Best Smartphone & iPhone Underwater Housings of 2025
CAN A SMARTPHONE REPLACE AN UNDERWATER CAMERA?Thinking of Taking Your Smartphone Underwater? Using a smartphone is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get started in underwater image-making. At Backscatter, we set out to answer two key questions: Which smartphone housings perform the best, and can a phone truly replace a dedicated underwater camera?Watch our video and read on for our answers and to discover our favorite underwater smartphone housings. WATCH OUR IN-DEPTH VIDEOSmartphones provide an inexpensive, simple, travel-friendly entry point for divers looking to get into underwater photography. Check out our video review as we breakdown each of our favorite smartphone housings REAL WORLD TESTINGPutting The Housings To The Test Each housing in this review was thoroughly tested through days of actual underwater use. We evaluated every aspect—from phone compatibility, installation and setup, ergonomics, app performance, and available accessories to determine how each housing actually performs in the field. See our findings and how we ranked the top underwater smartphone housings below. This isn’t just a simple unboxing review; team Backscatter spent days diving each housing, testing everything we could to create an in-depth guide for aspiring smartphone shooters.It's the Housing, Not the Phone This review places its focus squarely on underwater smartphone housings rather than getting into the specs of specific phone models. The housing itself has the greatest impact on performance underwater, largely because of the companion app and available accessories. The app controls key features such as wide and telephoto lens choice, camera settings, and color correction—the more feature-rich the app, usually means better overall image quality. Accessories are equally important: color filters, wide-angle and macro lenses can dramatically improve color, sharpness, and clarity. But a housing’s role isn't just about capturing great images—it’s about ensuring the phone survives the dive. To that end, housings vary greatly in their protective features. Some of the models we tested include vacuum systems for pre-dive leak checks or integrated moisture alarms, providing the confidence needed to protect the device that holds your essential banking and personal data. Despite the differences between various phone models, it's really the housing that is the true determining factor of performance underwater. This is because of the apps, accessories, and amount of control each housing allows.IN-DEPTH HOUSING REVIEWS We evaluated each housing across five criteria: phone compatibility, ergonomics, setup, app performance, and accessories. Every category was graded on a 0–5 ★ star scale. Click a housing to see the complete review and how it stacks up against the others. OVERALL TOP PICK SeaLife SportDiver Ultra 19.5/25 Stars ★USE NATIVE TOUCH SCREEN, POOR QUALITY ACCESSORIES DiveVOLK Seatouch 16/25 Stars ★EASIEST FOR BEGINNERS, NO AVAILABLE ACCESSORIES Oceanic+ 15.5/25 Stars ★RUGGED BUILD, LEAST INTUITIVE SETUP Kraken KRH07 13/25 Stars ★SEALIFE SPORTDIVER ULTRA 19.5/25 Stars ★VERSATILE, RELIABLE, EASY The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra is our overall top pick, offering the best balance of ease of use, features, and accessory support. Its companion app is straightforward to learn yet powerful enough to deliver consistently strong results. The accessory ecosystem is among the best in this group, with a particularly well-designed lens mount that is easily adjusted underwater. While the app occasionally lagged during testing and filters and lenses cannot be stacked, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall package. With its user-friendly design, ergonomic build, and reliable performance, the SeaLife SportDiver Ultra is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced divers seeking a capable, adaptable housing. The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra has a great blend of ease of use, advanced features, a simple-to-understand app, and accessories that make it our overall top pick.WIDE RANGE OF COMPATIBILITY★★★★★ for Phone Compatibility The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra works with most smartphones, including larger models, and supports both iPhone and Android. This makes it one of the most universal options available. The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra can use either Android or Apple phones, making it an extremely universal choice. ERGONOMIC GRIP & CONTROLS★★★½☆ for Ergonomics This housing is comfortable and well thought out. A large grip and thumb rest give it a secure feel, while the extended shutter release and clearly labeled, easy-to-reach buttons make one-handed shooting a breeze. SECURE & EASY SETUP ★★★★☆ for Installation & Setup Setup is straightforward. A spring-style brace with a rubber pad locks the phone in place, while three sizes of rubber grips secure phones big and small for a snug fit. The housing runs on two AAA batteries that power the housing and Bluetooth controls, with runtime depending on battery