Underwater Camera Gear Comparator
Which camera to choose for underwater photography in natural light?
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26 / 26 devices
smartphoneiOSultraProResUSB 3.2+Cold water condensation risk
iPhone 17 Pro Max
2025
4.2/5
In cold water (<15°C), the aluminium chassis + vapor chamber creates condensation risk. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (titanium) is safer in cold water.
B1
3.8
B2
4.7
B3
4.3
B4
2.8
B5
4.0
B6
5.0
B7
5.0
New from 1479€
smartphoneAndroidflagshipUSB 3.2+Si-C
Xiaomi 17
2026
4.1/5
B1
4.2
B2
4.5
B3
3.5
B4
3.8
B5
4.5
B6
4.0
B7
4.0
New from 999€
smartphoneAndroidflagshipUSB 3.2+Si-C
Xiaomi 17T Pro
2026
4.1/5
B1
4.3
B2
4.5
B3
3.5
B4
3.8
B5
4.7
B6
4.0
B7
3.0
New from 799€
smartphoneAndroidultraUSB 3.2+Si-CCold water condensation risk
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
2025
4.1/5
B1
4.0
B2
4.6
B3
4.2
B4
2.5
B5
4.8
B6
4.0
B7
5.0
New from 1299€
smartphoneiOSultraProResUSB 3.2+Cold water condensation risk
iPhone 17 Pro
2025
4.1/5
B1
3.8
B2
4.7
B3
4.1
B4
2.8
B5
3.5
B6
5.0
B7
5.0
New from 1199€
smartphoneAndroidultraUSB 3.2+Si-CCold water condensation risk
Vivo X200 Ultra
2025
4.0/5
B1
3.8
B2
4.6
B3
3.8
B4
2.5
B5
5.0
B6
4.0
B7
5.0
New from 1099€
smartphoneAndroidultraUSB 3.2+Cold water condensation risk
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
2025
3.8/5
B1
3.4
B2
4.4
B3
4.0
B4
2.8
B5
4.5
B6
4.0
B7
3.0
New from 1099€
smartphoneAndroidultraUSB 3.2+
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
2025
3.8/5
B1
3.7
B2
4.1
B3
3.8
B4
3.5
B5
3.0
B6
4.0
B7
5.0
New from 1299€
smartphoneAndroidmidSi-C
Poco F8 Ultra
2025
3.8/5
USB 2.0 port: transferring 20 GB takes ~3 minutes. Plan for an SSD and extra time between dives.
B1
3.5
B2
4.0
B3
3.0
B4
3.0
B5
4.0
B6
3.5
B7
3.5
Used from 558€
Used recommended
smartphoneAndroidCold water condensation risk
Honor Magic 5 Pro
2026
3.7/5
B1
3.6
B2
3.9
B3
3.9
B4
2.8
B5
3.5
B6
4.0
B7
4.0
smartphoneAndroidmid
Oppo Reno 15 Pro
2026
3.7/5
B1
3.5
B2
3.8
B3
3.0
B4
3.5
B5
3.5
B6
3.5
B7
3.5
New from 699€
smartphoneHarmonyOSLimited RAW apps on this OS
flagshipUSB 3.2+
Huawei Mate 90 Pro
2024
3.7/5
B1
3.8
B2
3.5
B3
3.5
B4
3.0
B5
3.5
B6
3.5
B7
3.5
New from 999€
smartphoneAndroidflagshipUSB 3.2+Cold water condensation risk
Google Pixel 10 Pro
2025
3.7/5
B1
3.4
B2
4.2
B3
3.8
B4
2.8
B5
4.2
B6
3.8
B7
3.0
New from 999€
smartphoneAndroidflagshipUSB 3.2+Si-C
Vivo X300 Ultra
2025
3.7/5
B1
3.8
B2
4.0
B3
3.5
B4
3.0
B5
4.0
B6
3.5
B7
3.5
New from 999€
smartphoneAndroidflagshipUSB 3.2+
Samsung Galaxy S26
2026
3.6/5
B1
3.5
B2
4.0
B3
3.5
B4
3.5
B5
3.5
B6
3.5
B7
3.5
New from 899€
smartphoneAndroidultraUSB 3.2+Cold water condensation risk
Honor Magic V5
2025
3.6/5
B1
3.8
B2
3.5
B3
3.5
B4
2.8
B5
3.5
B6
3.5
B7
3.0
New from 1299€
smartphoneAndroidflagshipUSB 3.2+Si-CCold water condensation risk
Vivo X300 Pro
2025
3.5/5
B1
3.6
B2
3.8
B3
3.2
B4
2.8
B5
3.8
B6
3.5
B7
3.0
New from 799€
smartphoneAndroidmid
Xiaomi 15T
2025
3.4/5
B1
3.3
B2
3.8
B3
2.5
B4
3.5
B5
3.2
B6
3.5
B7
3.8
New from 499€
smartphoneiOSflagshipCold water condensation risk
iPhone 17
2025
3.4/5
In cold water (<15°C), the aluminium chassis + vapor chamber creates condensation risk. The iPhone 16 Pro Max (titanium) is safer in cold water.
High condensation risk in cold water. Silica gel protocol mandatory.
USB 2.0 port: transferring 20 GB takes ~3 minutes. Plan for an SSD and extra time between dives.
B1
3.2
B2
4.0
B3
3.5
B4
2.0
B5
3.5
B6
4.0
B7
3.5
New from 899€
smartphoneAndroidmidUSB 3.2+
Nothing Phone (3)
2025
3.4/5
B1
3.5
B2
3.5
B3
3.0
B4
3.5
B5
3.5
B6
3.5
B7
3.0
New from 699€
smartphoneAndroidentry
Motorola Edge 60 Fusion
2025
3.3/5
Best value for money in this range.
B1
3.0
B2
3.9
B3
2.5
B4
3.5
B5
3.0
B6
4.0
B7
3.0
New from 349€
smartphoneAndroidmidUSB 3.2+Cold water condensation risk
Google Pixel 9
2024
3.3/5
B1
3.2
B2
4.0
B3
3.5
B4
2.8
B5
3.8
B6
3.5
B7
3.0
New from 599€
Used recommended
smartphoneAndroidmidUSB 3.2+
Samsung Galaxy S24
2024
3.2/5
B1
3.0
B2
3.5
B3
3.0
B4
3.5
B5
3.0
B6
3.5
B7
3.5
New from 599€
Used recommended
smartphoneiOSmid
iPhone 16
2024
3.2/5
USB 2.0 port: transferring 20 GB takes ~3 minutes. Plan for an SSD and extra time between dives.
B1
3.2
B2
3.8
B3
1.8
B4
3.5
B5
3.2
B6
3.5
B7
3.0
New from 699€
Used recommended
smartphoneAndroidentryCold water condensation risk
Huawei P30 Pro
2019
2.5/5
Best value for money in this range.
B1
3.5
B2
1.8
B3
1.5
B4
2.5
B5
3.5
B6
2.5
B7
2.5
New from 199€
Used recommended
smartphoneAndroidentryCold water condensation risk
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
2025
2.4/5
Best value for money in this range.
B1
2.5
B2
1.8
B3
2.0
B4
2.5
B5
3.5
B6
2.5
B7
3.0
New from 349€
Frequently asked questions
How to choose a smartphone for underwater photography?
The key factors are the sensor (size and aperture), RAW capability, and availability of a dedicated housing. Our B1-B7 score synthesizes these criteria into a single figure.
Is it better to buy new or used for diving?
If the phone is used exclusively for diving, second-hand is often sufficient. Devices marked Used-recommended offer the best performance/price ratio on the secondary market.