Key Highlights:
- Apple warns customers that exposing their iPhones to certain sorts of vibrations might cause irreversible damage to the imaging system.
- According to the firm, the issue is with the optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop focusing systems in iPhones
- Mountain bikers, in addition to motorcycle riders, have reportedly complained about iPhone camera damage.
Motorcycle vibrations degrade camera performance
If you ride a motorbike, the engine of your bike might be causing damage to your iPhone cameras. Customers are being warned by Apple that exposing their iPhones to certain sorts of vibrations might cause irreversible damage to the imaging system.
The warning was discreetly published by Apple in a new Apple support document titled, “Exposure to vibrations, like those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines, might impact iPhone cameras.“
“Exposing your iPhone to high amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges, specifically those generated by high-power motorcycle engines can degrade the performance of the camera system,” Apple writes.
OIS and closed-loop focusing systems
According to the firm, the issue is with the optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop focusing systems in iPhones, which operate to compensate for movement, vibrations, and gravity effects.
To decrease blur in photographs, the OIS technology employs a gyroscope to detect camera motions and moves the lens based on the data. The closed-loop AF system employs magnetic sensors to detect gravity and vibration and determine the proper lens position to compensate for them.
“Long-term direct exposure to high-amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges may degrade the performance of these systems and lead to reduced image quality for photos and videos,” Apple warns. “It is recommended to avoid exposing your iPhone to extended high-amplitude vibrations.
If your iPhone is tightly connected to the motorbike, such as if you use it as a GPS navigator while riding, it may be most affected by these vibrations.
“High-power or high-volume motorcycle engines generate intense high-amplitude vibrations, which are transmitted through the chassis and handlebars,” Apple says. “It is not recommended to attach your iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines due to the amplitude of the vibration in certain frequency ranges that they generate.”
Limit exposure to powerful engines
Automobiles with smaller and less powerful engines may be less harmful to iPhones, but you should still limit your exposure.
Attaching your iPhone to vehicles with small-volume or electric motors, such as mopeds and scooters, may result in comparably lower-amplitude vibrations, but using a vibration dampening attachment is suggested to reduce the potential of damage to your iPhone and its OIS and AF systems,” Apple adds. “It is also advised to avoid regular use for extended periods of time to reduce the danger of damage.”
This issue has been reported online by iPhone users throughout the years. Mountain bikers, in addition to motorcycle riders, have reportedly complained about iPhone camera damage. This problem may impact all iPhone models beginning with the iPhone 7 (as well as the iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6S Plus).
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