Test iPhone 15: Underwater Photography Review and 2026 Score

There's a question I often get asked in training: "I already have an iPhone 15, do I really need to buy another device for diving?"

The honest answer is nuanced. The iPhone 15 was never designed for underwater photography. It doesn't have the ProRAW feature of its Pro counterpart, it lacks LiDAR, and its USB-C port is still limited to 2.0. However, with over two years having passed, and a second-hand market that has lowered its price, the real question isn't "is it the best choice," but rather "is it enough to get started seriously?"

This test addresses that: what the iPhone 15 truly delivers underwater, in natural light, without any artificial enhancements.

Overall AquaExposure Score: 3.0/5

This device is not ideal for: those who want to do extensive post-processing with high-resolution RAW files, or who film extensively during days with three or more dives.

Score: 3.0/5

The iPhone 15 features a main 48-megapixel sensor with an aperture of f/1.6, and a secondary wide-angle lens with 12 megapixels at f/2.4. Underwater, the main sensor does most of the work. The generous aperture helps capture natural light that is already limited after just a few meters of depth.

What's lacking compared to the Pro models is macro mode. The iPhone 15's wide-angle lens only focuses from 15 to 20 centimeters, whereas the Pro models with LiDAR focus as close as 2 centimeters. For macro photography (nudibranchs, shrimp, fish eggs), this is a significant limitation.For Further Information

Main sensor: 48 MP, f/1.6, 26 mm equivalent, 8x6 mm sensor (approximately 1/1.56"), sensor-shift stabilization Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.4, 13 mm, 120 degrees, no dedicated macro mode No optical telephoto lens: the 2x zoom is a digital crop of the main 48 MP sensor.

Burst RAW shooting speed, shutter lag, and maximum native ISO are not officially documented by Apple for this model. A conservative score was applied to these criteria in the absence of reliable public data.

The 8x6 mm sensor remains smaller than that of the Pro models (1/1.28"). In murky water or at the end of the day when natural light decreases, this difference in surface area is noticeable in digital noise and dynamic range.

Score: 3.5/5

Apple reserves ProRAW for the Pro models since their launch. The standard iPhone 15 does not have access to it. This is the main marketing differentiator between the two lines, and it directly impacts this test.

The good news is that an alternative exists. The Halide app (iOS, paid) offers a "Process Zero" mode that captures a raw DNG file without any algorithmic processing. On the iPhone 15, this RAW file is limited to 12 megapixels, regardless of the lens used, compared to 48 megapixels in ProRAW on the Pro models. This is a true entry point into RAW photography, with a more modest resolution.For Further Exploration

Native Apple RAW (ProRAW): Not available on this model. RAW via third-party app: Halide (Process Zero), DNG 12 megapixels, single exposure capture. Maximum video codec: Dolby Vision HDR, 4K at 30 frames per second. No ProRes, no Log profile (reserved for Pro models). Color science: Apple's Photonic Engine, proprietary ISP without third-party optical partnerships.

To understand why this difference matters so much in underwater photography, the article RAW vs JPEG: Why it changes everything underwater details the principle of color recovery latitude.

Score: 2.0/5

This is where the iPhone 15 disappoints the most. The USB-C port has replaced the Lightning connector, but Apple has maintained a transfer speed of USB 2.0, which is approximately 60 MB/s in practice. This is sufficient for JPEGs and a few DNG files. However, for a day filled with 4K video recording, transferring all the footage from the phone between dives becomes a real chore.

There is no external memory slot, as with all iPhones. The internal storage (128, 256, or 512 GB depending on the model) must hold everything.For Further Information

Connector: USB-C, but limited to USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/s, approximately 60 MB/s actual). Internal storage: 128 / 256 / 512 GB, no external slot. Quick calculation: a day of 3 dives of 45 minutes each with photos plus some 4K clips represents 15 to 25 GB. With 256 GB, there is room, but transferring to an external SSD will take several minutes instead of a few seconds.

The article storage and buffer: what no one tells you before buying details the real impact of a slow port on your field workflow.

Score: 3.2/5

The iPhone 15 retains an aluminum frame, like all non-Pro models. This is a conductive material, so it's something to be aware of in cold water. The good news is that this model does not have the vapor chamber found in the Pro models, which accelerates heat dissipation on the surface but worsens condensation inside the housing in cold water. Therefore, the thermal profile of the iPhone 15 is slightly less aggressive than an equivalent Pro model.

This doesn't eliminate the risk. Below 15 degrees Celsius, an iPhone that hasn't had time to acclimatize can cause the internal glass of the housing to fog up.[!WARNING] Silica gel: recommended. The aluminum housing remains sensitive to temperature fluctuations in cold water. A packet of silica gel inside the housing, along with a few minutes of acclimation in the shade before entering the water, is usually sufficient.

