The Evolution of Phone Vibrators
45sHistorical comparison of phone vibrators with a nostalgic nod to the LG G6 is engaging and educational.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
This video explores the evolution of smartphone vibrators, from early ERM motors to the advanced linear resonant actuators in modern devices like the iPhone Air and Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.
Chapters
[00:00]
Coin vibrators introduced
Smartphone companies replaced ERM vibrators with coin-style vibrators in the early 2000s, as seen in the LG G6.
[00:13]
Limitations of coin vibrators
Coin vibrators are quieter, cleaner, and faster, but cannot provide complex vibrations for different situations like gaming or calls.
[00:28]
Apple's Taptic Engine
Apple popularized linear resonant actuators with the Taptic Engine, offering infinite custom vibrations and stronger feedback.
[00:54]
iPhone Air Taptic Engine teardown
The iPhone Air Taptic Engine is smaller than previous models, featuring dual copper coils and a spring-mounted magnet for instant response.
[01:26]
Switch 2 haptics
Similar haptic vibrators are found in Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.
Study Flashcards (4)
What are the advantages of coin-style vibrators over ERM vibrators?
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What are the advantages of coin-style vibrators over ERM vibrators?
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Coin-style or pancake vibrators are quieter, cleaner, and can start and stop quicker than ERM vibrators.
00:13
Which company made linear resonant actuators popular?
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Which company made linear resonant actuators popular?
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Apple popularized linear resonant actuators with their Taptic Engine in iPhones.
00:28
What components are inside the iPhone Air Taptic Engine?
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What components are inside the iPhone Air Taptic Engine?
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The Taptic Engine has dual copper coils for instant feedback and a magnet held by metal springs on both ends, returning to center instantly after the signal stops.
01:10
Why are linear resonant actuators better at providing complex vibrations?
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Why are linear resonant actuators better at providing complex vibrations?
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Linear resonant actuators can provide an infinite number of custom vibrations and have a stronger feeling due to their longer form factor.
00:40
💡 Key Takeaways
📊
Smartphone vibrator evolution
Explains the shift from ERM to coin-style vibrators in the early 2000s.
📊
Apple's Taptic Engine
Apple popularized linear resonant actuators, enabling custom haptic feedback.
00:28
🔧
Taptic Engine design
Details the dual copper coils and spring-mounted magnet that allow instant response.
00:54Full Transcript
[00:00] So the smartphone company started swapping the ERM vibrators out for coin style vibrators in the early 2000s. Like this one inside the LG G6, may they rest in peace. It's a cute little guy.
[00:13] Coin style or pancake vibrators are also what we find in smartwatches. They are quieter, cleaner, and they can start and stop quicker, but they still operate by throwing their weight around eccentrically. And they are not very good at providing complex vibrations for different
[00:28] situations like gaming, text calls, or screen taps, all of which should feel different. Enter in the linear resonant actuators. It was Apple who made these haptic motors popular with
[00:40] their Taptic Engine in the iPhones, so it's only fitting that we take a look at the vibrator inside of the new iPhone Air. These things are laser welded shut, so we got to get a little creative. The cool thing about these Taptic Engines is that they can provide an infinite
[00:54] number of custom feeling vibrations or taps. And since they are linear, they have more distance inside to throw their weight around. And since the form factor of the vibrator is longer, it has a stronger feeling vibration as well. The iPhone Air Taptic Engine is a tad smaller than what we've
[01:10] historically seen in some of the other iPhones, and it'll be interesting to see what we find in the 17 Pro. We have the dual copper coils for instant feedback, as well as the magnet that is held in place by metal springs on either end. So it returns to the center point instantly after
[01:26] the vibrating signal has stopped. No spool down needed. We also see a very similar haptic vibrator inside the new Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.