type (about 50 hours on alkalines). We used the rechargeable Eneloop AAA Batteries, which had relatively short runtimes, but this was easy to manage by swapping the housing batteries at the same time we changed our video light batteries, typically after the second dive of the day. SeaLife includes everything needed to mount the phone inside the housing in the box, including three different sizes of rubber grips that are easily installed and swapped out for a perfect fit. Powering on is simple: press the internal power button, pair the phone through the app, and the app will guide you through setup. The SeaLife uses a vacuum system that monitors internal pressure to detect leaks before they happen. If used properly, a vacuum system makes leaks virtually impossible. Pulling a vacuum is easy thanks to the top-mounted valve, and vacuum status is clearly displayed in the app. The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra also includes a leak alarm system for added peace of mind. SeaLife’s vacuum system makes checking for leaks simple. The valve is mounted on the top of the housing, while the phone’s screen displays the vacuum level with an easy-to-read interface. This, combined with the leak detector, makes the SeaLife particularly solid when it comes to protection against water intrusion.VERSATILE BUT SOMETIMES LAGGY APP★★★★☆ for App Experience The SeaLife app is beginner-friendly yet powerful. It includes lens modes, zoom, exposure, video resolution, frame rates, and underwater white balance modes. The white balance system worked especially well when paired with the included SportDiver Bluewater Filter. We did encounter two drawbacks: The app could be laggy at times, with a slight delay between button presses and response. The mode menu can only be cycled through in one direction. If you skip past the mode you want, you have to scroll through the entire menu again, which is a hassle when trying to capture fleeting moments. Overall, the app is capable and easy to learn, despite these quirks. GOOD ACCESSORIES, GREAT LENS HOLDER★★★☆☆ for Accessories SeaLife offers an impressive range of accessories. The included SportDiver Bluewater Filter worked well with underwater white balance modes, though the filter cannot be mounted with a lens, unlike the DiveVOLK SeaTouch. Additional filters include a SportDiver Greenwater Filter and a SportDiver Yellow Filter for fluorescence shooting. The optional SportDiver 6-inch Dome Port snaps to the front of the housing, working as a wide-angle lens for scuba or snorkeling, and allowing for easy split shots. Unlike some housings, the dome doesn’t need to be aligned with a specific phone lens, keeping the operation simple. The SportDiver 6-inch Dome Port was also one of the overall sharpest lens accessories we tested. The SportDiver 6-inch Dome Port was the sharpest lens we tested, however, it still encountered softness in the corners. For other lens options, SeaLife’s SportDiver Threaded Adapter was our favorite of the entire review. The holder attaches securely to the port and allows underwater alignment adjustments using thumbscrews, which is a huge advantage. The SportDiver 52mm Wide Lens widened the field of view and allowed closer focusing, though the corners stayed soft. Softness at the edges was a recurring issue with all wide lenses tested on smartphone housings, some more pronounced than others—a topic explored further in the conclusion. Among the options, this was one of the sharper lenses, yet its image quality still fell well short of what a compact camera paired with a dedicated wide-angle lens can deliver. SeaLife doesn’t offer a macro lens, but we successfully used the Backscatter +15 MACROMATE MINI, which gave sharp close-ups with excellent working distance and depth of field. The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra has a suite of compatible accessories and includes a SportDiver Bluewater Filter right out of the box. SeaLife’s lens holder system was also our favorite, since it can be easily adjusted, even in-water if needed. ProsSimple, yet powerful appGood phone installation systemEasy to use and understand vacuum systemAmazing lens holder, can be adjusted underwater ConsApp can be laggy at timesMode menu can only be cycled in one directionCan’t stack included filter with lensesDespite high-quality optics, wide angle corners are still soft Sealife SportDiver Ultra Smart Phone HousingORDER NOWSeaLife iPhone SportDiver S Smartphone HousingORDER NOW Sealife M52 & M67 Threaded Lens AdapterORDER NOW Sealife 52mm Wide Angle Dome Lens for SportDiver HousingORDER NOW Sealife 6-inch Wide Angle Dome LensORDER NOW Sealife SportDiver Bluewater FilterORDER NOW Sealife SportDiver Greenwater FilterORDER NOWSealife SportDiver Yellow Barrier FilterORDER NOWBACK TO TOPDIVEVOLK SEATOUCH16/25 Stars ★FULLY TOUCH SCREEN COMPATIBLE The DiveVOLK SeaTouch stands out as one of the most versatile smartphone housings available. Its fully touch-screen compatible design uses a flexible gel membrane instead of Bluetooth controls, allowing direct access to the phone’s native camera or advanced apps such as the Blackmagic