The study aimed to test a cost-effective portable optical prototype designed to monitor the ripening and senescence of medium-sized fruits. The device is a pre-prototype and is simplified compared to full-range commercial instruments since it works with 18 wavelengths in the visible-Near-Infrared range (410 nm to 940 nm). The prototype was tested on Fuji apples (Malus domestica ‘Fuji’), Passacrassana pears (Pyrus communis ‘Passe Crassane’), Dottato figs (Ficus carica L.), and kiwis (Actinidia deliciosa) to analyze their ripening process from early stages to the rot moment. The challenge was to assess the applicability of the prototype on fruits with different exocarp characteristics such as thickness, color, and texture. A commercial device was used as a reference. Optical data were collected on various sampling days to evaluate changes in the optical features. The ultimate goal will be to correlate optical data with destructive analyses regarding parameters such as Total Soluble Solids (TSS), acidity, and pH to create predictive models capable of predicting these parameters, as well as providing more precise information on the ripening and senescence of these products. The preliminary qualitative results are promising, indicating potential for real-time monitoring of interesting features of the fruits studied. While vis/NIR spectroscopy is already widely applied in these contexts due to its numerous advantages, the innovation here lies in advancing the prototype to manage batches, classify products, and potentially educate consumers. Implementing these type of devices could improve and simplify the management of harvesting and storage phases, optimizing the quality of agricultural products. The upgrade of this prototype could offer significant benefits for batch management and product classification, enhancing both production efficiency and consumer education.