iPhone 4S camera lens rattle

Looks like this is the normal design for the lens elements. It seems as if they're free floating until the focus mechanism kicks in. (Test the rattling while focusing for pictures, it stops when it's actively focusing.) I'm guessing they focus with a magnetic field of some kind, but float freely when not in use.

I doubt it's lens on lens contact... unless... naaaaah, they couldn't have overlooked something like that.

I still hear a tinkle/rattle Noise when I am focusing, just a bit less. It really sounds like glass hitting glass to me. Which is odd.

Confirmed that it is the autofocus.

Just attempted a number of focusing options, and finally did an AF lock on a close focus which completely eliminated the rattling. After closing the camera app, the rattle is back.

Hope it doesn't affect the lenses.

Just wanted to throw my name in the hat for camera rattle. I'm quite annoyed by it since every time I set the phone down it sounds like I'm setting down a baby rattle and not a top of the line piece of electronics.

Also, does anyone else feel a vibration within the phone when you tap it? It feels to me like there is a loose board or component. It's quite noticeable during games that require a lot of tapping and is more pronounced towards the bottom of the phone. Am I alone on this one? The 4 felt much more solid to me.

I am having the same issue. I have a 32 black iPhone 4s. I agree that it is definately the camera. When I used the camera and had it AF close up and tapped the back of the screen there is no rattling, but if it is not AF on something then it sounds like something is loose. My 4s doesn't have any other issues and I'm happy with it, I guess my question for the forum and anyone with Apple that's reviewing these, would be is there anything that can be done so that when I put the phone down it doesn't rattle? Will this rattling eventually cause me issues in the future?

I will let you know that I went to the Verizon store in Orlando and the display 4s had the rattle as well as the two display iPhone 4 models. These were not as loud as the 4s, but I would attribute that to the camera being 8mp rather than 5 and having the additional lens. Pretty sure by reading all the posts on many sites that this is an ongoing issue.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Searching on this issue some more I can definately confirm that it is the Auto Focus feature.

If you use the camera and go in close to something so the phone uses the auto focus and then hold down on the screen for 2 seconds and let go the Auto Focus will lock until you click the screen again. While the Auto focus was locked, the rattling was definately gone!!!

I tried to push the menu button to see if it would stay in Auto Focus, but it didn't and the rattling was back. If there was only an update that Apple could do to the software that has the phone auto focus while not in use this would eliminate the rattling that are lens related.

Sorry for the multiple posts, just wanted to share this as it is a good way to test if it is the camera or as others have suggested, the power/lock button.

I'll add one more to the list. Got my iPhone 4S pre-order in the mail on Friday and immediately noticed this issue. I get the rattle if I tap near the camera, or just to the left of the home button (as the author of this thread mentioned). I was very disappointed to find it, but like most others am glad it's not an isolated incident.

Let's see if Apple ever comes out with an official response.

My hearing is not the best. That said, I can't hear any rattling when I tap my IP4 S. When my wife comes home, I'll have her try it as she has BIG earsl.

I can't be 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure that when I got mine last Friday that it didn't have the rattling. It wasn't until yesterday when I put the phone down on my desk that I heard something. I thought for sure it was the case and took the case off. I then realized that it was coming from inside the phone and started to look through the forums. Like I said earlier though, the Verizon Wireless floor model at the verizon store had the same rattling.

Last night I did tap the back of my old Blackberry that I had and it had similar rattling near the camera. It also has Auto Focus, so I'm pretty sure that this is what is causing the rattling. Other than this annoyance my phone is great. This is the reason I am hesitant to try another phone. I may get a dud or something with worse issues. I figure that my phone still has the 1 year warranty with Apple and then the additional warranty through Verizon Assurance. Worse case senario, I'll wait a while and bring it to them if it gets worse.

In the meantime, if anyone comes accross a fix for this issue or speaks to someone at Apple that gives an answer to this topic, please let me know.

Because of the rattling, i got a new iphone 4S from Apple Support today.

(Exemplary support, btw!)

I also can hear the rattling on the new one, but not as loud as on my previous one.

So, a little improvement for me. I can live with the "little" rattling.

Timo

Im still some what disapointed that the camera lens rattles.

I do understand that yes its the auto focus mech of the camera, but sure Apple can tell the camera to rest in a certain position so it doesnt rattle.

Im just so worried that the glass clanging together will mark each other thats all.

Apple, have you any thoughts on this?

It's the autofocus mechanism. On more expensive cameras like the Panasonic HVX-200 it does the same thing until auto-focus is on (and the camera is powered up). In fact, it's the VERY first question mentioned in the extended manual because people were worried over a clicking as you tilt the camera, while unpowered, back and forth since then it cost about $8000 per HVX camera.

Seeing how the lens auto-focuses so much on the iPhone 4S I was surprised it didn't rattle while I was just holding it and moving it around. Hearing the little noise as I set it down on a table or something just lets me know (based on experience with many other cameras) that the auto-focus mechanism seems to be more robust than I'd originally thought.

My 3GS and 4s do it. I'm not worried about it.

I noticed this from when I got it Friday. I was worried at first, but then I talked to the Genius Bar. The guy said my camera was a little bit more loose than normal. So I got a replacement, and the rattle is the same. Just a common trend in all iPhones I guess. No worries people.