Cinema app. This opens up far more creative control and flexibility than other housings. Paired with the ability to combine a wide angle lens and the effective DiveVolk M67 Red Filter, it produced some of our favorite clips shot with a smartphone. That said, the system isn’t without flaws. The lens mount can be finicky in use, and the included macro lens leaves something to be desired. Still, for divers who want maximum customization and creative freedom in a compact rig, the DiveVOLK SeaTouch is an outstanding choice. The DiveVOLK SeaTouch is the only housing in this review that provides access to the touchscreen. This is a game-changing feature, giving the ability to use pro photo & video apps like the Black Magic Cinema app. COMPATIBLE WITH MOST PHONES - BUT THERE’S A CATCH★★★☆☆ for Phone Compatibility The DiveVOLK SeaTouch works with most smartphones, but requires a specific tray for each model and is purchased alongside the housing. While not as universal straight out of the box as some of the other housings in this review, it still covers a wide range of phones. We have also experienced variable quality with DiveVOLK smartphone trays. The trays we received for iPhones were top-notch quality, made with durable plastic and fit the phone and inside the housing like a glove. Android trays on the other hand, were 3D printed and much lower quality, with some customers reporting them breaking or having fitting issues. EFFECTIVE TOUCH SCREEN ACCESS BUT LEAST COMFORTABLE ERGONOMICS★★★☆☆ for Build Quality, Ergonomics & Controls During our testing, we found the gel membrane to work reliably with taps, but swipes could take a few tries. Overall, this was a minor inconvenience compared to the unlimited app access gained by the touchscreen. The gel membrane could be difficult to see through on land, but underwater, it was clear and easy to see. In terms of housing build quality, the housing feels less solid and ergonomic compared to other housings in this review, however, it encountered no issues during our tests. The gel membrane itself does feel delicate, and we do advise taking extra care of the gel screen to protect it from scratches or hard surfaces when diving or traveling with the housing. The DiveVOLK’s gel membrane performed reliably during our tests, with taps working flawlessly, while some gestures and swipes took a few tries to nail. SUPER SIMPLE INSTALLATION & SETUP★★★☆☆ for Installation & Setup Loading the phone is simple: place it on the tray, slide it into the housing, then close and lock the housing door. To seal the housing, the DiveVOLK relies on a large gasket, but has no leak detection features, such as an electronic leak alarm or vacuum system. This means there is no way to check for leaks before jumping in the water. The gasket seal worked in our tests and we encountered no leaks, but be sure to carefully inspect it for hair and debris before jumping in. Critically, before the phone is installed in the housing, DiveVOLK advises that all screen protectors are removed. If the screen protector is in place, the phone can become trapped inside the housing. This problem has been reported by customers, with some needing to break the housing in order to free their phone. The DiveVOLK SeaTouch housing itself is near-universal; however, each phone model requires a dedicated tray to fit inside the housing. Be sure to specify the specific smartphone intended for use with the DiveVOLK when ordering, as each tray is individualized. USE ANY APP YOU WANT★★★★★ for App Experience The app experience of the DiveVOLK is entirely up to the user; anything from the native camera app to pro-level camera apps will work. This flexibility even allows basic phone functions like calls and texts on the surface (provided there is a signal). We used both our iPhone 13 Pro Max’s native camera app and the Black Magic video app. Though the phone’s native camera app had novel features like panoramas, our overall favorite option was the Blackmagic video app. This app unlocked advanced features, manual controls, focus peaking, and reliable lens selection, allowing us to capture video with the most control. The app flexibility has also made DiveVOLK SeaTouch popular with tech divers, who will leave the housing clipped to a downline during long deco stops to watch downloaded movies, shows, or play games while waiting to clear. MANY ACCESSORIES, LIMITED QUALITY ★★☆☆☆ for Accessories DiveVOLK has a wide array of accessories that cover basically everything you would need for your smartphone housing, but we found the optics of both the wide angle and macro lens to be of poor quality, resulting in soft-looking images. For snorkeling, DiveVOLK SeaTouch has a simple wide-angle lens that snaps to the outside of the housing. This dome can be used to widen the field of view and sharpen the image, and shoot split shots (over-unders). Keep in mind it cannot be used for scuba diving due to the shallow depth rating (10ft/3m). The DiveVOLK SeaTouch can use a wide variety of accessories, most of which, including the DiveVolk M67 Wide Lens and the superb DiveVolk M67 Red Filter, require the DiveVolk Expansion