Oh so that’s why your iPhone stops functioning properly after a while
Recently Apple released a new support document highlighting how the iPhone camera sensors can easily be damaged when exposed to different vibrational frequencies such as those generated by high-power motorcycle engines. The document states, “High-power or high-volume motorcycle engines generate intense high-amplitude vibrations, which are transmitted through the chassis and handlebars. 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.”
The document further explains the working of iPhone cameras and the different features work using optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop autofocus (AF). OIS uses a gyroscope which results in clear pictures even if you accidentally move the camera while capturing pictures while the AF uses magnetic sensors to resist the effects of gravity and vibrations to provide you a sharp focus in pictures, videos and panoramas. These features are both easily susceptible to damage when exposed to high vibrational frequencies.
There have been many reports in the past of iPhones being damaged even after being mounted on bikes for a short period of time. While Apple didn’t release any support documents for those claims, it did issue a warning about how using magnetic accessories with iPhones could interfere with the iPhone’s cameras. Fortunately, those interferences are temporary and can be resolved by removing the magnetic accessories. But this is the first time that Apple has addressed the issue of their sensitive camera features and issued a support document for it. Maybe this time around, Apple couldn’t get away by simply issuing a warning and had to take more prominent steps to avoid lawsuits from angry iPhone buyers in the future. You can see the document for yourself here. In short, just don’t attach your iPhone to your motorcycle or any other revving engine if you want your iPhone photos to still look good.
