Apple Warns Vibrations Like Those From High-Power Motorcycle Engines Can Harm iPhone Cameras

[Ninja Dom]

I question how much experience you have with Go-pros. The problem is, they overheat. If you subscribe to any major YouTube channels, most of them do use GoPro cameras, but it’s one of the biggest gripes discussed is that they overheat, which either causes a temporary shut down or even memory loss. For me, for an iPhone as an ‘action camera’, I’ve never had that happen, ever. So in that respect, the iPhone trumps GoPro without contest.

The problems with the newest GoPro cameras overheating is when they record 4K/60fps or 5K/30fps for over 30 minutes, in general warm conditions or warm areas.

I have the GoPro Hero 9 Black. I’m also an iPhone 12 Pro Max user.

As an action camera, the iPhone can’t compare. Due to the dimensions and durability of the GoPro you can place, mount or position the GoPro in places you wouldn’t even dream of doing the same with your iPhone. There’s a reason action cams like GoPro’s exist.

Back to the GoPro overheating. As I said, this is when recording over 30 minutes of video at 4K/60. The most intensive video recording, in warm conditions. On a handlebar mount of a bike (which is the point of the Apple warning), this shouldn’t be a problem as there will be plenty of cooling to the GoPro body during movement.

 

[Craiger]

I’ll bet these vibrations aren’t good for humans either after long exposure.

 

[Johnny London]

Major. Who would have thought? What about offroad cycling? Probably not an iPhone only problem.

 

[stevet]

This isn't unreasonable. There are components that move really short distances in the phone that can't be protected from these types of micro vibrations.

People that are complaining that it's crap equipment don't understand physics

 

[stevet]

I’ll bet these vibrations aren’t good for humans either after long exposure.

I put deep tone mufflers on my harley that causes involuntary defecation. I've got a pending lawsuit on that company for pain and suffering cause everyone laughs at me.

 

[Grayburn]

I’ve had 2 12 Pro’s swapped out by Apple because of this. I was using my road bike (bicycle) though with the phone in a Quadlock holder.

I’ve since sold the Quadlock and use a Wahoo Elemnt Bolt now instead.

I did moan at Quadlock after the second time as they started selling a vibration damper for their holders because of this problem but wouldn’t even entertain sending me one.

 

[JosephAW]

I’m assuming when your camera is off it’s not still running the circuitry for stabilization, correct?

 

[Crowbot]

I’m assuming when your camera is off it’s not still running the circuitry for stabilization, correct?

Sorry, no. The vibrating of the phone will cause damage to the physical components whether on or off.

 

[JosephAW]

I am assuming that the built in vibrator on my iPhone 11 Pro Max does not damage the cameras over time, right?

 

[Kabeyun]

I use this vibration damper for my iPhone 11. Works well but I suspect this is predominantly an iPhone 12 problem

Motorcycle - Vibration Dampener

The Quad Lock® Vibration Dampener protects smartphone camera's image stabilisation from harmful vibrations wherever you use your motorcycle. The Quad Lock Vibration Dampener reduces over 90% of high frequency vibrations produced by motorcycles.

www.quadlockcase.com

View attachment 1829412

Is this the same for all major brand of smart phone or an apple only thing?

This is not Apple, nor is it a problem. It’s expected of the relatively delicate components of an OIS system in any device. Just don't subject it to sustained vibrations. Look at the description of the quad lock mount; the word “Apple” doesn’t appear anywhere. Apple just decided to put it in their caution statements, probably because everyone loves to sue them.

 

[danpass]

ironically, I wish there was a way to turn off OIS.

When mounted properly OIS actually interferes with focus as it tries to compensate for movement that really isn’t there.

The internet fix has been to place a magnet opposite the camera on the iPhone lol.

 

[genovelle]

I have a really vague recollection of one of the iPhone announcements in which Apple was showing off the cameras by taking video in a desert, and I think the cameras were attached to off road vehicles or motorcycles or something like that. Didn't even have one where they attached to a hockey stick? It all blurs together. Anyhow, they always show their products in ads taken to the extreme but then of course AppleCare won't cover it.

