Apple has just published a new article in its support section indicating a curious fact: The vibrations generated by motorcycles can damage the iPhone camera. The company has explained the problems at a technical level that these vibrations can generate, causing the final quality of our iPhone at a photographic level to degrade.
All part of the iPhone are devices equipped with OIS, a common optical stabilization system in the high range. The OIS is not very fond of vibrations in certain frequency ranges, so the performance of the stabilizer can be degraded if we frequently expose it to this type of movement.
If you are a biker, watch out for your iPhone camera
“Exposing your iPhone to high-amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges, specifically those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines, can degrade the performance of the camera system.” That’s how direct the message from Apple starts, indicating that motorcycles are not the iPhone’s best friend.
Both the electronic stabilization system and the autofocus system are very sensitive to vibrations: abusing them can end up damaging the camera permanently
Specifically, Apple explains that its iPhones are equipped with OIS. The optical stabilizer is still a gyroscope that detects when the camera moves to compensate for camera shake. Similarly, iPhones have a closed autofocus system, which resists the effects of gravity and vibrations to preserve sharpness in focus.
These two OIS and AF systems are very sensitive to vibrations, so exposing them for a long time to vibrations in a high frequency range, such as those of a motorcycle, can reach damage the camera itself, since both systems are key to the final quality.
“Docking your iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume motors is not recommended due to the amplitude of vibration in certain frequency ranges they generate. Connecting your iPhone to vehicles with small-volume or electric motors, such as mopeds and scooters, it can cause comparatively lower amplitude vibrations, but if it does, a vibration dampening mount is recommended to reduce the risk of damage to your iPhone and its OIS and AF Systems. “
That is why Apple does not recommend that we attach our iPhone to a support if we use a high-displacement motorcycle. Vibration can be transmitted along the handlebar, damaging the mobile if we make this use for a long time. Similarly, it warns users of smaller motorcycles, such as mopeds or scooters: they vibrate less, but it is not advisable to attach the mobile to your handlebar.
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