ScubaLab tested six underwater smartphone housings in a head-to-head evaluation. The SeaLife SportDiver Ultra is our Testers Choice for 2024.

Housings were evaluated by a team of test divers using an iPhone XR and iPhone 14 Pro. Housings were used handheld and outfitted with a tray and light, when applicable. Divers scored each housing in several performance categories including build quality, ease of setup, ergonomics and intuitiveness of operation.

This latest version of SeaLife’s SportDiver smartphone housing is slightly larger than its predecessor—allowing for compatibility with even more devices, including larger Samsung S Series Ultra models, Google’s Pixel range, and all iPhone models from iPhone 8 through 15 Pro Max.

Test divers were extremely confident in the housing’s build quality, which consists of durable polycarbonate, stainless steel, aluminum and optical-grade glass. It includes a vacuum port with dual le ak alarms and is depth-rated to 130 feet. The bottom of the housing has multiple ¼-20 threaded holes for outfitting the system with a tray and other accessories. It is powered by two easy-to-replace AAA batteries.

The housing’s camera-like shutter control, well-placed thumb-rest and stocky grip are a pleasure to use handheld or with a tray. Test divers were impressed with the firm, responsive push button controls and liked that the controls provide a tactile, audible “click” when pressed.

Setup is very straightforward with very clear instructions for setting up the vacuum seal. Test divers noted it can take a moment or two to establish the Bluetooth connection between the housing and the smartphone when connecting to the free SportDiver app.

The menu operation is self-explanatory, and the user will never find themselves more than two menus deep. Settings can be kept simple for a hassle-free point-and-shoot experience.

For more advanced users, there are additional options including manual white balance using a selected color temperature, manual focus and video settings up to 60 frames per second in 4k and 120 frames per second in 1080.

Zoom and focus can be accessed via shortcuts while shooting. The playback mode provides quick access to full-resolution photos and videos taken with the app.
SeaLife offers a variety of snap-on color filters and a wide-angle lens that attaches directly to the housing. An adjustable adapter allows users to add any 67 mm or 52 mm wet lens for even more advanced imagining capabilities.

Versatile, robust and refined the user-friendly SportDiver Ultra is ScubaLab’s 2024 Testers Choice for underwater smartphone housings.