Apple is evaluating multispectral imaging technology for future iPhone cameras, according to leaker Digital Chat Station. The Chinese tipster reported this week that Apple has expressed interest in the technology and is assessing supply chain components, though testing has not yet begun.
Multispectral imaging captures light beyond the standard red, green, and blue wavelengths visible to human eyes. This includes infrared and ultraviolet ranges, allowing cameras to detect information conventional smartphone sensors miss. The technology is primarily used for military and industrial applications, especially in satellites and drones, for target identification and quality control.
If adopted, multispectral cameras could enhance Apple's Visual Intelligence features by improving object and background detection. The system would better separate faces from backgrounds by analyzing how different materials reflect light across wavelengths. This could lead to cleaner portrait effects with more reliable edge detection and depth perception.
The same technology could also improve regular photography through better color accuracy and low-light performance. By capturing more spectral information per pixel, iPhone cameras could process images more consistently in mixed lighting conditions. Material identification would become more precise, distinguishing skin from fabric or foliage with higher accuracy.
Digital Chat Station has a mixed track record with Apple leaks but has been accurate on some occasions. In the same Weibo post, the leaker reiterated that iPhone 18 Pro models will feature a 48-megapixel variable aperture main camera. The 2026 model's telephoto lens will reportedly have a larger aperture than current iPhone 17 models.
Separately, reports suggest Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027 could receive Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor (LOFIC) technology rather than multispectral imaging. LOFIC improves detail capture at both high and low light levels. A 200-megapixel sensor remains in material testing stages according to the leaker.
Chinese smartphone maker Huawei has already incorporated multispectral imaging in two smartphone models, citing improved color accuracy and dark environment performance. However, reviewers found the implementation underwhelming, and the technology hasn't gained broader smartphone adoption.
Apple frequently explores technologies that never reach production. The company's current evaluation phase suggests multispectral imaging remains years away from potential iPhone integration, if it happens at all. Engineering challenges include complex sensor designs, higher costs, and space constraints within iPhone chassis.
The exploration aligns with Apple's broader camera strategy focusing on computational photography and AI-powered features. Visual Intelligence, part of Apple Intelligence, continues evolving with better scene description and screenshot analysis capabilities. Multispectral data could provide additional inputs for these machine learning systems.
For now, the technology stays in research and evaluation phases. Apple appears focused on more immediate camera upgrades like variable apertures and larger sensors for upcoming iPhone generations. The company typically introduces major camera innovations gradually across multiple product cycles rather than through revolutionary single-year changes.
