DIVEVOLK Shocker: You Won't Believe What Happened at the First-Ever Event They Sponsored!

In a landmark moment for underwater photography, the inaugural Smartphone category of the Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) 2026 has been won by Chinese photographer Jack Ho. His award-winning image, titled "The Roar," features a hairy frogfish captured using a vivo X100 Ultra smartphone housed in the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum V2. The announcement was made during a ceremony in London on March 24, 2026, where DIVEVOLK served as the exclusive sponsor of this new category, demonstrating the increasing legitimacy of smartphone photography in a field traditionally dominated by professional cameras.

Jack Ho's photograph was taken in the Lembeh Strait of Indonesia, renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique diving conditions. At a depth of 15 meters, Ho observed the camouflaged frogfish for 15 minutes before capturing the decisive moment when the creature opened its mouth in a dramatic yawn. The resulting portrait showcases remarkable clarity, with every detail of the fish's hair-like dermal appendages vividly rendered against a stark black backdrop.

"The focus, the image quality, the composition, the light and the moment are just perfect! Very well done by the photographer and an impressive showcase of the potential of the smartphone category,"

said Tobias Friedrich, one of the UPY judges and a renowned underwater photographer.

Ho's victory comes at a time when the competition is evolving to include more accessible technologies. The 2026 edition of UPY drew a record 7,934 entries from 700+ photographers across 74 countries, with 78 smartphone photographers entering the inaugural Smartphone category. This strong participation indicates a growing interest in smartphone underwater photography among divers and photographers alike.

In addition to Ho's gold award, the competition also recognized Spanish photographer Clotxa, who took second place with "The Curious Gaze of Grey Shark," a striking image of a grey reef shark shot during a drift dive in Fakarava, French Polynesia. Clotxa relied on spontaneity, utilizing the SeaTouch 4 Max Plus underwater housing with an iPhone 14 Pro to capture the image amid strong currents and numerous sharks.

Third place was awarded to UK marine biologist Martin Stevens for his split-shot image "Intertidal World," which featured a snakelocks anemone surrounded by kelp and seaweed on the rocky shores of Cornwall. Stevens employed a dome port attachment for his smartphone housing, exemplifying how modular accessories can enhance the creative potential for underwater photography.

A Shift in Underwater Imaging

The introduction of the Smartphone category marks a pivotal moment in the UPY's long history, which dates back to its inception in 1965. The competition has evolved significantly over the last six decades, transitioning from its original format to now embrace smartphone technology as a legitimate art form. The organizers are responding to a global appetite for accessible underwater imaging tools, and this first installment of the smartphone category exceeded expectations.

The technology behind Ho's success, the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum V2, is designed specifically for serious underwater photography. It boasts a depth rating of 60 meters (197 feet) and allows full touchscreen control of the smartphone's camera interface. This housing is compatible with various flagship smartphones and offers a modular accessory system for macro and wide-angle lenses, among other tools. Its compact design allows for easier handling underwater, making it an attractive option for both amateur and experienced photographers.

Modern smartphones come equipped with advanced computational photography features such as AI-driven noise reduction and HDR stacking, enabling them to rival dedicated cameras in certain situations. When paired with specialized housings like the SeaTouch, these devices open the door for more divers to engage in underwater photography, broadening the scope of the field.

DIVEVOLK, founded in Zhuhai, China, has positioned itself as a leader in smartphone underwater housings. Its flagship products aim to deliver professional-grade underwater photography capabilities without the traditional complexity or costs associated with conventional camera systems. The company has received accolades, including ScubaLab's Best Buy in 2024 and the Dive Award of Innovation in both 2024 and 2026.

The success of the Smartphone category in UPY 2026 illustrates a significant trend in underwater photography that embraces innovation and accessibility. As technology continues to evolve, the barrier to entry for budding underwater photographers is lowering, making it possible for more enthusiasts to capture the beauty of the underwater world.