Edit:

I found one of them (I think there were more like this). They even show the word "SHOT" shaking back and forth and you can see these vehicles are obviously vibrating:

There is a difference in these vehicles and attaching your phone to the handlebars of a high power motorcycles. It’s like attaching it directly to the engine. No dampening at all.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I was waiting for this. I saw the images of the 'periscope camera', and saw failure all over it. Something that small is doomed to fail due to vibration. It can't be shielded against issues that could dislodge the parts of the mechanism. It's one reason I won't mount my iPhone on a bike. Just no... Plus I was afraid that the iPhone 10s Max could provide enough uplift to make me airborne.

If you need to capture your rides, get a real camera made for that purpose. Today's cellphones are way to fragile to be used in that matter. I'd be wondering how many phones have died just due to vibration and destruction of the connections inside chips, and also other internal parts. I'm sure it's not epidemic, but constant vibration can cause permanent nerve damage, so it seems only logical that it could destroy a cell phone, and/or the cameras. People need to realize that they aren't indestructible.

Would a GoPro survive that kind of constant exposure to high vibration?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Lol who would even strap their phone directly to the motorcycle. Ever heard of pockets? Pockets with zipper even?

But it doesn't have a chain attached to it...

 

[eltoslightfoot]

I find it bizarre that someone needs to be explicitly told this. The camera optics has elements and parts that need to be aligned with extreme precision while still needing to be mobile for focussing and stabilization. If you mechanically shake that system around for extended time - what would you expect to happen?

And yet it sounds like it wasn't a problem with older iphones?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I’ll bet these vibrations aren’t good for humans either after long exposure.

It can cause permanent nerve damage.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

And yet it sounds like it wasn't a problem with older iphones?

Older phones weren't trying to get SLR camera style performance from a thin device.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

How many people are actually out there using their expensive iPhone as an action camera? That’s what a GoPro is for.

How many people have their cell phone in their pocket while traveling somewhere? Pretty much everyone.

 

[IIGS User]

Good. Get rid of the motorcycles and pickup trucks.

Way to bait. Suck it, I have one of each.

Obligatory bike picture.

No pickup picture handy, but I assure you it's an excessively large, overpowered, large grilled, gas guzzling beast.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Sorry, no. The vibrating of the phone will cause damage to the physical components whether on or off.

When I was in the IEEE, they had an article about chip failures. There were many ways that a chip could fail, and not all of them were vibration., but some of the failures they observed were epic catastrophes in that small world. The gold interconnects failing, some chips were notorious for failures of that type. It's hard to believe that a thin piece of gold wire, thinner than a human hair, can vibrate enough to actually break off of a chip. Incredible...

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Way to bait. Suck it, I have one of each.

Obligatory bike picture.

View attachment 1829524

No pickup picture handy, but I assure you it's an excessively large, overpowered, large grilled, gas guzzling beast.

Some would say you are compensating for something, but the love of going fast is something that I really enjoy. I've ridden my bike (bicycle) nearly 60 mph, and it's thrilling. (And talk about vibration, it's really bad sometimes)

GoPro, VIRB, etc...

 

[UnalignedByte]

Now I know why my iPhone XS camera went to sh** after three years. I got my a bike a couple of months back, now the main camera (both of them) behaves as if it was drunk. Sometimes hitting it by hand fixes it for a couple of seconds (enough to take a normal-looking photo).

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

How many people have their cell phone in their pocket while traveling somewhere? Pretty much everyone.

Pocket is still isolated from the vibration to a very large degree. It doesn't mean it's zero, but it is a lot less. A 'softer' vibration.

 

[UnalignedByte]

Lol who would even strap their phone directly to the motorcycle. Ever heard of pockets? Pockets with zipper even?

People who use their phone for navigation of playing music while riding. You attach it to handle bar, you get an easy access and view of your phone. Crazy, isn't it?

 

[UnalignedByte]

I find it bizarre that someone needs to be explicitly told this. The camera optics has elements and parts that need to be aligned with extreme precision while still needing to be mobile for focussing and stabilization. If you mechanically shake that system around for extended time - what would you expect to happen?

This system is specifically designed to deal with situation like this, when the phone is being moved and shaken (hence unstable). The question is the degree of it. For example I had not idea of it being a problem so now I have broken camera. Do you think it's obvious? If so, why certain bikes/scooters are alright while others are not? What amount of shaking is normal and what is excessive?