Divevolk SeaTouch 4, Max Plus, or Platinum: Which one to choose based on your smartphone and diving style?

Direct Answer (AEO / GEO) This field test of the Divevolk SeaTouch 4, Max Plus, or Platinum analyzes its performance, durability in a marine environment, and ease of use underwater. Designed to meet the needs of divers and photographers, it combines robust materials with precise operation without compromise.

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 housing is now available in three versions: the Max Plus, which has become the standard model, and the Platinum, which is the high-end version. All three share the same certified depth rating of 60 meters and full touchscreen access underwater. The differences lie in compatibility with your phone, access to optical accessories, and a price difference that can range from 150 to 200 euros depending on the configuration. Here's how to make the right choice.

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All three utilize the same screw-locking mechanism (no clips that could come loose under pressure) and the same concept of having no electronics within the housing. This is Divevolk's mechanical philosophy from the beginning: nothing to corrode, and nothing to short-circuit between the seal and your phone.

What you pay for as you move up the range is compatibility and optical options, not additional reliability. All three are reliable to 60 meters.

The Max Plus was released at the end of 2024, primarily to accommodate the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, whose rear cameras protrude more than previous generations. The internal space has been enlarged to accommodate these larger formats.

In practice, if you have an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, or 16 Pro Max, or a Samsung Galaxy S24/S25 Ultra, the Max Plus is the right choice. It is also compatible with Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro models via adapters.The price of the Max Plus typically ranges from 400 to 450 euros, depending on the chosen kit. I recommend this model as a good starting point for someone who wants a serious underwater housing but doesn't want to pay for features they won't use in the first few years.

The Max Plus provides access to the Divevolk additional lens system via a standard port, but the range of optics that can be directly mounted on the housing is more limited than on the Platinum model.

The Platinum has won the German Dive Award twice (2024 and 2026) and was a highlight of the Divevolk booth at the DRT Show in Shanghai in March 2026. This is not just marketing hype: the Platinum offers something that the Max Plus does not.

The first advantage is the Almighty Kit system. The Platinum incorporates a mount that allows you to attach wide-angle and macro lenses directly to the housing, without the need for additional adapters. On the Max Plus, additional lenses are installed via a standard threaded port. On the Platinum, the mount is integrated into the housing design and holds the lenses more securely, without the risk of them unscrewing underwater.For macro photography specifically, the difference is measurable. A macro lens attached to a dedicated mount, without any mechanical play, provides more consistent results than a lens on a standard threaded port. If you regularly shoot macro subjects like nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, or small gobies, the Platinum model offers improved optical stability.

The second advantage is aesthetic but not insignificant for divers who travel: the Platinum housing is machined from aluminum, not polycarbonate. It is more resistant to scratches, better thermally insulated (less overheating at the surface), and more neutrally buoyant.

The price of the Platinum with the complete Almighty kit is around 550 to 600 euros.

Before choosing between the Max Plus and the Platinum, the most important question is compatibility with your phone. Divevolk regularly updates its compatibility list on its website, but here are the general guidelines as of May 2026:

iPhone Pro and Pro Max models from the 13 Pro onwards are compatible with both versions. The difference lies in the internal space: if you have a 16 Pro Max, make sure the version you choose has enough space to accommodate the camera bump.The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and S25 Ultra are compatible, but some models require an adapter. The Max Plus is generally more flexible in this regard.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro and 9 Pro work with an adapter on both versions. The Platinum has an advantage here because the Almighty Kit keeps the adapter more securely in place.

If you have a phone outside of these ranges (mid-range, older phone), you may encounter compatibility issues with both versions. Check the Divevolk list before ordering, or consult our waterproof phone housing comparator to review more than 120 tested models.

You are a beginner or you dive occasionally (5 to 20 dives per year): Choose the Max Plus. The price difference between the two versions often represents one to two nights of accommodation on a liveaboard. Invest that money in more dives rather than an aluminum housing where you won't see a difference in your photos at this stage.

