5 common mistakes that could permanently damage your phone’s camera

Do not shoot a laser light show using your smartphone:

Rehearsal for the laser show. (Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Concerts often use high-intensity laser lights. Shooting that with your smartphone can permanently damage the camera sensor, due to their high energy density, affecting both the lens system and the sensor itself.

Mounting on a bike:

Even the affordable Bounce Infinity e.1 has an integrated SIM card (Image credit: Bounce)

Mounting your smartphone on a bike or scooter can permanently damage the smartphone camera. This is due to the vibrations caused by the fast-moving vehicle. To mount a smartphone on a bike, use a special mounting kit designed to absorb vibrations.

Do not use a smartphone underwater:

Water splashes around a display of waterproof Sony smartphones and tablets during the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada (Reuters)

While some brands showcase underwater shooting abilities, this can permanently damage the device, even with an IP rating. Extended use underwater heats up the phone, and condensation can cause water to enter the system, damaging the camera.

Shooting in extreme temperatures:

The tripod fits all sort of cameras from DSLRs to smartphones, webcams and GoPros. (Image Source: Nandagopal Rajan/ The Indian Express)

Shooting in extreme temperatures, whether too cold or too hot, can damage the camera. One example is directly shooting the sun for extended periods, especially during solar eclipses. However, you can safely shoot the moon with a smartphone, and some phones even have dedicated moon modes.

Using camera lens protectors:

The Xiaomi 13 Pro’s camera has Leica lenses at the back. (Image source: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)

While seemingly protective, poorly installed or low-quality lens protectors can scratch the camera lenses. Even minor gaps between the lens and protector can trap dust particles, potentially damaging the lens.

Needless to say, dropping the smartphone can also damage camera features like stabilisation and focusing capabilities.