Abstract
This article evaluates the accuracy of noise measurements for 37 noise measurement applications for iPhone 4 and iPhone 3Gs. Noise levels were measured using simultaneously a precision sound level meter and iPhones installed noise measurement applications at the levels of 70 dB, 80 dB and 90 dB at 1,000 Hz. Measurement errors were estimated by subtracting two measurements between iPhone and sound level meter. It was found that measurement errors of 34 applications(89.2%) were greater than ${\pm}2$ dB which is the maximum allowable error range for the Type II sound level meter. It was only 4 applications that measurement errors lie within ${\pm}2$ dB error range. There was no significant differences among measurements with four iPhone 4s. However, there were significant differences between the measurements with iPhone 4 and iPhone 3Gs using the same application. It was due to the different hardware specifications such as microphone. Therefore, noise measurement applications, for example, which has to utilize hardware of the smartphone, should be programmed to identify hardware specifications and to adopt appropriate correction factors upon hardware specifications. In conclusion, it is necessary to check accuracy and validity before using the noise measurement applications for iPhones. Also, it was suggested that it should develop an evaluation guideline or protocol on accuracy testing for the measurement applications using a smartphone.