Photoluminescence (PL) sensors based on quantum dots (QDs) are difficult to achieve exact detection in sample waters. In this paper, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based CdTe/ZnS/CdS QDs and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) fluorophores were used to build a ratiometric PL sensor. Combining with the homemade smartphone-based PL E-eye, the Cd 2+ exact detection can be achieved. PVA was used to connect QDs and FITC fluorophores without unnecessary ligand exchange and purification. For QDs fluorophore, ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid (EDTA) was used on the surface to induce the specifically Cd 2+ recognition site. For FITC fluorophore, the PL remains unchanged in this experiment. Thus, the ratio of two fluorophores can be used to provide a built-in correction. The PL changes with the increase of Cd 2+ concentrations could be displayed as a visual color change on the smartphone. Further quantitative analysis could be carried out by the RGB value of the picture through the App in less than 1 min The ratio of R/G is linear to Cd 2+ concentration in the range of 1–2000 μg l− 1 with a low LOD of 0.057 μg l− 1 (S/N). Compared with traditional analysis methods, the PL ratiometric method with PL E-eye is portable, rapid, visible and highly selective especially in discriminate Cd 2+ from Zn 2+.