iphones and extreme cold

how do they do when it's really cold - -20 to -50? will the screen or batteries get damaged?

my blackberry didn't work in that kind of cold unless i kept it in an internal pocket, next to my torso, in a small plastic or silnylon bag. 

Most of the devices with LCDs I have specify a minimum "storage" temperature above 0°F, although I have used some of them as low as -30 to -40°. Usually, the batteries get too weak to operate before that. In cold weather, I carry widgets that depend on batteries or have LCDs in a ziplock bag inside my layers. I have had built-in lenscovers freeze (my wife's Canon P&S at -30°C in Antarctica) or only open part way -

But my Nikon D300s did fine in a storm in Antarctica at -40° with a bit of added windchill -

And my Pentax W90 P&S worked just fine nearing the summit of Vinson (Antarctica) on a warm -25°C day.

It seems to depend on the particular camera, the battery (lithium chemistry is much better than alkalines, NiCd, or even NiMH). In any case, protect it from the cold as much as possible. I have left one of my Nikon DSLRs in the tent on summit day while carrying a small camera to the summit, and found it worked just fine when I got back to camp after sitting 10 hours or so in the cold., albeit in the tent.

ah, great reminder about my point/shoot.  it has a rechargeable lithium, hopefully OK.  

I haven't had my iPhone out anywhere near that cold, but it works fine in 0- -10f. Keep it in a pocket so it stays kinda warm and it should work fine for those few minutes here and there you need to use it I would think.

Bill S said:

I have had built-in lenscovers freeze (my wife's Canon P&S at -30°C in Antarctica) or only open part way -

LOL! Had that happen with my Sony P&S but I didn't realize it was sticking until partway into the trip. Came home to discover that half my photos looked just like this!

My LG cell phone is worse, though - the battery craps out at 0°C unless I have it in an inside pocket.

have an LG cell phone too. so far, no issues with the cold, but then 25 on mt laguna isn't really cold.

Keep it next to hand warmer, works for me.

I just keep my phone as close to my body as possible during the day and in my sleeping bag(footbox) at night.

The battery in my phone is non-removable.

I also treat my camera batteries(3) the same way.

Please sign in to reply