NASA announced, that astronauts will be able to fly with smartphones, starting with the upcoming flights of SpaceX Crew-12 to the ISS and Artemis II — a manned flyby of the Moon.
NASA accelerated the certification of modern equipment for space flights, by revising old bureaucratic approaches. It is precisely because of these requirements that certified special cameras have been used in orbit for years (like DSLRs and action cameras), while consumer electronics were allowed much more cautiously. Before the gadgets are allowed into space, they are checked for outgassing of materials (outgassing), electromagnetic compatibility and potential interference with other systems; sometimes wireless modules can limit or disable. Tablets on board have been used for a long time, but for government missions (especially monthly) such a move looks like a marked change in policy.
For space research and "field" astronomy, this can be of practical use: smartphone — a compact camera + computing platform for rapid technical fixation (state of nodes, damage, assembly / dismantling), "live" reports and educational content. And from the scientific side, it is possible to quickly shoot atmospheric phenomena, aurora and other short-lived events, using modern mobile shooting modes.
Source: https://universemagazine.com