If you’ve ever wondered how many lumens your iPhone flashlight has, it’s impossible to get a straightforward answer from the manufacturer. Apple says that the iPhone 11 has a brighter true-tone flash, but apart from that, we don’t get any other information.
Experiments by different users suggest that your iPhone’s flashlight is a maximum of 40-50 lumens and a minimum of around 8-12 lumens. It also has a diffused beam, which is suitable for illuminating nearby areas.
The iPhone’s flashlight is just one of the many valuable features for everyday use. If you’ve ever wondered how powerful the iPhone’s flashlight is and if it is good enough, here’s everything you need to know.
How Bright Is the iPhone Flashlight?
The brightness of a flashlight is measured in lumens, but Apple doesn’t specify how bright the iPhone flashlight is. Some enthusiasts pointed out that the flashlight of the iPhone X is roughly 50 lumens at its maximum intensity and 12 lumens at the minimum.
However, it’s important to mention that the LED flashlight and its intensity are not the same for all Apple devices and iPhone models. Hence, it’s difficult to determine the correct value for the light’s brightness.
Is an iPhone Flashlight Good for Outdoor Use?
The iPhone flashlight is good for outdoor use when you have no other light source. Otherwise, it is not good when the iPhone flashlight becomes a reliable light source.
Making your iPhone a dedicated source of light exposes it to environmental hazards. There is a high chance it could fall on the ground or water. It will also drain and weaken your iPhone battery’s health due to overheating.
Nevertheless, in emergencies, an iPhone flashlight is helpful. For example, if you want to quickly illuminate a small area nearby like to find something under your couch or your car seat. However, it might not be the best option for a large area.
Also, for activities such as trekking, hunting, camping, and night walks, an iPhone flashlight is not suitable. Instead, a dedicated source of the flashlight is the best.
Nonetheless, an iPhone flashlight becomes useful on such trips when the dedicated light source runs down. And in such a situation, you can use it till the dedicated light source is reestablished.
Is an iPhone Flashlight Blinding?
An iPhone’s flashlight is not powerful enough to blind you or damage your eyes. You’ll be able to handle that brightness. However, if you stare at it for a while, you might experience sore or red eyes, dizziness, and temporary headaches. You should not focus on any light for a prolonged time, whether your iPhone’s flashlight or your hunting flashlight.
Is It Possible for the iPhone Flashlight To Burn Out?
The iPhone flashlight does not burn out as long as there is power in the battery. It maintains the intensity of its brightness regardless of the battery percentage. Compared to the LED bulbs used at home, the iPhone flashlight is more durable and works longer than regular LED bulbs.
Does an iPhone Flashlight Use Up a Lot of Battery?
Yes, constant or prolonged use of the iPhone flashlight can drain the battery, especially if you’re using it at the highest intensity. You can change the intensity according to your needs. Here’s how:
- Open the “Control Center”.
- Long-press the “Torch Icon”.
- You’ll see different levels of intensity. You can slide up or down to choose the most suitable level.
Summary
Your iPhone can produce a pretty decent amount of light (roughly 40-50 lumens), but it has a few drawbacks. For instance, it’s not as powerful as a real flashlight, and it drains the phone’s battery. So while the iPhone flashlight is excellent for lighting up nearby areas, it’s not the best option for outdoor activities.
A dedicated flashlight is the better option if you often rely on your phone’s flashlight. It’s not only brighter, but the range and beam profile are also better. Plus, they’re not too heavy and are very handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
A smartphone’s LED needs about 3V and 20mA. Considering these numbers, the total watts it needs is 0.06 watts.
Phones use a bright white LED for the flashlight. Usually, the same light also functions as the flash for the camera.
Flashlights that produce about 20-150 lumens of light are suitable for use around the home and even for some outdoor excursions.
