Recognizing the rapidly advancing capabilities and popularity of smartphone underwater imaging, DIVEVOLK is proud to partner with the prestigious Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY) competition, a representative of underwater photography with profound significance. DIVEVOLK is honored to be the official title sponsor for UPY's brand-new Mobile Phone category for its 2026 contest. Furthermore, DIVEVOLK also sponsored housings for the winning photographers in the UPY2025 competition. This collaboration underscores the exciting developments in underwater mobile imaging.
Often regarded as the "Oscars" of the underwater imaging world, the Underwater Photographer of the Year competition attracts entries from talented photographers across the globe, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and diversity of the marine environment. The introduction of the DIVEVOLK Mobile Phone category, featuring its full touchscreen smartphone housing technology, marks a significant step in acknowledging the accessibility and high quality achievable with modern smartphones.
The rules for the inaugural UPY2026 DIVEVOLK Mobile Phone Category are designed for broad participation:
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Eligibility: Open to all photographers.
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Equipment: Any housing (including DIVEVOLK models like the SeaTouch 4 Max, other brands, or even no housing for shallow shots) may be used, but the image must be captured on a mobile phone camera.
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Image Type: Must be taken underwater; split-level (over/under) shots are permitted.
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Entry Fee: Free to enter for the UPY2026 competition year.
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Limit: Up to 5 images per entrant for this category in UPY2026.
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Judging: RAW files are not required. However, EXIF data will be checked, and shortlisted photographers must provide their high-resolution original JPG or HEIC file for verification.
DIVEVOLK, known for its patented SeaTouch technology allowing full touchscreen access underwater, sees this sponsorship as a natural fit. The DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max housing enables full touchscreen functionality underwater, including photo and video focusing, adjustment of shooting parameters, and unrestricted use of third-party apps via the full touchscreen. When paired with a smartphone, DIVEVOLK maximizes photographic performance and unleashes the creative potential of users.
Louis Chen from DIVEVOLK's Marketing & Sales Department explains the enthusiasm: "DIVEVOLK has always been dedicated to providing divers with innovative products, making underwater photography, safety, and entertainment more convenient and enjoyable. The advancement of smartphone photography systems has made capturing images increasingly easy and accessible, turning smartphones into everyday photographic tools for everyone. However, underwater photography has long been seen as a high-threshold activity by divers. UPY is widely recognized in the industry as the most influential and far-reaching representative of underwater photography competitions. By introducing a smartphone category, UPY lowers the entry barrier, allowing underwater smartphone photographers from around the world to submit their work for the selection of top-quality pieces. This not only highlights the potential of smartphone photography to divers but also makes underwater photography more accessible. It encourages more people to create and share underwater imagery, helping to spread awareness and understanding of the ocean and diving."
The UPY judging panel shares this excitement for the new category and partnership. Peter Rowlands, UPY judge, commented: "Ever since shooting panoramas became available I personally have been a fan of the cameras in mobile phones. I think this technique creates unique images, especially in limited visibility, and add to that the high quality still images and 4k video footage possible from a very a small package and I find this hugely appealing. As a result I am delighted that DIVEVOLK are sponsoring this new category in 2026; their housings are game changing and they enable the full potential of these cameras to be achieved so I am really looking forward to seeing the images in this category in 2026."
Cash prizes will be awarded for the top three placements in the DIVEVOLK Mobile Phone Category:
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Winner: £500 GBP
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Runner Up: £300 GBP
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Third Place: £200 GBP
Other commended photographers in the category will receive points contributing towards the overall competition prize pool.
Entries for UPY2026, including the new DIVEVOLK Mobile Phone category, are expected to open later this year. Prospective entrants should monitor the official Underwater Photographer of the Year website for submission dates and full details. We urge everyone to pay close attention to these two websites, with submissions opening in September 2025.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year (UPY):
The Underwater Photographer of the Year competition is an annual event celebrating the art of underwater photography. Based in the UK, it attracts entries from around the world across various categories and is judged by a panel of leading underwater photographers. Its accolades are highly respected within the diving and photography communities.
About DIVEVOLK:
Years ago, an unexpected opportunity allowed the founders of DIVEVOLK to experience the vibrant underwater world, sparking a quest for the most convenient way to capture and share its beauty. Realizing that while nearly everyone carried a smartphone, its use underwater was severely limited, DIVEVOLK was founded with a mission to develop an unprecedented underwater touchscreen smartphone housing. This innovation empowers people to effortlessly showcase the wonders beneath the waves. The company's introduction of underwater touchscreen technology has unlocked the potential for powerful smartphone operating systems to be used for underwater photography, entertainment, communication, and research, presenting endless possibilities. Building on this core technology, DIVEVOLK further developed the SeaLink underwater smartphone data transmission system. This system aims to enable smartphones to connect to the internet even in deep water, simplifying underwater communication and live streaming, making these capabilities more accessible to everyone. These advancements by DIVEVOLK have significantly reshaped how people dive. Driven by a deep love for the ocean, the company continues to forge new paths in exploration and innovation.
Learn more about DIVEVOLK's sponsorship role at UPY: [https://underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com/awards-and-prizes/divevolk] and visit the main site: [https://www.divevolkdiving.com/].
Media Contact
Company Name: DIVEVOLK Intelligence Tech Co,.Ltd.
Contact Person: Louis Chen
Email: Send Email
Country: China
Website: www.divevolkdiving.com
