ANFR performs regular tests on smartphones marketed in France. The goal is to identify models that emit too much waves and that could affect the health of users. Thus in 2018, two smartphones Xiaomi: Redmi Note 5 and Mi Mix 2S had been pinned for exceeding the authorized limit of specific absorption rate (SAR). Based on this observation, the association Alert Phonegate has just initiated a collective action against the brand.
Xiaomi's claim for SAR too high and "deceptive marketing practices"
This is not really good news and yet, Xiaomi had deployed a fix to lower the DAS of the two smartphones incriminated. In February 2019, the ANFR noted the return of emissions below the maximum authorized limit of 2 W / kg for both the head SAR and the trunk. The head SAR of Redmi Note 5 increased to 0.356 W / kg and the DAS trunk of Mi Mix 2S to 1.42 W / kg. Prior to the manufacturer's formal notice from the National Frequency Agency, these measurements were 2.08 W / kg and 2.94 W / Kg, respectively.
There is therefore a substantial decrease in the level of emissions, but at what price? According to Phonegate Alert, this update has caused other problems. The association speaks of planned obsolescence due to the "degradation of connectivity" of the smartphones incriminated without bringing any evidence that corroborates this statement.
Other models concerned?
For the association, the ANFR bears a great deal of responsibility. She is accused of not playing her role. "Phonegate Alert has reported the DAS reported by the manufacturer Xiaomi for 50 different models that it markets in Germany. Although appearing to be in compliance with the regulations, we found that 23 out of 50 Xiaomi smartphone models have unusually high reported and uncontrolled SAR levels. "
ANFR is invited to extend its investigations to these other models to ensure that they comply with the legal limits in France. Otherwise, it is necessary to believe in the good faith of the manufacturer and the declared figures which, although being below 2 W / kg, are already particularly high. For the 23 models in question, "18 are for the DAS" body "with levels between 1.4 and 1.7 W / kg, 9 for DAS" head "between 1.2 and 1.75 W / kg and four both at the same time ".
"Faced with our request, the ANFR refused to extend its controls and in its decisions systematically favors the interests of Xiaomi rather than those of its users / consumers. With these new elements, we legitimately request the judicial authority to launch a check of all Xiaomi models sold in France in the last three years to ensure that the DAS "head" and "trunk" measures have been respected. by the Chinese manufacturer ".
The association insists even more on the extension of controls that no action can be brought in court for cases of unrecognized excesses. Phonegate Alert, however, takes advantage of the cases of the Redmi Note 5 and Xiaomi Mi 2S to file a complaint not only for exceeding the DAS limits, but also for "deception" and "deceptive marketing practices".
