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

To learn how to get the most out of your gear underwater, discover the AquaExposure training. # Divevolk SeaTouch 4, Max Plus or Platinum: Which one to choose based on your smartphone and your diving practice

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 housing now comes in three versions: the Max Plus, which has become the standard model, and the Platinum, which is the premium version. All three share the same certified depth of 60 meters and full underwater touchscreen access. The difference lies 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 choose without making a mistake.

AquaExposure is a partner of Divevolk. You can find the discount code and direct link at the end of the article, as well as on our partners page.

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

What you're paying for in the price range is compatibility and optical options. There's no added reliability – all three are reliable to 60 meters.

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 the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro via adapters.

The price of the Max Plus ranges from €400 to €450 depending on the chosen kit. This is the option I recommend as an entry-level option for someone who wants a serious housing without paying for options that they will not 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 lenses that can be directly mounted on the housing is more limited than on the Platinum.

The first advantage is the Almighty Kit system. The Platinum features a mount that allows you to directly attach wide-angle and macro lenses to the housing, without the need for an additional adapter. On the Max Plus, additional lenses are installed via a standard threaded port. With the Platinum, the mount is integrated into the housing design and holds the lenses more stably, without the risk of them coming loose underwater.

Specifically for macro photography, the difference is measurable. A macro lens attached to a dedicated mount, without any mechanical play, gives more consistent results than a lens on a standard threaded port. If you regularly practice macro photography (nudibranchs, cleaner shrimp, small gobies), the Platinum gives you greater optical stability.

The second advantage is cosmetic but not insignificant for traveling divers: the Platinum housing is made of aluminum, not polycarbonate. It is more scratch-resistant, better thermally insulated (less overheating on the surface), and more neutral in buoyancy.

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

iPhones Pro and Pro Max from the 13 Pro are compatible with both versions. The difference lies in the internal storage: if you have a 16 Pro Max, make sure the version you are targeting has sufficient space for the camera bump.

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.

Google Pixel 8 Pro and 9 Pro work with both versions using an adapter. The Platinum has an advantage here because the Almighty kit holds the adapter more securely.

If you have a phone outside of these ranges (mid-range, older phone), you may experience compatibility issues with both versions. Check the Divevolk list before ordering.

Are you a regular diver and enjoy macro photography: The Platinum is worth the price difference. The Almighty Kit system will simplify your underwater life (no need to unscrew a lens between two sites) and the optical stability in macro is real.

Are you producing professional content or teaching: The Platinum with the SeaLink (the real-time video transmission system that Divevolk presented in early 2026) is the most consistent option. Seeing what DiveVolk showed with this combination in the smartphone category at UPY 2026 gives you an idea of the potential.

Do you already own a SeaTouch 4 Max from a previous generation: Keep it. The difference between the old Max and the Max Plus is mainly the compatibility with iPhone 16. If your current phone is compatible with your existing housing, you have no reason to change.

If your underwater photos are blue and dull, it's not the housing version that's the problem. It's the white balance, the depth, the water turbidity, and the direction of the light. These parameters need to be learned – the method for mastering them in natural light is at the heart of the AquaExposure training.

The housing, on the other hand, only does one thing: it keeps your phone safe underwater. Both versions do this very well.

The seal requires replacement approximately every 200-300 dives, or as soon as it shows signs of deformation or initial crushing. Divevolk sells replacement seals separately.

A point that is not always mentioned in the descriptions: Never dive with an empty case. The waterproof gel is designed to work with the pressure created by the phone inside. Without the phone, the water pressure deforms the case differently, and you risk the design not being suitable for handling.

What I can say here is: the difference between the Max Plus and the Platinum won't change the quality of your images. It will change your workflow if you use additional lenses, and it will change the cosmetic durability of the housing if you dive frequently while traveling.

Neither is a bad decision. It's a matter of budget and preference, not photographic quality.

If you have decided to purchase a DiveVolk, please use our affiliate link (transparency is important): automatic 6% discount on your entire order by simply clicking on this link to divevolk.com, without needing to enter a code. The discount reaches up to 25% during special offers. The complete page for our equipment partnerships is on aquaexposure.com/partners.

To go further on condensation and overheating, read our dedicated article: Smartphone overheating and condensation in an underwater housing.

To go further on the technology behind your images, explore our guide to underwater photography technology: 11 interactive chapters from pixels to underwater optics.

Not sure which device to choose? Use our underwater photography gear comparator to compare this device with other tested models.