If you have a pacemaker, think twice before buying an iPhone 12 (or any other model in the iPhone 12 line), as one of the phone’s main features also makes it a risk.
We’re talking, of course, about MagSafe, which uses magnets and radios to allow you to attach accessories to the back of the phone. If you have a pacemaker, you probably already know that the magnets don’t go well with it, but Apple has now confirmed that the iPhone 12 is no exception.
In an update to a support document identified by MacRumors, Apple states that you should keep your iPhone 12 and MagSafe accessories (including the MagSafe Charger and MagSafe Duo Charger) “at a safe distance” from the implanted pacemaker or defibrillator. Apple sets a safe distance to be more than 6 inches / 15 cm or – if you’re charging wirelessly – more than 12 inches / 30 cm.
More magnets, more risk?
The company also notes that you should “consult your doctor and the device manufacturer for specific guidelines”.
Despite this new warning, Apple also strangely claims that the iPhone 12 line “should not pose a greater risk of magnetic interference in medical devices than previous iPhone models”.
So the risk may not be high, but it’s probably not worth taking, especially since – as MacRumors notes – an article in the Heart Rhythm Journal previously suggested that an iPhone 12 could cause an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to go into a suspended state.
None of this necessarily means that an iPhone 12 is not suitable for you if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, only that you should be careful with safety distances and therefore probably not keep it in your breast pocket. But if in doubt, follow Apple’s advice to see your doctor.
Via Engadget