Can Smartphone Cameras See Infrared? Here’s What You Need To Know

By Author: Kishor Sarker
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Smartphone cameras have come a long way, offering incredible detail and clarity in capturing the world around us. But what about things we can’t see with the naked eye, like infrared light? Infrared (IR) is a type of light that exists just outside the visible spectrum, invisible to humans but used in various technologies, from TV remotes to night vision. This raises the question: can smartphone cameras detect infrared light? In this article, we’ll dive into what infrared light is, whether your smartphone can see it, and how this capability can be useful.

What Is Infrared Light?
Infrared light is a type of electromagnetic radiation, just beyond the red end of the visible light spectrum. It’s classified into three main categories:

Near-infrared (NIR): Closest to visible light, used in common technologies like remote controls and some cameras.
Mid-infrared (MIR): Used primarily for thermal imaging, detecting heat emitted from objects.
Far-infrared (FIR): The furthest from visible light, used in specialized applications like astronomy and deep-space observations.
The reason we can’t ...
... see infrared light is that it has a longer wavelength than visible light, which falls outside the range of our eyes’ receptors. However, certain devices, like cameras, can pick it up—depending on how they are designed.

How Smartphone Cameras Work
To understand whether smartphones can see infrared light, it’s important to know how their cameras work. Most smartphone cameras use either CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) or CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensors to capture light and convert it into digital images. These sensors can detect a broader range of wavelengths than the human eye, including infrared.

However, most smartphones come with a built-in infrared filter that blocks IR light. This is because infrared can interfere with the quality of regular photos, causing images to appear washed out or discolored. The filter ensures that only visible light reaches the sensor, producing crisp, natural-looking photos. Despite this, some infrared light, especially near-infrared, can still leak through the filter.

Can Smartphones Detect Infrared Light?
Yes, but with limitations. Most smartphones can detect near-infrared light, the type commonly emitted by devices like TV remotes. While smartphones are not designed to capture the entire infrared spectrum, they are capable of detecting small amounts of infrared light.

How to Test It Yourself
You can easily test whether your smartphone camera can detect near-infrared light with a simple experiment. Grab a TV remote control and point it at your smartphone’s camera. Press any button on the remote, and you should see a small flashing light on the screen that’s invisible to your naked eye. That flashing is the infrared signal being sent by the remote, which your phone can pick up.

Limitations
While smartphones can detect near-infrared light, they struggle to pick up mid- and far-infrared wavelengths, which are used in more specialized fields like thermal imaging. This is because the camera sensors aren’t designed to capture these wavelengths, and the built-in IR filters block most of them.

Practical Applications of Infrared Detection in Smartphones
The ability to detect infrared light, even on a basic level, can have practical uses for smartphone users.

TV Remotes and IR Blasters
Some older smartphone models came equipped with infrared blasters, allowing users to control televisions and other IR-based appliances directly from their phones. While this feature has mostly disappeared from newer models, it was a handy tool for turning your smartphone into a universal remote.

Security and Surveillance
Smartphone cameras can also help detect hidden cameras or other surveillance devices that emit infrared light. Since many security cameras use infrared for night vision, you can use your phone to spot their infrared LEDs in dark environments. This can be particularly useful for detecting hidden surveillance devices in hotel rooms, Airbnb rentals, or changing rooms.

Augmented Reality (AR)
While still in its infancy, the use of infrared in augmented reality (AR) applications is becoming more common. Some smartphones are beginning to integrate IR sensors to improve depth perception and environmental mapping, which enhances AR experiences by making them more responsive and immersive.

Advanced Infrared Technology and Smartphones
If you’re interested in seeing more than just near-infrared light, there are attachments and external gadgets that can significantly boost your smartphone’s infrared capabilities.

Thermal Imaging Cameras
External accessories like FLIR (Forward-Looking Infrared) cameras can turn your smartphone into a powerful thermal imaging tool. These devices detect mid- and far-infrared light and are widely used in industries such as construction, firefighting, and healthcare. With a thermal imaging attachment, your phone can visualize heat signatures, track temperature changes, and even detect energy leaks in buildings.

Other Specialized Apps and Gadgets
There are also apps and smaller gadgets that use infrared technology to enhance smartphone capabilities, such as for checking remote controls, tracking fitness metrics, or aiding in night vision. These tools expand the practical applications of IR technology for everyday use.

The Future of Smartphone Infrared Capabilities
Infrared technology in smartphones is still evolving, and we’re likely to see more advancements in the near future. Newer phones might integrate more sophisticated IR sensors, allowing for better night photography, enhanced AR experiences, and even more seamless security applications.

Potential Advancements
Healthcare: Imagine a smartphone camera that can detect temperature changes on the skin, making it useful for remote health diagnostics.
Automotive: Cars could be equipped with infrared sensors linked to smartphone apps for better visibility in low-light conditions.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR): Enhanced depth sensing using infrared can create more interactive and immersive AR/VR applications.
The possibilities are endless, and as smartphone technology continues to advance, so will its ability to detect and utilize infrared light.

Conclusion
While the average smartphone can detect some infrared light, its capabilities are limited to near-infrared wavelengths. However, with the help of external attachments and accessories, you can unlock the power of thermal imaging and other advanced IR technologies. As technology progresses, we may see more sophisticated infrared sensors integrated directly into smartphones, unlocking new possibilities in security, healthcare, and augmented reality.

So, grab your TV remote, point it at your camera, and witness firsthand how your smartphone can see the invisible world of infrared light!