Waterproof Phone Cases vs. Underwater Housings: Making the Right Choice for Your Device

With many mobile phone cameras rivaling professional equipment in terms of quality, being able to use your phone underwater is highly beneficial for capturing photos and videos of your experiences. Not to mention the practicality of carrying and using a small, handheld device as opposed to a bulky professional underwater camera, along with the substantial cost savings. But protecting your phone in wet environments, whether you’re diving, snorkeling, or stand-up paddleboarding, is essential to ensure that you don’t end up with a waterlogged device.

The two most popular options for protecting your phone in wet environments are waterproof phone cases and underwater housings, but the two are not interchangeable. In this article, we’ll compare waterproof phone cases vs. underwater housings, including the benefits and applications for each, to determine which is best suited for you.

What is a Waterproof Phone Case?

An underwater case, often referred to as a waterproof phone case or pouch case, is a protective cover designed to encase your smartphone while providing a waterproof barrier. It is a cost-effective solution for basic water protection and is suitable for activities like swimming, snorkeling, or use in wet environments. These cases are known for their affordability, ease of use, versatility, and portability, making them a popular choice among casual water enthusiasts.

When it comes to using these types of cases for taking photos and videos, they are not super effective, as the photo quality can be obscured by the case. But they will do the job of keeping your phone dry, while allowing you to capture your experiences in and near the water. They are also not suitable for diving as they can’t withstand pressure at greater depths. Anything more than a few meters deep and your touchscreen will stop working due to pressure, and you’ll risk leakage.

The Benefits of a Waterproof Phone Case

Waterproof phone cases do have their own set of benefits, which include:

1. Affordability

Waterproof phone cases and pouch cases are generally more budget-friendly compared to underwater housings. They are an economical way to protect your phone from water damage during activities like swimming, snorkeling, or doing watersports.

2. Easy to Use

These cases are typically easy to use. You simply slip your phone into the pouch, seal it, and you're ready to go. They often come with transparent windows, allowing you to use your phone's touchscreen and camera underwater.

3. Versatility

Waterproof phone cases are suitable for occasional water-related activities and provide sufficient protection against splashes, rain, or brief submersion. They are also compatible with various phone models, making them a versatile choice.

4. Portability

Pouch cases are compact and easy to carry, making them a convenient choice for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to protect their phones on the go.

What is an Underwater Housing?

An underwater housing is a specialized, waterproof enclosure designed to provide superior protection to your smartphone, particularly in more demanding conditions. These housings are constructed from high-quality materials like polycarbonate, acrylic, or tempered glass, ensuring durability and resistance to wear and tear. They are favored by professionals and serious water enthusiasts for their ability to enable precise control over camera settings, making them ideal for underwater photography and videography.

The Benefits of an Underwater Housing

1. Superior Protection

Underwater housings are designed for more demanding conditions. They offer a higher level of protection, allowing you to take your phone diving to greater depths. They are often rated for specific underwater depths, allowing users to use their phone cameras safely when scuba diving or freediving and not having to worry about leaks or phone damage.

2. Professional Photography and Videography

Underwater housings are favored by photographers and videographers who require precise control over camera settings. These housings often include dedicated buttons and controls to operate the phone's camera effectively underwater or allow operation through dedicated apps, enabling stunning underwater photography and videography.

3. Depth Rating and Diving Capability

One significant advantage of underwater housings is their depth rating. These housings are rigorously tested and rated for specific underwater depths, with some, like the ProShot Touch Case rated up to 15 meters (50 feet) and others, like the ProShot Dive Case, rated up to 40 meters (130 feet). This means you can confidently take your phone diving without worrying about it breaking or getting damaged due to water pressure. This feature makes underwater housings the go-to choice for divers and underwater photographers who need to capture the beauty of the deep sea.

4. Durability and Build Quality

Housings are constructed from robust materials, ensuring durability and resistance to wear and tear. They are built to withstand prolonged exposure to saltwater and other harsh environmental conditions.

5. Customization and Compatibility

Underwater housings are available for a wide range of smartphone models and are designed to be compatible with specific phones, ensuring a precise fit and optimal performance, while others are universal, meaning they are compatible with a range of different phone models.

6. Special Features

Underwater housings come with a variety of different features depending on the model you get. Many are mountable, meaning you can mount accessories like hand grips, tripods, dive lights, and even full-action kits directly to the housing. You can also get filter packs, which will help balance the colors in your shots to make them vivid and saturated.

Why Are Underwater Housings More Expensive?

While you can get a waterproof phone case or pouch case for as little as $10, the premium features of an underwater housing will come with a premium price tag. Underwater housings require specialized engineering and materials to provide the necessary protection at greater depths. The use of high-quality, durable materials contributes to their cost.

Features like mounts, interchangeable lenses, and specially designed apps make underwater housings suitable for professional underwater photography and videography, and these added functionalities increase their price. Manufacturers of underwater housings subject their products to rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand the high-pressure conditions of underwater environments, which adds to the production costs. Additionally, underwater housings are designed to fit phone models perfectly. This precision engineering ensures a watertight seal and full functionality, but that also leads to higher costs.

But the reality is, whether you’re a snorkeller, freediver, or scuba diver, if you want to capture quality pictures and videos underwater, then you’re going to need a high-quality underwater housing.

Waterproof Phone Cases vs. Underwater Housings: The Final Verdict

Choosing between a waterproof phone case and an underwater housing depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're an occasional water enthusiast looking for basic protection, a waterproof phone case is a cost-effective choice. On the other hand, if you're someone who frequently ventures into deeper waters, and looking for a reliable way to capture photos and videos on your excursions, an underwater housing offers superior protection and the ability to capture stunning underwater moments. While underwater housings are more expensive, their specialized features, including depth rating and durability, make them worth the investment for those who demand the best in underwater phone protection and photography capabilities.