 12. This shocking move comes hot on the heels of Apple’s decision to discontinue the model. But what’s the reason behind this unexpected turn of events?

Apparently, the iPhone 12 has been emitting radiation levels that exceed what’s allowed by French law. Apple, caught in the crossfire, has pledged to resolve the issue.

But here’s the kicker: It took over three years to discover the iPhone 12’s excessive radiation emissions. So, does this mean the iPhone 12 could be a ticking time bomb for its users?

The mystery unraveled: software updates to blame

Thankfully, French regulators have cracked the case, revealing that a series of software updates are the culprits behind the iPhone 12’s gradually increasing radiation emissions.

This is why the problem wasn’t spotted when the device was launched three years ago – it simply wasn’t an issue then.

Apple’s response: it’s not what you think

Apple, however, is standing its ground, asserting that the increased radiation emissions don’t pose a safety risk. They’re blaming it on the “specific testing protocol used by French regulators.”

And if that wasn’t enough, reports suggest that Apple has instructed its tech support staff to zip their lips about the issue with customers. They’re assuring everyone that all Apple products undergo rigorous safety testing before they hit the shelves.

The bottom line: is the iPhone 12 safe to use?

French authorities have cleared the air, stating that despite the radiation levels exceeding the legal limit, the iPhone 12 is still safe to use.

But there’s a catch – the device can’t be purchased until Apple sorts out the excessive emissions issue, and they plan to do this with a software update. Apple says they’ll push out an update soon.

“We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators,” says Apple in a statement to Reuters. “We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France.”

But here’s the interesting bit: This update seems to be exclusive to the French market, designed specifically to get the iPhone 12 back on the shelves.

What’s next for the iPhone 12 in France?

The French regulator, ANFR, has stated that if Apple’s software update effectively reduces the iPhone 12’s radiation emissions, the device can be put back on sale in the country. However, the timeline for this is still up in the air.

With the release of three new flagship iPhones and the third-generation iPhone SE since the iPhone 12’s debut, one has to question the device’s potential popularity in France.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15 “Wonderlust” Event: Everything Apple announced
• iPhone 15 can now charge AirPods and Apple Watch via USB-C
• iPhone 15 Pro will run console versions of some AAA games
• This new terrible $29 dongle for iPhones is good, actually

Kevin Raposo

Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com or find him on Mastodon or Post.