The next time you see a cool EV parked on the streets or on the road, you might want to be careful about taking photos of it. This is because according to tech YouTuber MKBHD, the camera on his iPhone 16 Pro got absolutely destroyed by the car’s LiDAR system .
iPhone 16 Pro destroyed by car LiDAR
According to MKBHD, it seems that when pointing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro at a car equipped with a LiDAR system, the infrared lights from the system can actually damage a phone’s camera . This resulted in permanent bright spots in the camera that will require a complete replacement. No software fix, no resets.
He also notes that this does not usually happen to professional camera equipment. This is because unlike professional camera gear, our phone cameras are not properly coated. On professional gear, manufacturers might coat the lenses and sensors with infrared protection. However, phone cameras are designed to be thin and compact. Plus, slapping on a coating means extra cost for a feature that may or may not be used by the majority of users.
So, what does this mean for smartphone users? Well, the next time you want to snap a photo of a car be careful where you’re pointing your phone. If the car’s LiDAR system is particularly obvious, like in the Volvo EX90 in the video, then be sure it’s not pointed directly at it or in its proximity.
We can’t say for sure if third-party covers or protectors will protect against it. However, we don’t think you should find out, unless you don’t mind shelling out for a camera replacement.
What is LiDAR?
For those unfamiliar, modern cars, especially EVs , come equipped with LiDAR systems. These are essentially scanners that help with features like assisted driving. They are also used to scan for people, objects, or other cars for better collision avoidance. They’re also used to help map out the environment.
For the most part, the invisible beams are harmless to humans, it can be damaging to equipment like smartphone cameras. If you have taken photos of modern day cars with LiDAR scanners using your phone, you might want to check it to make sure your cameras haven’t been damaged.
