Apple has been constantly releasing new software updates ever since the arrival of the iOS 17. The company recently fixed the overheating issue on the Apple iPhone 15 Pro models with the iOS 17.0.3 update. It now plans to release the iOS 17.1 update to fix the radiation issue on the ageing Apple iPhone 12. The high SAR values on the older iPhone had sparked controversy in France, and this new update could finally fix it.
iOS 17.1 Update Will Fix Radiation Issue on iPhone 12
According to Agence Nationale Des Fréquence (ANFR), the iOS 17.1 update will arrive on October 24 for the iPhone 12. It will likely come on other iPhones on the same day globally, as most iOS updates usually do. The French government had raised concerns regarding the phone’s emission levels and even banned the device’s sales in the country.
According to Apple, all iPhones have an off-body detection mechanism to detect when the phone is on a static surface. This is used to optimize performance in off-body scenarios. Furthermore, it says the French regulators did not account for this protocol, which led to the high SAR values.
The new iOS 17.1 update will reduce the radiation level when the phone is on a static surface. The latest update reduces the phone’s power when kept on a table. Apple says this could result in slightly lower cellular performance in low-signal areas. However, the company claims that most consumers will unlikely notice the change.
The new update will also have several improvements like a new favourite feature in Apple Music, support for AirDrop via the internet, and the option to check bank and card balances in the Wallet app.
Furthermore, the update will add a flashlight indicator to Dynamic Island, better photo shuffle on the lock screen, and support for the Nintendo N6 controller. It will also allow you to turn off certain Action Button functionalities like Camera, Flashlight, Voice Memo and Magnifier when the iPhone is kept in your pocket.