Joby SeaPal Waterproof Phone Case review

As a regular Digital Camera World reviewer I’ve been impressed (and sometimes surprised) by the wide range of gadgets and devices that Joby produces, from podcasting microphones such as the Joby Wavo POD - to more unusual devices such as a motion-controlled 360º smartphone tripod. 

I’ve reviewed smartphone grips before but nothing as eye-catching and specialist as the Joby SeaPal. This is a waterproof smartphone grip that enables you to film or take photos underwater while keeping your expensive smartphone safe from being water-damaged or lost at sea! 

According to Apple, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can film at a depth of up to 18 meters for 30 minutes, which makes it water resistant (but not waterproof due to the time limit). Given the cost of an iPhone, most of us wouldn’t want to put Apple’s water resistance claim to the test, plus a beach environment also increases the risk of your iPhone (or any smartphone) being damaged by sand and smeared in suntan lotion.

The Joby SeaPal should allow you to film up to 10 meters without a time limit and it is waterproof rather than water resistant. So Joby SeaPal, you have my attention. But how do you perform and are you worth your relatively expensive price tag? And how does it compare to some of the other best underwater camera housings in our guide?

Joby SeaPal: Specifications

Joby SeaPal: Design & Handling

Given that Joby produces a wide range of photography and videography gadgets you might wonder if they have the experience to produce a specialist underwater case. Fortunately, they’ve joined forces with AquaTech - a company who have been making water housings for professional underwater photographers for 20 years. Despite being the result of a collaboration the SeaPal bears the distinctive branded look of all Joby products thanks to its bright orange grip.

The JOBY SeaPal Waterproof Case takes a little while to set up for the first time (around 15 minutes), but then it’s ready to use instantly in future shoots. It ships with a collection of rubber mounts that you need to clip into the body of the case to fit your particular iPhone or smartphone model. A downloadable manual gives you a clear diagram of which rubber mounts should be inserted and where to place them. After an initial waterproofing test in a bucket or sink you can pop your iPhone into the case and rotate a large plastic button to seal it in. Make sure that the knob makes a click to ensure that the case is fully sealed.

The front of the case has a large glass port for your smartphone’s lenses to shoot through (though at an ultra-wide angle, you may catch the edge of the case in shot, but this isn’t unusual with many grips and cages). This SeaPal glass is superior to cheaper third-party plastic cases that may be more prone to fogging up. The glass is also scratch resistant so your shots and clips should look crystal clear. 

On the rear of the case is a plastic membrane. This is thin enough for you to interact with your iPhone’s screen while filming underwater, so you can swipe in the Camera app to change shooting modes or trigger a recording. As this plastic membrane has to be thin enough for you to use your phone’s touch screen I was concerned that it could be damaged by a sharp object such as a plastic spade in your seaside bag. 

However, as a sensible photographer, you’ll carry it in a dedicated camera bag like I did on my test shoot. I used a Shimoda Urban Explore (review coming very soon) that had adjustable padded storage sections to protect the SeaPal’s vulnerable membrane from contact with other devices.

Joby SeaPal: Performance

I didn’t have the budget for a trip to a tropical ocean so to test the SeaPal I took it down to my local park. The park has a river running through it and I’ve often seen fish swimming in it, so this was the perfect opportunity to try and film them. I attached the JOBY Bluetooth Shutter Grip (sold separately) so I could trigger video recordings with the press of a physical button, rather than tapping the phone’s touchscreen through the SeaPal’s plastic membrane. I also attached another separately sold accessory - the 6-inch plastic Dome Port to the front of the case.

The SeaPal has a couple of screw threads on the top where you can attach accessories such as flexible Joby GorillaPod arms sporting Joby Beamo LED lights. This could be handy when illuminating the murky depths. I attached a third-party selfie stick to one of these screw mounts. The stick was perfect for lowering the SeaPal into the river and making it pan my iPhone in search of fish to film. 

Initially, I filmed with the dome accessory attached. The dome pushes the horizon of the water back a few inches so you get a more defined line between above and below the water’s surface. However, when you lift the casing out of the water droplets tend to stick to the dome’s acrylic surface and obscure the view. When I removed the dome the water cleared much more quickly from the SeaPal’s glass surface, so I can’t recommend the dome as a ‘must have’ accessory - though it does make your rig look like one of the mini-submarines from the movie ‘The Abyss’!

The footage captured by my SeaPal-mounted iPhone was relatively clear in the foreground but due to particles in the water visibility dropped off rapidly. Sadly I couldn’t capture any fish in the murky lake - see supporting video. 

I was able to trigger the camera to record by pressing through the rubber membrane. However, as a metal clamp on the rear partially obscured part of the iPhone’s screen it was a bit of a fiddle to playback my clips. Occasionally bubbles would rise up around the SeaPal but these were produced when it disturbed the mud at the bottom of the river, rather than being indications of a leak. After 30 minutes of failing to film a fish I was happy to see that my iPhone was bone dry, and I can’t wait to try the SeaPal out when I eventually hit the beach.

Joby SeaPal: Verdict

If you want to film the antics of your friends and family as they make a splash on a beach holiday then the JobySea Pal is a ‘must have’. Divers and snorkelers will also enjoy capturing footage and shots of beautifully colorful shoals of fish with their smartphones mounted in this rig. I’d recommend buying the additional JOBY Bluetooth Shutter Grip as this makes it easier to hold onto the case and trigger your Camera app’s shutter, though I’d save your cash when it comes to considering the 6-inch Dome. 

Alternatives

JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch
The Joby SeaPal is expensive, so if you’re on a tight budget then this cheap but effective waterproof pouch is worth a punt. It’s not as robust as the SeaPal and it’s harder to interact with your phone’s touchscreen, but it should still enable you to capture some clear shots from up to 30 meters in depth. 

Aquatech AxisGo
Aquatech collaborated with Joby to design the SeaPal, but they also produced their own underwater iPhone housing. Like the SeaPal the AxisGo is waterproof up to 10 meters. You can access the phone’s touchscreen through the case’s transparent screen or purchase a Bluetooth pistol grip for a tighter hold.