Apple Could Add Multispectral Imaging to Future iPhone Cameras

Apple has often taken a cautious path with camera hardware, while rivals, especially Chinese brands, move faster. That gap may soon narrow. A new report suggests Apple is exploring multispectral imaging for future iPhone models, a shift that could reshape mobile photography on the device.

According to the source, Apple has shown interest in multispectral sensors and contacted potential suppliers. However, testing has not started yet. Still, the outreach alone signals that Apple is actively studying the technology and its benefits.

Multispectral imaging captures light across multiple wavelength bands, including some invisible to the human eye. In contrast, standard RGB sensors only record red, green, and blue light. As a result, multispectral sensors can gather richer scene data and offer deeper insight into objects and surfaces.

If adopted, the technology could improve material separation and depth sensing on future iPhones. This may lead to more accurate portrait shots. It could also boost image processing, enhance low-light photos, and strengthen visual intelligence features.

The source did not name specific models for the upgrade. However, the tipster repeated earlier claims about the iPhone 18 Pro. The device is expected to include a variable-aperture 48MP main camera and a larger 48MP periscope telephoto sensor. He also said Apple is testing a 200MP Samsung sensor for a future iPhone.