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iPhone Thermal Camera (self.iphone)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by manualoverride to c/iphone

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I’m still on the iPhone X, and the latest models just don’t have any features I’m excited about. I was thinking about what would make a difference to me and I think a really cool feature that would make me upgrade is thermal imaging.

Thermal cameras are expensive and the resolution and frame rate is generally rubbish because they are a niche item, but they are so useful. I’ve used them for everything from fixing heating systems, cars, and electronics to simply checking if my dog is still in the garden in the dark, or working out where ‘that draft’ is coming from.

Thermal imaging needs to be brought into the mainstream for price reduction and development, that integration to the next generation iPhone can deliver.

Am I just a weirdo, or would you like a thermal camera on the iPhone?

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

These exist as after market accessories but are usually $200+ USD. While useful for many people, myself included, it’s still not something Apple would think most users would laud over and be willing to pay an extra $200+ for in a general price hike. That plus the fact after market options exist is enough to not warrant them being made on the iPhones for consumers.

I don’t think even Android manufacturers would do this unless the price comes way down or it’s a device designed for industrial use, such as CAT, who has developed mobile devices for construction purposes in the past.

[–] manualoverride 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I’ve had an add-on camera which annoyingly would need an additional adapter if I upgraded from Lightening to USB-C. A $200 device would be maybe $10 when integrated into a phone for the additional IR sensor and possibly a new lens (they already have three, why not one more). At the scale Apple would purchase the sensors it may even be lower. In the 90s Sony added it to one of their video cameras but it was short lived as their image integration accidentally allowed you to see through clothes a bit too well. If they started with a standard low res like 160x120, they could improve gradually over time if the feature was used.

[–] stevestevesteve 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The bom cost of the sensors is likely still well over $10 - the addon dongles are effectively just a sensor,shell, and USB connector and they're still fairly pricey.

The Sony video cameras you reference did not have thermal imaging, they had the ability to show (near) IR images. Thermal IR uses way different technology.

[–] manualoverride 0 points 2 months ago

It’s still just an IR sensor if you look at the “FLIR Lepton 2.5” I can buy it on Mouser for $100, and that’s a top end brand at retail price.

Apple will be able to buy that sensor at a fraction of the cost if they decided to put it in 100million phones.

In all probability they would licence the tech and have Foxconn/Sony build the modules at scale along with their other cameras.

Not trying to be contrary, but when you make 100 million of something the price goes down really quickly.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

There are a lot of useful features that have been removed throughout the years. I kind of doubt that Apple will start making their phones more useful now. It's a good idea though. You can buy add on devices, but they are a bit pricey.

[–] manualoverride 1 points 2 months ago

True, but then they add stuff like blood oxygen monitoring to the Apple Watch! 😂

It’s an area in need of development, a 320x240 camera is ~$200 a 720p camera is $50,000. Imagine if we discovered people used them more than the 3D mapping that was added to the iPhone 13 cameras!

[–] SkyezOpen 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What you need to do is petition Samsung to add thermal cameras to their phones and wait 3 years.

[–] manualoverride 0 points 2 months ago

You do have a point there 🤣

[–] manualoverride 1 points 2 months ago

Looks like someone was listening…

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Blackview-BL9000-Pro-New-rugged-smartphone-with-thermal-imaging-camera-5G-and-very-fast-charging.831613.0.html