Underwater Smartphone Housing Guide
If you're looking for an underwater smartphone housing, this guide will help you decide which one is the best for you. A range of smartphone housings are available at Bluewater Photo that all have different features and accessories and are compatible with different phones. In this guide, we will talk about underwater smartphone housings from brands such as SeaLife, Kraken, AquaTech, and Nautismart to give you as much information as you need to make an informed choice. Bluewater Photo stocks all of the models listed, and our experts are always on-hand to answer any questions you have. So, if you want to know more, don't hesitate to reach out to us via email at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com or call 310-633-5052.
Why Buy an Underwater Smartphone Housing?
One of the most common questions we get asked at Bluewater is "what is the best underwater camera?". And, if we're being honest, there is no simple answer; it ultimately depends on what type of underwater photographer or video shooter you are, the location(s) of your adventures, and your budget. It's no secret that underwater photography can be an expensive hobby. This is because traditional mirrorless or DSLR underwater camera systems require a lot of equipment to successfully take photos - in addition to a camera you need an underwater housing, underwater strobes, wet lenses, arms & clamps, etc. So for those who are looking to test the waters and get their first underwater system, it can be a more reasonable option to look at underwater smartphone housings. After all, almost everyone already owns a smartphone. All you need is a smartphone housing and an underwater video light if you want to add some color to your photos & videos. Smartphone cameras themselves are pretty incredible these days - they have special computational photography algorithms built into their systems by some of the top names in tech including Samsung, Apple, and Google. They can take extremely high-quality photos and videos, and with a little extra investment in an underwater housing, you've got a system capable of capturing your next underwater adventure in stunning detail.
Looking for the right smartphone for your underwater photography? This guide will help you find a good phone.
Kraken KRH08 Underwater Smartphone Housing
*Aluminum Housing, Built-In Vacuum, Compatible with IOS & Android Phones*
The Kraken Sports KRH08 Universal Smartphone Housing is one of our most popular underwater smartphone housings. It is an upgrade from the KRH08 and features a larger lens port that can accommodate newer models of mobile phones with multi lens cameras. It's also compatible with larger phones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max, all Samsung Galaxy modes, and all Google Pixel phones including Pixel 7. The housing fits all phones up to 158mm x 83mm x 9mm - so check out this link to find your phone's dimensions.
The Kraken Sports Universal Smartphone Housing connects to your phone via a bluetooth connection. This allows for you to have smooth control of the phone with buttons that don't have a physical interface with the screen. In order to use the housing, you must download a free app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app unlocks a number of features on your phone and the new Kraken App that we are beta testing even allows for RAW shootings, selfie shooting, and flash photos with your smartphone's flash.
The Kraken KRH08 is compatible with popular wide angle and macro let lenses including the Kraken KRL-07 wide angle lens and Bluewater +7 macro lens. You will need a threaded adapter in order to use wet lenses on the housing. These lenses allow you to expand what is possible in your underwater photos. A wet wide angle lens gives you the ability to get close to large subjects while still fitting the whole subject in your frame. This means you'll get more color and details in your photos that would normally be lost by water filtering out colors. Macro lenses allow you to get close to small subjects and magnify them so that lots of details show up in your photographs.
The housing is rated to 80m (236 ft) depth and is built with a solid aluminum that can withstand the toughest aquatic conditions. There is a built-in moisture alarm and vacuum system so that you can always be certain that your phone is safe inside, even underwater.
PRO Version:
If all these features aren't quite enough for you, the Kraken KRH07 universal smartphone housing includes a depth and temperature sensor.
Compatibility:
Compatible with most iPhone & Android phones with the dimension of 165mm x 85mm x 9.5mm or smaller
See our review of the Kraken Sports Smartphone Housing
Packages Available:
Recommended Wet Lenses for the Kraken Smartphone Housing:
DiveVolk SeaTouch Underwater Smartphone Housing
SeaLife SportDiver Underwater Smartphone Housing
*Compatible with Most IOS & Android Phones*
The SeaLife SportDiver Smart Phone Housing is perhaps the most intuitive underwater smartphone housings on the market. The SportDiver is compatible with most Android models and all iPhones 7 & up. You can check compatibility here. With a history of developing underwater cameras for new underwater shooters, SeaLife clearly thought about the engineering of this housing and app from the perspective of a beginner. That's not to say the housing isn't packed with functionality - it is! In fact, with the SportDiver housing, you can shoot RAW photos, 4K video (if your smartphone can handle it), adjust exposure, and it even comes with a red filter for color correction.
As with other smartphone housings, the SportDiver controls your smartphone via a bluetooth connection. The buttons do not have physical interface with the screen, which makes it really smooth to navigate through your phone. The housing also has a very larger shutter lever, so taking a photo is simple and easy to do. In order to control your smartphone you must download the SeaLife SportDiver app on the Apple app store or the Google Play store. This app is one of our favorite smartphone housing apps as it is very easy to navigate.
The SportDiver's built in color correction filter works quite well if you want to take photos and videos without any underwater lighting. However, for the most optimal underwater colors with the SeaLife SportDiver, we recommend the SeaLife SportDiver Pro 2500 Set. This comes with a 2500 lumen video light that can add colors back that are lost due to water filtering out light.
