The recent advances in cells detection technology are summarized. The latest progresses of traditional detection techniques are introduced,including image recognition and fluorescence microscopy. Then the developments of phase microscopy based on digital holography are introduced. In particular,the principles,technical characteristics and productions about Fourier phase microscopy (FPM) and Hilbert phase microscopy (HPM) are recommended. Finally,it is forecasted that the cell-phase pattern recognition based on the digital holography is the future development trends of cells detection technology.