According to a new study published in the Journal Heart Rhythm, if an iPhone 12 is placed over a pacemaker, the life -saving device can be stopped.
This is largely due to the magnetic field issued by the Magsafe charging technology installed by Apple, a magnetic network on the back of the phone designed to make the wireless charging.
The scientists of Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute, in the US, found that the circular network of "rare earth magnets" could fully suspend the operations of a Medtronic Pacemaker.
What are the "rare earth magnets"
The "rare earth magnets", sometimes called neo magnets or "super magnets", are obtained by sintering from a neodimal alloy, iron and boron.They have a high performance, being the most powerful of the permanent magnets.
"As soon as the phone has been brought close to the device above the chest, the immediate suspension of the therapeutic device was observed, continuing throughout the test.The action has been reproduced several times, from different positions of the phone above the chest.Therefore, we emphasize a major medical problem about the new generation iPhone 12, which has the potential to prevent life saving therapies in patients who carry such phones in the chest pocket, ”the researchers wrote.
Apple recognizes that "iPhone devices can intervene on medical devices"
Apple has already published documents in which it recognizes that "magnets and electromagnetic fields that are emanated by iPhone devices can intervene on medical devices, such as cardiac or defibrillators," according to futurism..
However, the study does not prove if the iPhone 12 phone is the one.Researchers have also discovered other devices, such as physical activity monitoring devices, could have a similar effect on cardiac stylumators..
Apple claims that "although iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than previous models, they are not expected to present a higher risk of magnetic interference on medical devices than previous iPhone models.".
We also recommend reading:
Apple could launch thicker phones this year.What do rumors say about iPhone 13
Future iPhone models could support multiple user accounts
How much does iPhone 12 Pro production cost?
Apple will not provide iOS 15 update for some iPhone