While i'm not sure of the specifics of how this can limit radiation, it could be possible that the signal search used too much power, or was too frequent, causing elevated radiation exposure that went beyond what was safe, and firmware could limit it.
Say, for instance, it looks for a signal 10,000 times a second at high power because the manufacturer thought it would limit drops. The software could lower it to 1000 or so, with less power.
Those signals could be electromagnetic radiation, which in large dosages can be harmful to humans
Software (namely firmware) can manage hardware.
While i'm not sure of the specifics of how this can limit radiation, it could be possible that the signal search used too much power, or was too frequent, causing elevated radiation exposure that went beyond what was safe, and firmware could limit it.
Say, for instance, it looks for a signal 10,000 times a second at high power because the manufacturer thought it would limit drops. The software could lower it to 1000 or so, with less power.
Those signals could be electromagnetic radiation, which in large dosages can be harmful to humans
I don't know im just speculating.
Basedise frequency, software can also manipulate the transmission power. Essentially lowering the volume of the radio signal.
Doing so would also reduce connection quality, i.e. "bars", yes? (Assuming that the user doesn't move geographically closer to the tower.)
The update can also simply turn off the new "Death Ray" feature until the model attains significant enough adoption to doom mankind ...