A closer look: Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus underwater housing

Now, taking a closer look at the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus underwater housing. The standout feature is that it’s currently the only smartphone housing on the market that allows full use of your smartphone’s touchscreen underwater. This feature is, in our opinion, a real game-changer.

Why Full Touchscreen Functionality Underwater is So Important

Modern smartphones are very powerful, with fast processors, excellent cameras and AI capabilities that enhance image quality. Being able to use these features underwater can make a huge difference. However, most other smartphone housings limit functionality underwater, as they don’t allow you to use the touchscreen. Instead, they require a third-party app that connects to the housing, which then relies on physical buttons for operation.

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus: No Limits on Functionality Underwater

With the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus, this limitation is eliminated, enabling you to use the full functionality of your phone while underwater. You can even make an emergency call as soon as you're above water. All of this works with the phone still inside the underwater housing.

Limitations of Traditional Smartphone Housings

Most housings require you to navigate menus and operate your phone’s camera through physical buttons, which works well enough for basic functions but has limitations. For example, certain features (especially on iPhones) aren’t accessible via third-party apps, likely due to restrictions from Apple or the phone manufacturers themselves.

Take Advantage of ProRes and Cinematic Mode Underwater

A drawback of using a smartphone with Cinematic mode or ProRes capabilities without touchscreen access is the inability to utilize these features. Cinematic mode offers a depth-of-field effect, while ProRes 422 provides enhanced flexibility for color correction and grading during post-production. Without access to these functions, the quality and creative possibilities for editing underwater footage may be limited.

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus: Full Touchscreen Access at Depths of up to 40 Meters

With the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus, you can use your smartphone's entire touchscreen underwater, which works phenomenally. There are no issues using the touchscreen at depths of up to 40 meters, where it still functioned flawlessly. One important detail: to ensure the touchscreen operates smoothly, you need to remove any protective screens or shields from your smartphone before placing it in the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus.

Easy to Use, Compatible with Various Smartphones

The ability to use the touchscreen underwater is a significant advantage of this housing over other models. Additionally, it’s compatible with a variety of smartphone models, making it versatile and future-proof. Since Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus doesn’t rely on buttons or third-party apps, there’s no setup hassle. All you need is an insert specific to your phone’s size, which you place around the phone before sliding it into the housing. Then, you simply tighten two small screws and it’s ready to go. Check all compatible smartphones for this waterproof case here.

Future-Proof Investment for Smartphone Upgrades

Even if you upgrade your phone in the future, this housing will remain compatible with your new model, as long as you have the appropriate insert. This adaptability, combined with full touchscreen functionality underwater, makes Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus a top choice for underwater smartphone housing.

Snorkeling with your smartphone

Extra Benefits for Underwater Photography and Videography

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus has a few additional benefits for underwater photography and video, enhancing the smartphone’s usability significantly. One minor limitation is that Face ID won’t work underwater, so you’ll need to enter your passcode. But everything else, like switching to ProRes, adjusting frame rates, resolution and even accessing cinematic modes, is fully accessible through the touchscreen.

Energy-Efficient Underwater Housing: No Constant Bluetooth Required

Another standout advantage is its battery efficiency. Unlike other housings that require constant Bluetooth connection, which can drain the phone’s battery quickly, the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus doesn’t need to keep the phone screen active the whole time. Instead, it wakes up when you lift it or touch the screen, allowing you to do multiple dives without needing to recharge.

Durable and Safe Design: Watertight Housing Features

The housing’s design also promotes durability and safety. It’s button-free, meaning fewer holes or potential leakage points compared to housings with external controls. The only access point is a small top slot where the phone slides in, reducing the risk of water entry.

Comfortable and Sturdy in Use: Ergonomic Grip and Durable Materials

With a design that comfortably fits in the hand, it’s easy to control without extra trays or stabilizers. Made primarily from durable plastic with aluminum accents, it has proven resilient in real-world underwater environments, offering a reliable, seamless experience for divers seeking high-quality smartphone photography.

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus Accessories for Professional Underwater Shots

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus smartphone housing offers excellent value, priced, making it a competitive option for underwater photography and videography. For this price, you get a versatile, robust housing that allows full touchscreen functionality, which is a major advantage over other models that require additional buttons or apps.

If you’re looking to enhance your setup, a few accessories can elevate your underwater camera experience. Here are some recommendations:

• Clamp and Lens Adapter: This accessory allows you to attach various lenses to the housing, such as wide-angle, macro, or red filters. It's easy to install and remove, making it highly convenient for underwater use. Once on, you can leave it attached and simply move lenses aside when not in use, offering flexibility during dives.

• Wide-Angle Conversion Lens: This lens expands your field of view, producing wider shots with better image quality. It eliminates the blurry corners typical of wide-angle photos taken without this lens, and it helps correct distortion in linear subjects, like underwater piers, ensuring they appear straight rather than curved. To use it, just screw the lens onto the lens adapter and adjust it in front of your camera. And this dome lens is great for split-shots.

• Macro Lens: Another great accessory is the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Plus +15 Macrolens, which attaches similarly to the housing. This lens allows you to capture detailed close-up shots of underwater subjects. Macro wet lens allows you to get even closer to your subject, capturing larger, clearer images. This lens improves the level of detail and brings out more vibrancy in your photos.

Macro photo taken with macro lens on the smartphone housing

These accessories are simple to use and add substantial value, especially for those who want to step up their underwater photo and video capabilities.

The additional accessories for the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Plus housing further enhance its capabilities, particularly for underwater photography and videography:

• Red Filter: The red filter is crucial for underwater filming when diving in tropical clear blue waters, especially at depths greater than 5 meters. It compensates for the loss of red light underwater, resulting in more natural, vibrant colors in your videos. It works well with the most smartphones automatic white balance, enhancing the overall footage quality. You can also combine the red filter with the wide-angle conversion lens for wide-angle shots with excellent color accuracy.

• Lighting Setup: For macro shots, attaching a light is essential. You can use a small light like the Bigblue AL2900XWP II light, which can be attached to the housing via a ball mount and clamp. This light is powerful enough to illuminate close subjects, providing vibrant, crisp macro shots without overwhelming the scene.

• Tripod: For stable macro videography or photography, you can add a small tripod to the bottom of the housing. It helps keep the camera steady while capturing detailed close-up shots.

The setup provides a great mix of affordability, portability, and professional-quality underwater imagery, making it an attractive option for those looking to capture high-quality content during their underwater adventures.