Apple Warns iPhone Users, Apple today released a new support document that warns iPhone users that the camera on their device may be damaged by exposure to certain vibration frequencies, such as those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines.
The issue in question is with the optical image stabilization (OIS) feature that iPhone cameras have. While Apple says that the OIS system is designed for durability, long-term exposure to vibrations of a certain frequency can degrade its performance.
“However, as is the case with many consumer electronics that include systems like OIS, 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 explained.
Apple further added that “it is recommended to avoid exposing your iPhone to extended high-amplitude vibrations.”
Apple says that it is only high-power or high-volume motorcycles, mainly superbikes, that generate many vibrations transmitted through the chassis and handlebars of the bikes.
“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,” Apple said.
Apple Warns iPhone Users
This piece of news can disappoint Apple iPhone users as the Cupertino-based tech giant has revealed that iPhone users who are riding a bike can get their smartphone cameras damaged due to the vibrations coming out of the engines of high-powered motorcycles.
Apple, in its report, said that iPhones could be damaged due to certain vibration frequencies such as those generated from the engines of high-powered motorcycles. In addition, the company said that iPhone camera lenses with optical image stabilization (OIS) or closed-loop autofocus could damage easily as they use gyroscopes and/ or magnetic sensors to help compensate for movement and vibrations while shooting photos or video.
“The OIS and closed-loop AF systems in iPhone are designed for durability. However, as is the case with many consumer electronics that include systems like OIS, 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.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid exposing your iPhone to extended high-amplitude vibrations,” Apple has said on its support page.
Read Elon Musk wants to become Apple’s CEO
Further recommending users, Apple warned that they should never attach their iPhones directly to the chassis or handlebars of such motorcycles, as the direct transmission of vibrations can be intense.
It also suggested that users keep their iPhones on lower-powered devices like mopeds and electric scooters to lower the chances of getting their cameras broken.
You can question the timing as Apple did not reveal any specific details on why it mentioned this problem right now.
Earlier, Apple had warned that OIS and closed-loop autofocus systems could suffer from magnetic interference that puts down the camera performance when used with certain iPhone accessories.
As a result, iPhone models from iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s onwards came with optical image stabilization and/or closed-loop autofocus.
Read If you are using iPhone then be alert.
The Bottom Line
Apple says the problem stems from its optical image stabilization (OIS) software, which it uses on all of its best iPhones to make images less blurry, compensating for hand movements whilst you take a picture. Another feature, closed-loop autofocus, which resists gravity and vibration to preserve sharp focus, is also at the heart of the issue.
Apple says that these systems are designed to be durable but that they can be damaged by long-term and direct exposure to high amplitude vibrations:
The OIS and closed-loop AF systems in iPhone are designed for durability. However, as is the case with many consumer electronics that include systems like OIS, 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. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid exposing your iPhone to extended high-amplitude vibrations.
In particular, Apple says that high-power or high-volume motorcycle engines “generate intense high-amplitude vibrations, which are transmitted through the chassis and handlebars,” which could damage an iPhone attached to the front of a bike for use with navigation or some other purpose. As such, Apple says, “it is not recommended to attach your iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines.”