Clamp in order to attach to the housing. The DiveVolk Expansion Clamp is also required for attaching the Seatouch to a tray, as the DiveVOLK itself has no threaded holes built in, unlike all other housings in this review. Mounting additional accessories or attaching the housing to a tray requires the DiveVolk Expansion Clamp, which provides 67mm threads for lenses and filters. While useful, this clamp is somewhat finicky and did loosen mid-dive multiple times during our testing when not carefully secured. In our testing, the DiveVolk M67 Wide Lens expanded the field of view but was very soft, producing smudgy corners with overall poor image quality. The DiveVolk M67 Red Filter on the other hand, was our favorite filter, delivering the best color correction of any we tried. The two can also be stacked, giving both a wider field of view and improved color in one setup, though the filter is held back by the lower quality of the wide lens. The +8 close-up lens also has poor optics, showing fringing, with an extremely thin depth of field, and a tight working distance, making it our least favorite macro option. The DiveVOLK +8 Macro lens was the lowest quality lens we tested, with smeary corners that almost looked like too much O-ring grease got on the lens. iPhone 13 Pro Max | DiveVOLK SeaTouch Housing | DiveVOLK +8 Close-Up LensProsTouch screen allows for any app to be usedBest performing red filter of the group The least expensive housing on this listConsFinicky tray and lens mounting system Least comfortable ergonomics Inconsistent quality for some phone installation traysBad image quality and super soft corners with wide and macro lens DiveVOLK SeaTouch 4 MAX Plus Underwater HousingORDER NOW DiveVolk Expansion Clamp with 67mm Lens AdapterORDER NOW DiveVolk Underwater Wide Angle Conversion LensORDER NOW DiveVolk M67 Bluewater Red FilterORDER NOWBACK TO TOPOCEANIC+15.5/25 Stars ★COMFORT, SIMPLICITY, & EASE OF USE The Oceanic iPhone is the top pick for beginners and casual shooters, offering a streamlined experience designed around comfort, simplicity, and ease of use. Loading the phone, pulling a vacuum, correcting color, and even sharing media are all straightforward processes. Nearly every function runs through the companion app, which also handles photo and video color correction. With a paid subscription, the app even doubles as a dive computer, making the Oceanic iPhone more versatile for recreational divers. That simplicity, however, also highlights its limitations. Without support for interchangeable lenses or filters, the housing’s creative potential is restricted compared to more advanced systems. The need for a subscription to unlock full functionality is also a drawback for a product that already comes at a premium. Still, for divers seeking a comfortable, user-friendly housing that makes it easy to get started with underwater shooting, the Oceanic iPhone is an excellent entry point. Oceanic provides an extremely simple, comfortable, and intuitive underwater smartphone experience that is great for beginners, but less ideal for advanced shooters due to the lack of accessories like wet lenses.iPHONE COMPATIBLE ONLY★★½☆☆ for Phone Compatibility The Oceanic iPhone works only with iPhones, making it more limited than other housings. It supports a wide range of models, including larger phones. Everything needed for installation comes in the box, including rubber mounting grips and a retrofit kit for larger iPhone Pro Max Models. The Oceanic iPhone housing is compatible with iPhones only, making it the least universal housing in this review. A JOY TO HANDLE★★★★☆ for Build Quality, Ergonomics, & Controls The Oceanic iPhone was the most comfortable housing we tested. It features a large, secure grip, big tactile buttons, and clearly labeled controls. Instead of a cluster of buttons, it uses a directional pad with an orange command button, keeping the operation straightforward. Navigating menus is simple, and overall, the Oceanic iPhone set the standard for ergonomics in this review. The Oceaninc+ was the most comfortable housing to use in this review. The large grip and directional buttons make handling this housing a joy. BEGINNER-FRIENDLY SETUP★★★★★ for Installation & Setup Installing an iPhone is simple: slide it into the brace and lock it in place with rubber grips located on the bottom of the housing. The Oceanic iPhone runs on an internal rechargeable battery (USB-C) that powers Bluetooth controls, a leak alarm, and the electronic vacuum system. The internal battery provides the housing with a long runtime, and we barely needed to charge the housing during our dives. The Oceanic iPhone pulls a vacuum automatically, and no hand pump is required. Setup is completely guided through the app which uses a video to walk the user through every step of the way. Oceanic’s app is extremely intuitive and walks the user through setup with a helpful video, making sure the phone, housing, and app are set up correctly for diving. SIMPLE BUT LIMITING APP ★★★☆☆ for App Experience Oceaninc is the most app based housing in this review. The app is super simple and easy to use, though it