Apple Eyes Multispectral Cameras for Future iPhones
- Key Takeaway 1: Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station says Apple is evaluating multispectral camera sensors for future iPhones.
- Key Takeaway 2: Multispectral sensors detect visible, infrared and ultraviolet light, used today in military, satellite and industrial imaging.
- Key Takeaway 3: Commercial benefits could include better color accuracy and low-light performance, but smartphone tests so far have been underwhelming.
- Key Takeaway 4: Apple interest is preliminary — supply chain review is ongoing and tests have not yet begun.
What Digital Chat Station reported
Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station posted that "Apple is also interested in 'multi-spectrum', the supply chain is being evaluated, and the test has not yet begun." The report does not name suppliers or confirm timelines.
What a multispectral camera is
Conventional smartphone cameras use RGB sensors that capture only visible light. Multispectral cameras expand that range to include non-visible bands such as infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV).
How it works
Instead of just red, green and blue filters, multispectral systems use additional filters or sensors tuned to narrower wavelength bands. That lets them measure light characteristics outside the visible spectrum and produce richer spectral data per pixel.
Practical uses and current examples
Multispectral imaging has long been used in satellites, drones and military systems for target detection, crop health monitoring and weather analysis. Industrial applications include quality control and material inspection.
Smartphone experiments
Huawei has experimented with multispectral elements in at least two smartphone models, promoting improved color fidelity and low-light results. Reviewers, however, reported limited real-world gains and noted that the technology has not yet proven a clear advantage for everyday mobile photography.
Why Apple interest doesn’t guarantee arrival
Apple evaluates many camera and sensor technologies during research phases. Digital Chat Station has a solid but imperfect track record; an interest report signals exploration, not commitment.
Technical and commercial hurdles
Adding multispectral capability raises design, cost and processing requirements. Firmware, ISP adjustments and machine-learning pipelines must leverage the new bands to deliver visible benefits — a nontrivial engineering effort for a consumer device.
Bottom line
Multispectral sensors could eventually improve iPhone color accuracy and low-light imaging, but current evidence suggests any rollout would be cautious and likely years away. For now, Apple’s activity appears to be evaluation rather than imminent product adoption.
