According to Apple, putting an iPhone 12 too close to your pacemaker might get you into trouble.
We know that our smartphones emit electromagnetic waves on small scales. However, people who, for health reasons, must wear a pacemaker or other sensitive elements, should take extreme precautions. Apple itself indicates this on its support website, but minimizing the risk. However, there are reports of pacemakers that stop in the presence of an iPhone 12 or accessories such as the Magsafe.
Apple makes this clear on its own website, stating that the iPhone 12 contains magnets, components, and radios that generate electromagnetic fields. These magnets and electromagnetic fields can cause interference in medical devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators. Recall that also, the wireless MagSafe charger incorporates aligned magnets that attach to the iPhone 12 and allows it to charge wirelessly, at a higher speed of up to 15W.
A pacemaker that reacts to an iPhone 12
The Cupertino folks also detail that while all iPhone 12 models incorporate more magnets than previous iPhone models, they should not pose a greater risk of magnetic interference to medical devices than previous iPhone models. However, information from the Heart Rhythm Journal warns otherwise according to their latest publication. According to this newspaper, their study confirms that a Medtronic pacemaker stops when an iPhone 12 series terminal or one of its new magnetic accessories is closed.
This information could lead the companies developing these types of products to review and perform more tests to check the sensitivity to the iPhone 12 and accessories such as the Magsafe. Medical Xpress states that the work remains on the side of the companies that develop these medical devices, eliminating interferences and all variable environmental sources, such as 40kHz carrier waves. In these cases, experts recommend keeping the iPhone and magnetic accessories at a safe distance of at least 15cm away or 30cm in the case of wireless charging.
Apple warns about it
This news materializes Apple’s warning, although it seems to be far from being a massive problem, apart from the sensitivity with some specific equipment. Apple itself points out that there are many types of medical devices, and that manufacturers often provide recommendations on the safe use of these devices near wireless or magnetic products to avoid possible interference. It is also recommended to stop using the iPhone if there are suspicions that it is causing interference to a medical device.
