On Friday, Apple released a latest new support document detailing how iPhone cameras are vulnerable to damage when exposed to certain vibrational frequencies like those generated by high-power motorcycle engines.
“High-power or high-volume motorcycle engines generate intense high-amplitude vibrations, which are transmitted through the chassis & handlebars. it’s not recommended to-attach your iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines thanks to the amplitude of the vibration in certain frequency ranges that they generate,” wrote apple in their document.
The firm went on to elucidate how two of iPhones’ features work. iPhone models have optical image stabilization (OIS) & closed-loop autofocus (AF).
OIS uses a gyroscope to allow you to take clear photos albeit you mistakenly move the camera while closed-loop AF uses on-board magnetic sensors to resist the consequences of gravity & vibration to preserve sharp focus in stills, videos, & panoramas.
Both these features are vulnerable to damage when exposed to high vibrational frequencies.
Throughout the years there are several reports of iPhones being damaged even when simply mounted on bikes. there is no indication why Apple decided to issue this warning now rather than earlier since this seems to be a preexisting problem.
Apple has however previously warned that magnetic accessories may additionally interfere with iPhone cameras.
“Lens-position sensors answer magnetic fields. If you place a magnet near these sensors, the magnetic flux will interfere with or temporarily disable the sensors. this will degrade the sensors’ accuracy & limit the range of movement available to lenses. The camera will still take photos with other means of stabilization but without the advantage of OIS & closed-loop AF,” wrote Apple in its previous warning.
These issues however are temporary and may be fixed by removing the accessories whereas vibrations cause permanent damage.
In other related news, Facebook has been reported to allegedly activate iPhone cameras when scrolling through the feed back in late 2019.