lacks some advanced camera control features of the others. It has photo, video, and a "Smart Mode" that captures both photo and videos simultaneously. The app accurately records depth and dive time, which is displayed on the screen. We found this info did get in the way when composing photos or videos. What's unique is its one-touch, AI-driven color correction. The color correction wasn't always perfect for every image and video but it is effective for instantly sharing content. Oceanic also offers a subscription for more advanced features, letting the housing function as a dive computer. Though this added functionality is cool, it is a hassle to continue to pay for a product that has already been purchased via subscription. The Oceanic iPhone app corrects photo and video color. Though convenient for quick sharing, the results were inconsistent, with deeper shot images and video producing poor color compared to shallower ones.NO LENSES OR FILTERS AVAILABLE☆☆☆☆☆ for Accessories Accessory options are where the Oceanic iPhone falls behind. It does not support filters or lenses, relying solely on the app for color correction and lens control. Wide-angle and macro lenses, which are key for higher-quality footage, cannot be used since there is no way to attach them to the housing. The housing can mount to a tray for stability and to attach lights. Mounting the Oceanic iPhone to a tray can be tricky, since the vacuum valve protrudes out of the bottom of the housing, making it difficult to fit on some trays. In our testing, we also noticed that using lights together with the in-app color correction produced inaccurate, unnatural, red and pink tinted color. The Oceanic iPhone is a good simple system, but it will struggle to capture wider and close-up shots, keeping its field of view restricted for fish portraits. ProsHighly ergonomic and user friendlyIn-app color correctionSuper easy setup process ConsCompatible with iPhones onlyNot compatible with accessories, such as lenses or filtersRequires a subscription for all features, such as dive computer mode Oceanic+ iPhone Dive HousingORDER NOWBACK TO TOPKRAKEN KRH0713/25 Stars ★ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION WITH POWER TO SPARE The Kraken KRH07 is the most durable housing in this review, built with a solid aluminum front and designed for divers who prioritize ruggedness above all else. Powered by a single 18650 lithium-ion battery, it not only runs the housing but also charges the phone inside, making it possible to shoot all day without removing the device. Kraken’s companion app is straightforward and responsive, all while the housing also supports a wide range of accessories for added flexibility. Additional features include a depth and temperature sensor, though the depth readings proved very unreliable in testing. Mounting the phone is also more involved compared to other housings, requiring extra assembly. The Kraken KRH07 is powered by an 18650 lithium-ion battery. Not only as a power source to operate the housing’s Bluetooth controls and vacuum indicator, this same battery can be used for charging with the included cables.FITS MOST PHONES OUT OF THE BOX★★★★★ for Phone Compatibility The Kraken KRH07 works with most smartphones, including both iPhone and Android models, making it one of the most universal housings available. It can accommodate a wide range of phone sizes right out of the box, with no need to order extra parts when switching between models. SOLID FEEL & ERGONOMICS, FLAWED DESIGN DETAILS★★☆☆☆ for Build Quality, Ergonomics, & Controls The Kraken KRH07 has a rugged aluminum front and feels durable and comfortable when held. The housing has a large grip and an extended shutter release button, making all controls easy to reach with just one hand. The buttons on the Kraken KRH07 are easy to access, clearly labeled, and simple to learn. The housing also has a built in depth and temperature sensor, however, we found that depth was completely inaccurate during our tests, with some readings being nearly 200 feet off. While the Kraken KRH07 felt comfortable in hand and its controls were solid and responsive, other build-quality factors held it back. The unintuitive phone mounting system and complicated vacuum setup detracted from the overall experience and ultimately lowered its ranking, issues we discuss further in the sections below. CHALLENGING PHONE MOUNTING ★☆☆☆☆ for Installation & Setup The Kraken KRH07 has the least intuitive phone installation system we tested. Instead of a simple mounting brace, the phone is held in place with an adhesive pad, which is not very secure. Though Kraken does provide a spare sticky pad with the housing, the pads will wear over time. To fit the phone into place, the housing includes foam blocks which need to be trimmed in order to secure phones. Not only does this require assembly, the foam blocks felt like they could easily become stuck in the housing door. First-time housing owners, or those looking for a simple phone housing system will find mounting a phone in the Kraken housing to be a hassle, and we have had this housing returned for this reason