For more information: Housing material: aluminum Cooling system: passive dissipation, no vapor chamber (reserved for Pro models) Certification: IP68, 6 meters, 30 minutes. No MIL-STD-810 certification Ceramic Shield on the front

The article Overheating and condensation of smartphones underwater: the physics of housings details the mechanism and the silica gel protocol.

Score: 3.0/5

The iPhone 15 features a 3349 mAh lithium-ion battery. There is no Silicon-Carbon technology here, this will arrive later in Apple's product lines. With mixed photo and video usage, two dives of 45 minutes are manageable. On a third dive, with extensive 4K video recording, the battery life becomes more limited.For Further Information

Capacity: 3349 mAh Chemistry: Standard Li-Ion Documented cycles: Approximately 1000 cycles before reaching 80% capacity (EU label) Performance in cold water: Not officially documented by Apple. Standard Li-Ion batteries generally lose 20 to 40% of their effective capacity below 5 degrees Celsius. Keeping a charging pack warm inside your wetsuit remains the best solution in winter.

For a liveaboard day with 3 or 4 dives, an external power bank of 10,000 mAh remains a reasonable investment.

Before each dive session, remember to check your external battery. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the power bank that is right for your underwater housing and your desired battery life.

Score: 3.2/5

The iPhone 15 uses phase detection autofocus (PDAF) on its main sensor, without LiDAR (reserved for the Pro models). In good natural light and at shallow depths, it correctly focuses on slowly moving subjects.

Beyond about fifteen meters, or as soon as the light decreases, the lack of LiDAR becomes noticeable. The autofocus hesitates more, especially with small or fast-moving subjects like juvenile fish.For Further Information

AF Technologies: PDAF on the main sensor, contrast focus on the ultra-wide lens. LiDAR: Not available (reserved for Pro models). Focus Peaking: Not natively supported, and absent from common third-party apps for this model.

Score: 3.0/5

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus is compatible with the iPhone 15 (excluding the mini version), via its dedicated adapter module. The principle remains the same as for other iPhones in the range: a gel touchscreen membrane that replicates screen gestures, without any additional physical buttons.

If you already own a SeaTouch for an iPhone 12, 13, or 14, you only need to change the internal adapter, not the entire housing.

For Further Information

Compatible Housing: Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus, iPhone 15 adapter module (excluding mini). Certified Depth: 60 meters. Screen Access: SeaTouch touchscreen membrane. Third-Party App Accessibility: Halide and the native Camera app are accessible from within the housing.

To ensure your smartphone fits securely and compare interior volume, make sure to check if your model's dimensions fit in this housing.

Available Housings

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus with dedicated iPhone 15 adapter. Certified depth of 60 meters, full touchscreen access. Available directly at divevolkdiving.com.

Current Prices (July 2026)Refurbished Options: Back Market: Starting at around €390 (128 GB, in good to very good condition), the refurbished market is now the most logical option for this three-year-old model. Source: Back Market, data as of July 2026.

Given its age and the difference in features compared to newer models, the iPhone 15 is primarily justified when purchased used, specifically for diving photography. This is a typical case where the refurbished market offers more than enough.

Field Workflow: A Day of Three Dives

With 256 GB of storage, a day of three 45-minute dives dedicated to photo and video, including some 4K clips, represents approximately 15 to 25 GB of data. This can be stored without filling the phone's memory, but transferring the files via the USB-C 2.0 port will require more patience than with a Pro model.

Specific Considerations for this Model

The lack of native ProRAW is the most significant limitation: it directs users to Halide if they want RAW format, but with a reduced resolution of 12 megapixels. The USB-C 2.0 port is the second key point to consider before purchasing, especially if you plan on filming extensively. Finally, the aluminum chassis requires the same anti-condensation precautions as other non-Pro iPhones in cold water.

Three out of five. This score represents a mid-range performance, and that's exactly what the iPhone 15 offers for underwater photography.It's not a bad camera. The main sensor performs well in natural light, the Divevolk housing is reliable, and the autofocus works fine as long as there's sufficient light. However, its three major limitations – no native ProRAW support, USB-C limited to 2.0 speed, and lack of LiDAR – indicate a device that was never designed to capture the absolute best possible image.

If you already own an iPhone 15, there's no urgent need to upgrade just for underwater photography. If you're looking to buy a camera specifically for underwater photos, a used model at a low price might be justifiable, but I would recommend considering a Pro model (with LiDAR and ProRAW) or a recent Android device with native RAW support within the same budget.

Are you undecided? Use our underwater photography equipment comparison tool to compare this camera with other tested models.

Having the right equipment is not enough. Manual focusing, managing natural light at depth, approaching animals without disturbing them – these techniques must be learned.

The AquaExposure training program focuses on underwater photography in natural light and is compatible with all cameras and housings, including this iPhone 15 and the Divevolk SeaTouch.