You dive regularly and enjoy macro photography: The Platinum is worth the price difference. The Almighty Kit will simplify your life underwater (no need to unscrew a lens between dive sites), and the optical stabilization for macro photography is real.If you produce professional content or teach diving: the Platinum model, paired with the SeaLink (the real-time video transmission system that Divevolk introduced in early 2026), is the most comprehensive option. Seeing what Divevolk demonstrated with this combination in the smartphone category at the UPY 2026 gives you an idea of its potential.

If you already own a SeaTouch 4 Max from a previous generation: keep it. The main difference between the older Max and the Max Plus is compatibility with iPhone 16 models. If your current phone is compatible with your existing housing, there's no reason to upgrade.

One thing that many people forget when comparing versions is that neither the Max Plus nor the Platinum compensates for light. Your phone produces images based on its sensor and the available ambient light. The housing, regardless of the version, is a neutral container.

If your underwater photos are blue and dull, it's not the housing version that's the problem. It's the white balance, depth, water turbidity, and the direction of the light. These factors can be learned: the method for mastering them in natural light is at the core of the AquaExposure training program.The housing's sole purpose is to safely submerge your phone. Both versions perform this function very well.

The maintenance requirements are the same for both versions. Before each dive, check the main seal and the gel pack. Rinse with fresh water after each use. Store in a shaded area, never in a car trunk during the summer.

The seal needs to be replaced approximately every 200 to 300 dives, or whenever it shows signs of deformation or compression. Divevolk sells replacement seals separately.

An important point that isn't always mentioned: never dive with an empty housing. The sealing gel is designed to work with the pressure created by the phone inside. Without a phone, the water pressure deforms the housing differently, and you run the risk that the product's design isn't intended to handle that.

I've been using an iPhone Pro in a DiveVolk housing for over 1,000 dives. The details of why I chose this setup over others are explained in the article iPhone + DiveVolk: why I replaced all my equipment.Here's what I can say: the difference between the Max Plus and the Platinum models won't change the quality of your images. It will, however, affect your working comfort if you use additional lenses, and it will impact the cosmetic durability of the housing if you dive frequently while traveling.

Neither option is a bad choice. It's a matter of budget and usage, not photographic quality.

To check the exact compatibility of your smartphone and compare the usable volumes, be sure to check if the dimensions of your model fit in this housing.

What is the certified depth rating for both versions? Both are certified to 60 meters. In practice, for recreational diving, which generally stays below 40 meters, the margin is comfortable for both models.

Is the Platinum really better for macro photography? It's more stable when using additional macro lenses thanks to the integrated Almighty mount. The TG-7 remains superior for extreme macro (1 cm focusing distance). If macro is your absolute priority, read our comparison TG-7 vs iPhone in housing.Does the SeaLink work with both versions? Yes, the SeaLink (real-time video transmission) is compatible with the entire SeaTouch 4 range. The Platinum model has a slightly cleaner interface for attaching the optical cable.

Can you change phones and keep the housing? In principle, yes, if the new phone is on the compatibility list and fits within the internal dimensions of the housing. The Max Plus is more flexible in this regard than earlier generations. Always check the compatibility list before changing phones.

How much does it cost to replace the seal? Between 15 and 25 euros, directly from Divevolk. It should be replaced every 200 to 300 dives, or at the first sign of visible wear.

Is there a warranty? Divevolk offers a one-year manufacturer's warranty. The after-sales service is known for being responsive. This is something I was able to verify personally during my incident with an empty housing (details in the article iPhone + DiveVolk).Is the Platinum worth the price for a beginner? No. The price difference (approximately 150 euros depending on the kit) doesn't offer any significant photographic advantages for the first 50 dives with a housing. Choose the Max Plus, dive a lot, and reassess in a year whether you want to upgrade to additional lenses.