alone. Though nearly universal in phone models it supports, the Kraken KRH07 uses a less-than-intuitive mounting system, requiring an adhesive pad and user-installable foam blocks to keep the phone secure in the housing, which made mounting phones awkward. The housing is powered by a single 18650 lithium-ion battery, which can also charge the phone inside the housing. This is a handy feature, allowing the phone to be charged without removing it from the housing for long days of diving. While a vacuum system is a valuable feature on any housing, Kraken’s was the most difficult to use in this review. The vacuum valve is located on the front of the housing while the vacuum status LED indicators are on the back, making it awkward to monitor the light while pumping. Even worse, the vacuum status key is located inside the housing, completely hidden once a phone is installed. The indicators themselves are unnecessarily complicated. One light controls four different patterns for Bluetooth and phone charging, while the vacuum indicator LED has five different patterns for vacuum status and housing power. The sheer number of LED patterns makes them almost impossible to memorize without a key for reference. To make matters worse, red can mean multiple things: a solid red means low battery but holding vacuum, a single blinking red means vacuum is holding but housing charge is under 50%, and a double blinking red signals a leak. The overlap of the red light creates serious potential for confusion that could result in water entering the housing. By comparison, housings from Oceanic and SeaLife use extremely simple, intuitive indicators for vacuum status, highlighting how overcomplicated Kraken’s system is. Though sporting a helpful leak-detecting vacuum system, Kraken KRH07’s vacuum valve is mounted to the front of the housing, making monitoring vacuum status difficult as the vacuum indicator LEDs are located on the back of the housing.CLEAN, RESPONSIVE APP ★★★☆☆ for App Experience Kraken’s app includes everything needed to shoot photos and videos underwater. It starts with a written pre-dive checklist before moving to a clean, easy-to-use interface. Switching between photo and video is done with a single button press, and the controls were among the most responsive of any housing we tested with no lag between pressing a button and the action taking place. We did encounter some quirks when using the Kraken app. When switching between photo and video modes, our video resolution would change back to the default, resulting in some clips being shot in HD that were meant to be shot in 4K. Also, photos and videos taken with the app did not automatically save to our iPhone 13 Pro Max or 15 Pro’s photo folder, and instead had to be transferred over using the Kraken app, twenty videos at a time. This was time-consuming, and makes this app less friendly for instantly sharing photos and video. The Kraken KRH07 also features built-in temperature and depth readouts, which were inaccurate, so much so the housing’s depth was indicated at nearly 200 feet deeper than reality. Because of this, we would never rely on it for critical dive info and always refer to a dive computer. Kraken does offer the Kraken KRH08, which is the same housing, just without the depth and temperature sensor. This is an alternative and at a lower price point. GOOD MACRO LENS & A COMPACT WIDE ANGLE LENS★★☆☆☆ for Accessories Kraken supports the Kraken KRH07 with a wide range of accessories. The housing itself comes with ¼"-20 threaded holes, making it easy to mount on most trays. A snap-on red filter is available, though we found it the least effective of the filters we tested and often had to tweak and experiment with different white balance settings in the app for acceptable results. The red filter also cannot be mounted with a wide angle lens at the same time. With Filter & Auto White BalanceWith Filter & Manual White BalanceThe Kraken red filter provided poor color correction at depth, requiring trial and error manual white balance changes for better results. For lenses, Kraken offers an optional Kraken M52 and M67 Lens Adapter that bolts securely onto the housing, supporting both 67mm and 52mm optics. The wet lens must be lined up with the active phone camera lens before jumping in the water, as it requires a hex key to adjust the lens holder’s position. We tested the Kraken KRL-07 M52 Wide Angle Lens for Smartphones and the Kraken KRL-03 +12 Macro Lens. The wide-angle lens was compact, and though it did increase the field of view, it had soft corners and lacked sharpness. The Kraken KRL-07 also vignetted when using the app’s ultra-wide lens mode. The Kraken KRL-03 macro lens provided a generous depth of field and comfortable working distance, making it one of our favorites for super close work. The Kraken KRH07 supports a wide range of accessories. Using the Kraken M52 and M67 Lens Adapter, it can accept 52mm and 67mm threaded lenses such as the Kraken KRL-03 +12 Close-Up Macro Lens and the Kraken KRL-07 M52 Wide Angle Lens for Smartphone Housings. ProsRugged, aluminum frontGood macro lens Easy to use, responsive appConsTricky