If you want to use your Android phone snorkeling to get some good pictures, and are looking for the best Android phone housings, there are only a couple of good options that we talk about below. You can find lots of different inexpensive “waterproof” cases on Amazon. But they are not worth risking your expensive phone on, and they don’t have the features and apps necessary for taking good pictures. You need a real underwater housing built specifically for taking pictures, that fully protects your phone and all its essential data and pictures.
Many higher end Android phones now have excellent cameras, and can take great pictures while snorkeling. With the lack of new compact cameras and housings available, using your phone is really looking like a good idea. So we think taking your Android phone snorkeling is a great way to go, but only if you get a high quality housing.
You Need an Underwater Housing Made for Android Photography
It’s worth repeating, but don’t buy just any waterproof case to take your Android phone snorkeling. Not only are there very questionable products available for this, that will likely flood your Android phone, but they also will not give you the necessary control over your camera functions that you need to get good pictures while snorkeling.
You likely have lots of important travel information on your phone, and precious pictures from your trip. Don’t risk that with a housing that is not robust and proven to be able to handle the rigors of snorkeling.
Note: Our suggestions come from hands-on experience. We hope you find them helpful. You can help us if you purchase from the links below. We may make a small commission, as an Amazon Associate or from other companies, at no extra cost to you.
Our Favorite Housings for Taking Your Android Phone Snorkeling
ProShot Housing – Now Available for Android
For many years we have recommended ProShot housings for iPhones, and they have now come out with two universal housings for nearly all Android phones.
ProShot is a USA company that has been around for years. They have great products, service, and an amazing warranty, all at an affordable price (and 20% less with the coupon below).
The ProShot warranty actually covers damage of your phone, which no other housing offers.
ProShot also offers our readers a 20% discount off your first purchase, using the links below, with the code TropicalSnorkel20.
ProShot has two cases available for taking your Android phone snorkeling: the Touch Case and the Dive Case.
The ProShot Touch Case for Android is rated to a depth of 50 ft (15m), and allows you to use your touch screen above water, but requires the use of your physical buttons for taking pictures underwater, using their app.
The ProShot Dive Case for Android is rated to 130 ft (40 m), and there is no access to your touch screen while your phone is in the case. It uses their app to control your camera with the physical buttons on your phone.
Both of these cases can be used with nearly all Android smartphones, excluding any that fold. If the phone’s volume keys are on the right side of the phone, it will work. This includes the Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Huawei, Xiaomi, Sony, Oppo, and Motorola phones.
ProShot cases are really easy to use with their app. Not only does the app make it so you can use your physical buttons underwater to take pictures and make setting changes, their app also has underwater modes that help improve the colors of your pictures, adjusting for the loss of color underwater.
Because ProShot cases use a special app that allows you to control your camera settings with the physical buttons on your phone, there is no computer battery in the housing, and no need for battery sucking Bluetooth connections with your phone. It’s very simple to take your Android phone snorkeling.
These housings are also compatible with your screen protectors, unlike the DiveVolk housing below.
Their housings also allow you to add red filters, if you like to use those to adjust the colors underwater.
ProShot cases come with a floating hand grip and they use standard GoPro mounts for attaching other accessories. It also comes with a nice protective travel case and cleaning tools, their free photo app, and their Smarphone Protection Guarantee and case warranty.
If you are finding this info helpful you will love our free monthly snorkeling newsletter, in which we share lots of snorkeling camera and photo tips.
DIVEVOLK – Full Touch Screen Underwater for Nearly All Android Phones
The DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max is a quality housing that allows you to take your Android phone snorkeling. It costs a bit more than the ProShot, but is easy to use. It has a special screen surface that allows you to use your phone’s touch screen underwater, giving you full control over your camera underwater. There are no buttons on the housing and no special photo app required. The single small door for putting your phone into the housing has an excellent gasket system.
Because you can use your phone almost normally underwater, you can use other apps. You could take a quick note underwater about something you have seen, look at a fish ID guide, set a timer, or even make an emergency call at the surface if you have a connection.
DIVEVOLK 6% Discount Using Links Below
Note that you will receive a 6% discount at checkout on DiveVolk’s website when you use the links below.
DIVEVOLK Models Explained
There are two versions of this housing, the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max at $230 and the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum at $500. The only real difference between these two is that standard version is plastic and the Platinum version is made from aluminum (not platinum). The Platinum version includes an accessory lens arm that bolts on, and a 1/4″ tripod mount on the bottom.
Both versions work with nearly any Android smartphone, so long as you have the correct adapter tray. They can also provide a tray for nearly any other smartphone, including most Samsung Galaxy smartphones, Google Pixel smartphones, and many other popular brands. They can even custom 3D-print a phone adapter for your specific phone if they don’t have yours in stock.
The accessory lens and filter attachments are affordable and would make a nice addition. The accessory lenses are all wet lenses, meaning you can easily change them in the water. The plastic model can also use the different lens and filter options. You just have to purchase the special clamp adapter arm. They also have lots of handle and lighting accessories available if you desire.
- Clamp and lens adapter for the plastic housing
- Filters and Lenses – Wide Angle, Macro, Over/Under Dome
- Travel Hard Case
- Soft screen protector
If you think you might want some of the accessories, they offer housing kits here.
Suggestions and Questions From Other Snorkelers
DIVEVOLK Cons
There are some limitations to the DIVEVOLK housings. The touch screen is not as responsive as your phone is, but it is still very usable. On all smartphones you must remove any screen protectors, to prevent damage to the internal membrane, and so that all touch functions work. The screws on the housing can be a bit hard on the fingers. Facial recognition does not work inside the housing.
You have to set up your phone so that you can turn it on with the screen, and set it to stay on when you want it to. Remember, once the phone is in the housing you will not have access to any physical buttons on it.
Finally, the quality of the pictures are only going to be as good as the quality of your smartphone camera, and how well the computer or AI manages colors underwater. Additionally, like nearly all other lenses that use a flat port underwater, we have seen that the images tend to be rather soft and less focused the further away from the center you get. The Wide Angle adapter lens may help somewhat with this.