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16 of 16 Items
How to Choose the Best Underwater Smartphone Housing
"Gone are the days when underwater photography was inaccessible to those not willing to invest thousands into an expensive underwater photo set up. Anyone with a cell phone can take great underwater photos!" — Nirupam Nigam, President of Bluewater Photo
At Bluewater Photo, we don't just sell gear—we dive with it. The best underwater camera isn't always a massive rig; often, it’s the phone already in your pocket. Whether you need the best underwater camera for snorkeling or a rugged system for deep diving, choosing the right underwater smartphone housing depends entirely on your target depth, required functionality, and how much peace of mind you need before hitting the water.
Core Mechanics of Smartphone Housings: Universal vs. Touchscreen Access
Most underwater housings on the market require you to choose between two main design philosophies:
- Bluetooth & App-Controlled Housings: Popular options like the SeaLife SportDiver and Kraken smart phone housings rely on a Bluetooth connection. Your phone sits inside an internal tray, and you control a dedicated proprietary app using physical buttons on the exterior of the housing.
- Full Touchscreen Access: If you prefer using your phone's native camera application or want to navigate other apps while on a dive, the DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max utilizes a unique, gel-filled 5mm touchscreen membrane. This allows you to tap, swipe, and unlock your screen underwater just like you do on the surface.
Guarding Your Device: Vacuum Systems vs. Gaskets
When taking your everyday phone down to scuba depths, safety is paramount. Your choice of underwater photography equipment should match your comfort level with risk.
- Integrated Vacuum Seals: If you want absolute confidence that your kit is watertight, look for a housing with a built-in vacuum system. Housings like the sportdiver underwater smartphone housing and the Kraken KRH08 pull a vacuum inside the chamber, allowing you to verify a secure seal before ever submerging.
- Multi-Layer Gaskets: The divevolk seatouch 4 max operates without a built-in vacuum system. Instead, it relies on a mechanical three-layered gasket membrane and a tightly screwed door. While our in-field testing proved it survives rough surf and strong currents without a drop of leakage, it lacks the pre-dive electronic confirmation found on electronic alternatives.
Expert Field Note: While testing the DiveVolk system off Catalina Island, the touch functions worked seamlessly underwater. However, keep in mind two critical caveats: you must remove your screen protector before diving to maintain touch sensitivity through the membrane, and the gel touch functionality will not work if you are wearing thick dive gloves.
Our comprehensive SeaLife SportDiver review (which can also be applied to the Sportdiver Ultra) highlights its lightweight ergonomics, making it arguably the best camera for scuba diving beginners who want a reliable, streamlined setup. Conversely, if you prefer indestructible build quality, Kraken’s anodized aluminum bodies offer heavy-duty protection for demanding environments.
These underwater smartphone housings are great options for taking underwater photos and videos for an affordable price point. Unlike with underwater cameras, you can start posting your photos and videos to social media as soon as you get out of the water! If you'd like better detail and color with your smartphone, consider underwater lighting options from Bluewater Photo. Contact us and we'll put an underwater package together for your smartphone.
Read more on our Indepth Reviews done by Our in-house Experts
The new Dive Volk SeaTouch 4 Max Underwater Smartphone Housing has become immensely popular with divers and snorkelers. This housing features an easy to use interface and full access to your phone's touchscreen unlike other popular bluetooth smartphone housing brands such as the Kraken KRH08 Smartphone Housing, Oceanic+ Dive Housing and the SeaLife Sportdiver. The Dive Volk SeaTouch 4 Max is [...]
Introducing the SportDiver SmartPhone Housing: Now Compatible with Both Android and iPhone! New underwater compact cameras are hard to come by these days. With supply chain issues and a lack of demand, camera companies just aren't investing their time in the entry-level market. But who needs a compact camera when your smart phone is just as good? [...]
Kraken Universal Smart Phone Housing ProWith the release of the iPhone 13 Pro & Samsung S21 Ultra 5G and two new Universal Smart Phone Housings from Kraken, there hasn't been a better time to take those underwater smart phone pics that you've always dreamed of! Gone are the days when underwater photography was inaccessible to [...]
Expanding Your Rig: Lenses and Video Lights
To get true-to-life colors and sharp details, a housing alone isn't always enough. Water absorbs red and orange light rapidly as you descend. To bypass the limits of mobile sensors, you can adapt your underwater camera housing into a professional platform. Adding a dedicated lens adapter lets you mount wet macro lenses for tiny marine life or wide-angle conversion lenses to capture expansive reefscapes. To truly bring back the colors lost at depth, pair your housing with our best underwater video lights from our inventory to cut through the shadows and eliminate the washed-out blue hue of deep water.
Learn, Shoot, and Explore with Bluewater Photo
We are dedicated to helping you master your gear. Beyond providing top-tier hardware, we run hands-on underwater photography workshops led by industry experts. We take you to the world’s most pristine destinations to practice composition, lighting, and housing maintenance in real-world environments. Browse our curated packages above, or contact our expert team to custom-build a smartphone imaging kit tailored to your next adventure.
Why Trust Bluewater Photo?
Bluewater Photo, recognized as the #1 online retailer specializing in underwater photography and scuba diving equipment, with real-world experience supporting, selling, and configuring underwater camera systems. Our team includes professional underwater photographers and videographers with over 15 years of experience testing and photographing underwater to ensure you get thorough first hand experience and trusted reviews.
Expertise in Underwater Photography: Run by passionate divers and photographers who truly understand the gear and how it performs in real-world conditions.
Competitive Pricing: Offers competitive prices with added value like expert advice and top-tier customer support. We will match and beat any price!
Established Reputation: Trusted by thousands of divers, photographers, and professionals worldwide.
Exceptional Customer Support: Personalized service from knowledgeable staff who care about getting you the right gear.
Transparent and Honest Advice: Recommendations are based on what’s best for your needs—not just what’s in stock.