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The iPhone 12 could be a risk for users with a pacemaker.

This is the result of a study published in the Heart Rhythm Journal.

According to a study, doctors at the Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute in Detroit, Michigan, showed that Apple's latest iPhone models can deactivate an implanted defibrillator.

According to the report, the authors of the study were able to repeat these effects several times in tests when the iPhone 12 was held against the left chest of a patient with an implanted defibrillator from Medtronic.

The study traces the result back to the strong magnets that are built into the smartphone model.

The "Heart Rhythm Journal" refers to older studies with other smartphones.

The possible effects of electromagnetic radiation on defibrillators are at most a minimal risk.

Conversely, the medical professionals assume that the strong magnets of the iPhone 12 are the reason for the defibrillator's malfunction.

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Apple has built a magnetic connector called MagSafe into its latest iPhone models.

A Qi charging coil, which is surrounded by a magnetic ring, is located under the casing on the back of the smartphone.

The manufacturer recommends a minimum distance of 15 centimeters

Two more magnetic strips are placed below this MagSafe circle.

In this way, not only can the wireless charger dock in the correct position.

Accessories such as external batteries or wallets for credit cards can also be magnetically attached to the housing.

Apple responded to the warning in an updated support document.

"Medical devices such as implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators can contain sensors that react to magnets and radio units when they come into close contact," it says.

The manufacturer recommends keeping the iPhone at least 15 centimeters away, and this distance should be doubled at least during wireless charging.

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In addition, wearers of implanted cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators should always contact their doctors and device manufacturers to find out how big the safe distance is.

"If you have the impression that the iPhone or MagSafe accessory is interfering with your medical device, stop using your iPhone or MagSafe accessory," says the support document.

However, Apple denies that the latest iPhones are at greater risk: “Although all iPhone 12 models contain more magnets than previous iPhone models, they are not expected to pose a greater risk of magnetic interference with medical devices than previous iPhone models. "

In any case, wearers of a pacemaker or defibrillator should not carry their iPhone in the left shirt pocket or in the left inside pocket of the jacket, as this means that they cannot keep the minimum distance of 15 centimeters.

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