The SeaLife SportDiver is a perfect tool for recreational divers as it is depth rated to 130 ft/40m. It is built with a mix of polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminum, and optical glass material, making it extremely durable in any underwater environment. There is absolutely no need to worry about the safety of the housing. The SportDiver is equipped with an intuitive vacuum system and audible moisture alarm that will tell you if water gets in the housing. The vacuum system is designed to tell you if there are any issues with the housing sealing before you get in the water.
Compatibility:
Compatible with most iPhone & Android Phones. Click here to check if your smartphone is compatible with the Sealife Sport Diver,
See our full review of the SeaLife SportDiver SmartPhone Housing
Packages Available:
Oceanic+ Dive Housing
*Best for Surfing, Snorkeling, and Diving, Compatible with all Iphone SE and later*
Introducing the Oceanic+ app tailored for your Apple Watch Ultra & iPhone, transforming your everyday timepiece/smartphone into a complete dive companion for recreational diving, freediving, and snorkeling adventures. The Oceanic+ Dive housing seamlessly integrates all essential diving functionalities while offering an intuitive user experience.
The dynamic synergy between the Oceanic+ app and Dive Housing redefines how divers narrate their underwater escapades. Capture vividly color-corrected photos and videos effortlessly, all while closely monitoring vital dive metrics. With its automated color correction and advanced media editing capabilities, reliving your underwater memories takes on an entirely fresh perspective.
Immerse yourself in the immersive logbook feature, featuring an engaging carousel of images and videos captured during your dives, complete with depth and timestamp details. When it's time to share your experiences, overlay your dive profile onto your photos to craft a captivating narrative that will captivate your family and friends.
The Oceanic+ app extends its versatility by allowing divers to utilize both the Apple Watch Ultra and iPhone in conjunction with Oceanic+ Dive Housing under a single subscription. This unique offering empowers divers to independently operate both dive computers concurrently, enhancing their diving experience like never before.
Compatibility:
Compatible with the following iphones: iPhone SE (2nd Generation), iPhone SE (3rd Generation), iPhone X, iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
Underwater Smartphone Housing Options:
Packages Available:
AquaTech AxisGo Underwater Smartphone Housings
*Best for Surfing, Snorkeling, and Shallow Diving, Compatible with iPhone 11 to 13*
AquaTech AxisGo Housings are the perfect tools for iPhone surfers and snorkelers. These housings are depth rated to 10m (33ft). Though they can't go as deep as their dive housing cousins, they are more affordable, simpler, and lighter. That isn't to say they aren't packed with features - they are! The AxisGo housing features a macro mode, cinematic mode, and RAW photo capture.
Unique among smartphone housings, the AxisGo does not need a 3rd party app - it supports all the latest features of the corresponding iPhone model.
If you want to get more creative - the AxisGo has an optional dome port accessory that allows you to take great over-under photos. The AxisGo also has an optional pistol grip for taking photos on the go without needing to handle the housing - this is a great option for surf photographers! Check out all AxisGo accessories here.
Compatibility:
Compatible with all iPhone 11, 12 and 13 variants.
Underwater Smartphone Housing Options:
Packages Available:
Pro Shot iPhone Dive Case
*Lightweight Polycarbonate Housing, Protection Guarantee, Compatible with iPhone 6 to 14*
The ProShot iPhone Dive Case is an awesome hard shell underwater housing for your iPhone which can be go up to 130ft/40m. The housing is compatible with all variants of iPhones from 6 to 14, including 14 Pro Max, 14 Pro and 14 Plus. It utilizes its proprietary app which allows you full camera functionality underwater. In addition, when you purchase the housing it comes with the ProShot's iPhone protection guarantee!
The housing comes with a floating hand grip & screw, wrist strap, foam adjustment for your phone, and camera app.
Nautismart Underwater Smartphone Housing
*Polycarbonate Housing, Simple Operation, Compatible with most Android, Huawei, & iPhone Smartphones*
The Nautismart Smartphone Housing supports most Android, iPhones, and Huawei smartphones on the market. As long as your phone is under 16.7cm x 8.4 cm, you are good to go! You can check your phone dimensions here. The Nautismart housing stands out from the crowd by being affordable, simple, and easy to use. It is built from a polycarbonate material and features a 67mm port threading, which means it is compatible with most wet lenses available on the market. One great feature of the housing is its depth rating of 200ft (60m). It also has a transparent back, which means it is capable of underwater selfies!
In the Nautismart housing, your phone is controlled via a Nautismart app for Android, iPhone, and Huawei. If you are a Huawei user, this smartphone is the best option for you.
Compatibility:
Compatible with most Andriod, iPhones, and Huawei phones as long as dimensions should not exceed 16.7cm X 8.4 cm
See our full review of the Nautismart SmartPhone Housing
Are These Underwater Smartphone Housings Right For You?
Need help? Give us a call (+1 310-633-5052) / email us to schedule a skype session to find the right housing for you.