14 Jan 2025
External vibration test: SMA's unmatched OIS camera performance
By Stefan Hansen, Marketing Communications Manager
Capturing smooth and stable video footage has become an important feature for smartphone users. Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology offers significant advantages for autofocus (AF) and optical image stabilisation (OIS), delivering exceptional camera performance even in challenging conditions. To highlight a key advantage of SMA, Cambridge Mechatronics conducted a real-world external vibration assessment comparing SMA-equipped cameras to those using Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology.
To evaluate how VCM and SMA technologies perform under rapid external vibrations, the main cameras of the HONOR Magic 6 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Xiaomi 14 handsets were tested while mounted on the handlebars of a moving scooter. The HONOR Magic 6 Pro - featuring SMA technology for AF and OIS - was compared against the three VCM-based systems. Each VCM-equipped smartphone was filming side-by-side with the HONOR Magic 6 Pro, ensuring the devices were tested under identical conditions for each clip.
During the test, an accelerometer recorded vibrational forces which typically ranged between 20-40 m/s², with occasional peaks reaching approximately 60 m/s².
Figure 1: Example of accelerometer data from a smartphone mounted to a moving scooter
The test results were very clear: The HONOR Magic 6 Pro, powered by SMA technology for AF and OIS, produced substantially smoother and more stable footage compared to the VCM-equipped smartphones. A series of tests captured in the video below highlight these differences, pitting the Magic 6 Pro against flagship models from Samsung, Apple, and Xiaomi. In every test, the Magic 6 Pro consistently outperformed its competitors, demonstrating far superior stability and avoiding the blurry images experienced by the VCM-powered cameras.
Video: External vibration test: S24 Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Xiaomi 14 v HONOR Magic 6 Pro
Notably, the Xiaomi 14, which features VCM HyperOIS technology, falls far short of the performance delivered by the Magic 6 Pro with SMA technology. HyperOIS was developed to counteract fast-moving videos and external vibrations during filming, yet as the video demonstrates, SMA technology clearly outperforms any VCM-based system in this use case, including HyperOIS.
In short, this performance advantage is rooted in SMA's superior hold force and stiffness. During the external vibration tests, SMA actuators provided a firmer hold force on the camera lens, maintaining stability even during rapid movements. This advantage becomes particularly apparent in scenarios involving forceful vibrations, such as filming on a moving vehicle, where SMA effectively minimises shake-induced distortions.
Beyond the clear advantage of stronger hold force, as shown in the video, SMA actuator technology offers several other key benefits for smartphone autofocus AF and OIS in smartphone cameras:
- Compact design - SMA actuators are smaller and lighter than traditional VCM actuators, enabling slimmer smartphone camera designs. Additionally, they eliminate the need for hall sensors or bearings, reducing component count.
- High force-to-mass ratio - SMA actuators can handle heavier lenses and components, such as variable apertures. This capability is particularly valuable as the market moves toward larger sensors, high-quality glass lenses, and advanced aperture systems.
- Minimal Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) - Unlike VCM actuators, SMA is an electromagnetic-free technology so it can safely be placed near magnets, antennae and other EMI-sensitive components - providing greater flexibility in smartphone design and component placement.
For consumers, SMA AF and OIS actuator technology translates into better photo and video quality, particularly in challenging conditions such as low-light or high-motion scenarios. The ability to capture stable footage while walking, biking, or scooting makes SMA-equipped smartphones the ideal choice for content creators and everyday users alike. Smartphone cameras using SMA technology for AF and OIS regularly get top scores in independent camera tests.
For manufacturers, SMA offers a cost-effective and scalable solution to meet growing demands for premium imaging capabilities. The superior performance demonstrated in the external vibration tests highlights SMA’s potential to set new standards in smartphone camera technology.
As smartphones continue to evolve, the broader adoption of SMA technology in camera systems promises further enhancements to user experiences in mobile photography.
About CML: Cambridge Mechatronics Limited (CML) is a world-leading developer of mechanical, optical, electrical, silicon, and software designs for system-level solutions using its Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) platform technology. ACTUATOR SOLUTIONS based on SMA wire (thin as hair) can be controlled to submicron accuracy. These actuators are particularly suited to applications requiring high precision and force levels, in a fast, compact, and lightweight design.
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