France’s wireless communications watchdog, the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), has temporarily blocked sales and could order a recall if radiation concerns are not addressed. 

The regulator took the decision after carrying out tests that showed the iPhone 12’s specific absorption rate for radio frequency exposure was 5.74W/kg. This is slightly higher than the limits imposed by European legislation: 4W/kg for a device held in a hand or pocket and 2W/kg for a device held in a jacket or bag.

As a result, the ANFR said that Apple “must immediately take all measures to prevent the affected phones present in the supply chain from being made available on the market”. 

“For phones already sold, Apple must take corrective action as soon as possible to bring the affected phones into compliance,” it added. “Otherwise, it will be up to Apple to recall them.”

The solution to the problem might lie in a software update, Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s junior minister...