Most smartphones in their default state can't perform thermal imaging. Their built - in cameras are designed to capture visible light, relying on sensors that detect red, green, and blue wavelengths, and they usually block infrared (IR) light, which is essential for thermal imaging.

However, there are ways to enable thermal imaging on your phone. One option is to use an external accessory known as a usb thermal imager. These compact devices can connect to your phone via a USB port (many modern phones support USB - C). Once connected, a thermal imaging usb device can detect infrared radiation emitted by objects, converting heat signatures into visual images. With a dedicated app, you can view these thermal images on your phone's screen, measure temperatures, and even capture thermal photos and videos.

Some phones might also support other usb thermal camera models that are designed to be plugged directly into the phone's USB interface. These cameras vary in terms of resolution and sensitivity, but they all work on the principle of detecting infrared energy to create thermal maps.

In a few rare cases, certain smartphones come with built - in thermal imaging capabilities right out of the box. But these are exceptions rather than the norm. So, while your phone likely doesn't have thermal imaging functionality by default, with the help of a usb thermal camera or usb thermal imager, you can add this useful feature.