How Xiaomi Filmed Their Ocean Day 2022 Coral Restoration Entirely Underwater Using a Xiaomi 12 Pro and DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max

World Oceans Day (June 8th) often inspires incredible initiatives focused on protecting our blue planet. Back in 2022, we saw a fantastic example of corporate social responsibility combined with technological ambition when renowned mobile device brand Xiaomi undertook a vital coral restoration project along parts of the Chinese coast.

Beyond the crucial conservation work itself, the Xiaomi team set a unique challenge: to document the entire process, including complex underwater sequences, using only smartphones. This required not only advanced planning but also finding the right tools to reliably capture high-quality footage beneath the waves. DIVEVOLK was thrilled to be part of their solution!

Ocean Day 2022 saw various environmental actions, including vital coral restoration work.

The Mission: Nurturing Coral, Restoring Ecosystems

Xiaomi's Ocean Day 2022 project focused on the meticulous work of coral restoration. Healthy coral reefs are fundamental to marine biodiversity, acting as nurseries for fish and protecting coastlines. Recognizing their threatened status, the Xiaomi team embarked on a project to:

• Collect naturally broken but healthy coral fragments from the ocean.
• Carefully fix these fragments onto designated underwater structures or 'nurseries' in specific coastal zones.
• Monitor their growth, aiming to bolster local reef health and create thriving habitats where small creatures and fish can flourish, kickstarting the ecosystem.

Organizing such an initiative requires significant effort, including thorough planning, coordination with local authorities for permissions, and, of course, documenting the process to raise awareness.

Xiaomi's Ocean Day initiative involved actively growing coral fragments.

The Challenge: High-Stakes Underwater Filming with Smartphones

Documenting conservation work effectively often involves underwater filming, which presents unique challenges – variable lighting, water clarity issues, and the need for reliable equipment. Xiaomi's decision to rely *entirely* on their flagship smartphone at the time, the powerful Xiaomi 12 Pro, added another layer of complexity.

They needed an underwater housing that could not only protect the phone but also allow their filming team to fully utilize the Xiaomi 12 Pro's advanced triple-lens camera system and manual controls to capture professional-grade footage.

The Solution: Why DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Was Chosen

After evaluating options, the Xiaomi team selected the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max. Here's why it was the perfect fit for this demanding project:

• Unrestricted Full Touchscreen Control: This was paramount. Unlike button-limited housings that often only access basic camera functions or require specific apps, the SeaTouch 4 Max's patented touchscreen technology allowed the Xiaomi team to use their phone's native camera app (or any app) *fully*. They could effortlessly switch between the Xiaomi 12 Pro's impressive 50MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, tap to focus precisely, and adjust manual settings on the fly – essential for capturing diverse shots in changing underwater conditions.
• Reliability and Protection: Protecting a flagship smartphone during fieldwork in the ocean is non-negotiable. The SeaTouch 4 Max's robust build and reliable waterproofing (rated deeper than standard recreational limits) provided the necessary peace of mind.
• Versatility Beyond One Phone: While perfect for the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the team likely appreciated that the SeaTouch 4 Max, with simple internal adapter changes, could also house other devices like iPhones (making it an iPhone diving housing) or Samsung models (a Samsung diving housing), offering flexibility for future projects or different team members. It could even fit an iPhone 13 Pro Max at the time.

The DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max provided full touchscreen access for the Xiaomi 12 Pro.

Filming Success & Inspiring Action

Equipped with the Xiaomi 12 Pro safely housed in the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max, the filming team successfully documented the entire coral restoration process, capturing both the intricate details of the work and the beauty of the surrounding marine environment.

The Xiaomi Team using the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max housing with a Xiaomi 12 Pro to film their Ocean Day 2022 activity.

The resulting film (check out highlights below!) served not only as a record of their efforts but also as a powerful tool to raise public awareness about the importance of ocean protection and coral restoration.

Video highlights from Xiaomi's Ocean Day 2022 Coral Restoration Project.

This project perfectly illustrates how modern smartphones, when paired with innovative tools like the SeaTouch 4 Max, can become powerful instruments for conservation storytelling.

Your Phone, Your Story, Our Shared Ocean

Xiaomi's initiative is a fantastic example of leveraging technology for environmental good. At DIVEVOLK, we are proud that our technology could play a role in helping them capture and share such an important story. It reinforces our belief that enabling people to easily document the underwater world fosters a deeper connection and a stronger desire to protect it.

Whether you're filming conservation work, capturing memories from a recreational dive, or conducting underwater research, the ability to fully utilize your smartphone safely and intuitively opens up incredible possibilities.