The saga surrounding the high SAR values of the iPhone 12 in France is coming to an end. Apple has announced that it will release an update, specifically iOS 17.1, by October 24th to address the issue for all French iPhone users. This information comes from France’s national regulator of frequencies, ANFR.
Good News for French iPhone 12 Users: iOS 17.1 Update Fixes SAR Values
To provide a brief recap, the iPhone 12 faced a ban on sales in France due to its high SAR values, as discovered by ANFR. In response, Apple assured that a software fix would be implemented. Last month, the French authorities approved the update, and now they have revealed the release date.
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Once October 24th arrives, it is expected that the iPhone 12’s high SAR values will no longer pose a problem. However, there is a downside to this resolution. Apple attributes the high SAR values to an off-body detection feature in iOS. This feature detects when the phone is not in direct contact with the body and increases the transmit power accordingly. In France, this function will be off, potentially resulting in poorer data connectivity in areas with limited coverage.
In addition to addressing the SAR values, iOS 17.1 brings several other enhancements. Users can look forward to a favorites system for Apple Music, support for AirDrop over the internet, improved options for bank and card balances in the Wallet app, a dynamic island flashlight indicator, compatibility with the Nintendo Switch N64 Controller, enhancements to the Photo Shuffle feature on the lock screen, and the disabling of certain Action Button features (such as Camera, Flashlight, Voice Memo, Focus, and Magnifier) when the iPhone is inside a pocket.
With the imminent release of the iOS 17.1 update, French iPhone 12 users can soon enjoy improved SAR values and explore the new features and enhancements that come with it. Apple’s commitment to addressing regulatory concerns reinforces its dedication to providing a seamless user experience while adhering to national standards.