phone installation systemVery inaccurate depth sensorConfusing vacuum status readout Soft corners with Kraken KRL-07 wide angle lens Kraken KRH07 Universal Smart Phone Housing V2 ProORDER NOW Kraken KRH08Universal Smart Phone Housing V2ORDER NOW Kraken M52 & M67 Lens Adapter for Smart Housing V2ORDER NOW Kraken KRL-07 M52 Wide Angle LensORDER NOW Kraken +12 67mm Close-Up Macro LensORDER NOWBACK TO TOPPHONES VS CAMERASCan a Smartphone Replace an Underwater Camera? So, after all that, can a smartphone replace a dedicated underwater camera system? The honest answer is: it depends entirely on the diver and their goals. A smartphone rig can be the perfect solution in certain situations. For travelers who want to pack light and capture fun clips while snorkeling or cliff-jumping to share on social media, the convenience is unbeatable. Even on a dedicated scuba trip, a phone can be a great, easy-to-use tool for recording a few simple videos or photos as keepsakes. Serious Drawbacks for Photographers Divers who go on trips specifically to create high-quality images will encounter serious limitations, including lighting options, image quality, and controls. Phones Can’t Use Strobes The biggest hurdle for photographers is lighting. A phone cannot sync with an underwater strobe, which is essential for achieving proper color, contrast, and exposure in photos. Without strobes, smartphones will struggle to come close to the quality of still photos captured by dedicated cameras, especially for wide angle images. Smartphones can only use video lights, which can work for macro shots where subjects are extremely close and require less light. For wide angle, however, even the brightest video lights will struggle to illuminate the majority of wide angle scenes. Though there are some exceptions where powerful lights will work (dark, deep, low ambient light conditions) smartphone users will trend towards shooting ambient light in bright, wide angle conditions where most people tend to dive. While it’s technically possible to use extremely powerful video lights for wide angle photos in low light, this goes against the appeal of smartphone systems, which are meant to be simple, lightweight, and travel-friendly. Dedicated cameras like the OM System TG-7, however, have a key advantage: they can use strobes. This allows them to light virtually any scene in any environment, making them far more versatile than smartphones for any type of shooting. Video LightsStrobesWithout a flash, it's almost impossible to use settings that will balance foreground and background light.iPhone 13 Pro Max | SeaLife SportDiver Ultra Housing | +15 MACROMATE MINIOM System TG-7 | Olympus PT-059 HousingWhile a smartphone with a good close-up lens and video lights can produce decent macro images, the OM System TG-7’s ability to focus closer and fire a strobe gives it a clear advantage in both magnification and image quality.Soft Focus in the Corners Smartphones’ image quality is further hindered by their use of constant open apertures. While this design allows more light to reach the sensor and works well for topside shooting, underwater it reduces depth of field. The result of the reduced depth of field is corners that appear soft and smudgy. Wide angle lenses, which would normally correct this issue with a dedicated underwater camera, have little effect on smartphones. In addition, smartphones require macro lenses to achieve enough magnification to fill the frame with small subjects. By contrast, the OM System TG-7 can deliver impressive macro photography right out of the box with no additional accessories required. iPhone 13 Pro Max | DiveVOLK SeaTouch Housing | DiveVolk M67 Wide LensOlympus TG-5 | Olympus PT-059 Housing | Backscatter M52 Wide Angle LensCompared to smartphones, the OM System TG-7 with a wide-angle lens delivers images that are crisp and razor-sharp.Dedicated Camera Controls Make All the Difference Speed and control are another concern. Dedicated camera housings feature physical buttons and dials that provide instant access to settings such as shutter speed and aperture. On a phone, these critical options are hidden within menus. This makes adjustments slower and increases the likelihood of missing fleeting opportunities, especially when subjects are moving or the scene is changing quickly. Smartphones are Better Suited for Video Shooters For video shooters, the outlook is much brighter. With a quality housing, video lights, and the right accessories, smartphones can deliver surprisingly good results. Still, video workflow can be less efficient with smartphones. Instead of simply removing a memory card, large video files must be transferred off the phone, which can be time-consuming. That said, we have many customers who shoot smartphones as primary or backup video systems that are pleased with the results. Smartphones are a good choice for divers looking to pack extremely light or just want to capture happy-snappy clips. For divers looking to get into photography especially, or want to spend their entire dive trip capturing video and photos, advanced options like the OM System TG-7 and Olympus E-M10 IV are good alternatives.CONCLUSIONSeaLife SportDiver Ultra | 19.5/25 Stars ★ Our Overall Top Pick thanks to its blend of ease of use, a feature-rich app, and one of the best accessory ecosystems. For divers who want the smoothest balance of performance and simplicity, this housing is hard to beat. DiveVOLK Seatouch 4 Max | 16/25 Stars ★ With full touchscreen control and compatibility with any app (including professional photo and video apps like Blackmagic Cinema) it provides unmatched flexibility and creative potential, making it the best choice for divers focused on getting the shot. Oceanic+ | 15.5/25 Stars ★ The Oceanic iPhone prioritizes comfort, simplicity, and ease of use above all else. With intuitive operation and a companion app that handles everything from color correction to dive computer functionality (with an added subscription), it’s the most approachable system for new underwater shooters or those looking for a simple system. Kraken KRH07 | 13/25 Stars ★ With aluminum construction, reliable app, and in-housing phone charging make the Kraken KRH07 a very durable option in the lineup and ideal for divers who want a system that can withstand heavy use. All in all, smartphones make an excellent choice for divers who want a travel-friendly video system, a way to capture simple snapshots, or a lightweight alternative to carrying a separate camera setup. With the right housing, they can produce good video and snapshots, especially for casual shooters. However, they are held back by key limitations. Smartphones cannot trigger strobes, making it impossible to achieve the same color, contrast, and lighting control as dedicated cameras. Their controls are slower and less intuitive underwater, and lens performance is often subpar, with softer corners and less sharpness overall. Importantly, there is always the question of risk: bringing a smartphone underwater means exposing a lifeline—containing banking apps, travel documents, and essential communication tools—to the possibility of flooding, as well as the risk of total loss if the phone is dropped overboard or not properly clipped off. While the risk may be small, it is never zero. Dedicated underwater cameras, like the OM System TG-7, will deliver superior results, especially for serious photography. For divers who value image quality and creative control above all else, a dedicated camera remains the clear choice. For everyone else, smartphones offer a surprisingly capable, compact alternative. We hope you’ve enjoyed this in-depth look at the best underwater smartphone housings available today. At Backscatter, our team is made up of active divers who test and shoot with the same gear we recommend. Our sales staff has hands-on experience with every product we carry and is always just a phone call away if you need advice or support. That real-world expertise is what shaped this roundup, helping us show you how each housing performed and why we ranked them the way we did. If you found this review helpful, we’d love your support, and the best way to keep content like this coming is by purchasing your gear from us. WHY BUY FROM BACKSCATTER?Free lifetime tech support with every purchase. We will beat any advertised price. 20+ years of in-house warranty service and repair. Free shipping to USA and Canada and low-cost international shipping.Learn more!Related PostsBest Smartphone & iPhone Underwater Housings of 2025 Using a smartphone is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get started in underwater image-making. At Backscatter, we set out to answer two key questions: Which smartphone housings perform t... Read More Supercharge Your Underwater GoPro Video With The Best Techniques & Gear Are you a diver who just wants to capture a few cool moments underwater? Or maybe you’re all about getting the best video possible from every dive. Or perhaps you're already using a big camera ri... Read More The Backscatter Underwater Fluorescence Strobe & Lighting System Do you remember having a psychedelic black light poster in your dorm room or first apartment? If you dig that kind of far-out graphics, and are tired of the same images with the same color, then you’l... Read More Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger Review & Setup Guide The Backscatter Smart Control Optical TTL Flash Trigger provides super-accurate, automatic flash exposures with Olympus/OM System and Sony cameras using Backscatter strobes. The Olympus/OM System trig... Read More Backscatter Xterminator—Eliminate Backscatter In A Single Click! Backscatter Xterminator (BSXT), developed by GoAskErin, is a game-changing Photoshop plugin that eliminates backscatter from underwater photos with a single miraculous click. Read More GoPro HERO13 Camera & Underwater Housing Review The new GoPro HERO13 Black action camera is packed full of new features for both the underwater and topside video shooters. The GoPro HERO13 now has access to the new HERO Black Lens series, magnetic ... Read More ARTICLE KEYWORDS: The,Best,Underwater,Smartphone,Housings,Of,The,Year,2025,2026,iphone,android,samsung,google,pixel,galaxy,case,enclosure,phone,smart