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Underwater cases for the Xiaomi Yi camera is a hard topic currently as there are many different models available. There is one original case by Xiaomi which was updated to a 2nd generation model, the other ones are from 3rd party retailers:

 

Video Review:

 

The Cases

This is a list of the available underwater cases for the Xiaomi Yi camera:

 

The Original Case

Xiaomi recently released a new version of the underwater case. The first edition seemed to have issues with the buttons as the break easily (I didn’t encounter this problem though).

New vs Old Original Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case

New vs Old Original Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case

Both have a white cap the 1st version had white plastic buttons, the new one shows aluminium buttons!
The cap covers the whole top section with a hole for the button.
“Yi See Different” is written on the cap.
It is 40m waterproof with protection class IP68.
A GoPro mount adapter with a 1/4″ thread is included.
The case comes in a box which looks like the one from the camera.

Prices:

 

Reviews:

Video Review Old vs New case:

 

New version:

el Producente (bought at Banggood)

New 2nd generation Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case

New 2nd generation Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case

The new original case seems great (like the first version) now the buttons are improved and are made of aluminium, so they won’t break. It has a very good locking mechanism and there isn’t the slightest gap between case and door. Vignetting is also no problem with the new version of the case:

Vignetting in Photo and Video Mode - Lens Rectification turned off and on

Vignetting in Photo and Video Mode – Lens Rectification turned off and on

Please note that my camera’s lens is a little shifted to the right showing vignetting in a photo with lens rectification turned off!

 

Old version:

el Producente (bought at this aliexpress reseller)

First Generation Original Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case

First Generation Original Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case

The original case seems to be the best one out there. It has the best cap design and locking mechanism of the cases I tested. Quality seems to be very good, no button issues on the one I tested. Vignetting is also no big deal with this case:

Vignetting test in Photo and Video mode - Lens Rectification turned off and on

Vignetting test in Photo and Video mode – Lens Rectification turned off and on

 

Matthias (bought from this aliexpress reseller):

“ -good quality
-case covers yi-cam perfectly
-the buttons are comfortably to press (not so hard as the buttons of the sjcam case)
-well designed (I don’t like the green of kingma case)
-the closing mechanism (made of plastic) does its job well “

Original Xiaomi Yi Underwatercase from Matthias

Original Xiaomi Yi Underwatercase from Matthias

 

Rome (bought in China):

Even though there is a very little vignette in the lower corner, Rome says this is the best of the cases in terms of image quality he tested.

Original Underwater Case from Rome (lens rectification turned off)

Original Underwater Case from Rome (lens rectification turned off)

 

The 60m case

This is the only model which is 60m waterproof!

60m underwater case

60m underwater case

It has a black cap, similar to the GoPro cases.
The rubber sealing is colored red.

Prices:

 

Review:

elProducente (bought at this aliexpress reseller):

The quality of the case seems to be very good. There is not the slightest gap between case and door. The cap gets loose if you don’t watch out when opening, but when it is hooked in, it is very tight. Only very little vignetting:

Vignetting test 60m case - Lens rectification turned off and on

Vignetting test 60m case – Lens rectification turned off and on

 

Rome: (bought in China)

60m case from Rome (lens rectification turned off)

60m case from Rome (lens rectification turned off)

 

Matthias: (bought at aliexpress)

“ +NO vignetting
+good quality plastic
+buttons are very soft to press (more soft than the original xiaomi yi underwatercase)
-The wifi-button is not fitted at the same height position than the other ones (but it makes no difference in usage)
-The closing buckle gets off very easy from the case (only in open position)
In my opinion the best case is the original one from xiaomi. If I would buy again, I would recommend the original. On second position I would choose the 60m underwater case.”

60m Underwater Case from Matthias

60m Underwater Case from Matthias

 

The “pre-order” case

Most of us first saw this picture of an underwater case for the Xiaomi Yi camera:

"Pre-Order" case - first picture available

“Pre-Order” case – first picture available

 

I got a notice after ordering that the model has changed and now looks like this:

Production model of the "pre-order" underwater case

Production model of the “pre-order” underwater case

A little later I got a confirmation Mail that this model is from “another manufacturer” ant not from Xiaomi.
It has a cyan cap and silver buttons. The cap covers the whole top section with a hole for the button (similar to the original one).
A GoPro quickconnector is included.

Prices:

 

Reviews:

el Producente (bought at Banggood):

"Pre-Order" Underwater Case

“Pre-Order” Underwater Case

The camera fits well into the case and it is very hard to get it out again. The cap easily detaches from the metal bar which is annoying. I noticed that it is sealed, but there is a larger gap on one side of the case, which could or should be tighter (last photo).
The vignetting is pretty bad when doing photos without lens rectification in 4:3. It is stronger on the right side of the picture. I noticed that the lens on my camera is not centered in the housing, it’s a little more to the left when looking at the camera. I tried using a white wall to make vignetting visible:

Vignetting test of the "pre-order" case - Lens rectification turned off and on

Vignetting test of the “pre-order” case – Lens rectification turned off and on

 

Rome (bought in China):

Test picture from Rome's "pre-order" case when lens rectification is turned off

Test picture from Rome’s “pre-order” case when lens rectification is turned off

 

Lukas (ordered at Banggood):

Test picture from Lukas - "pre-order" case & lens rectification turned off

Test picture from Lukas – “pre-order” case & lens rectification turned off

 

 

The KingMa case (+lookalike)

There is a noticeable difference as the lens housing is not round.

Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case from KingMa

Xiaomi Yi Underwater Case from KingMa

This case is from Kingma, same company the first available battery for Xiaomi Yi camera is from. It is also 40m waterproof.
It is available with a green, white or black cap.
There is no hole for the trigger button, the part of the cap is hollow.
There might be some lookalikes as there are some pictures without the KingMa logo on top of the cap.

Prices:

 

Reviews:

Rome (bought in China):

KingMa Lookalike case from Rome

KingMa Lookalike case from Rome

Here is a picture of the cases he tested. The one I referring to is no 2 from the left. No logo on top.

KingMa lookalike (2nd from left) with no logo printed on cap

KingMa lookalike (2nd from left) with no logo printed on cap

 

Simon (bought at aliexpress)

KingMa case from Simon (Lens rectification turned off)

KingMa case from Simon (Lens rectification turned off)

Simon's KingMa case with Logo printed on cap

Simon’s KingMa case with Logo printed on cap

 

The “rounded” case

I refer to as “rounded model” as the cap is rounded towards the front.

"Rounded Case" because of the rounded cap towards front and back

“Rounded Case” because of the rounded cap towards front and back

This one is like all the others 40m waterproof.

The cap covers the whole top of the case with a hole for the trigger button. It seems very round on front and back.
It is available in black, green and white; sometimes the lens housing is in the same color as the cap:

The "Rounded Cap" model is available in different colors

The “Rounded Cap” model is available in different colors

Prices:

 

Reviews:

I don’t have any reviews so far. I’ll keep you updated…

 

 

Conclusion

This is a very challenging topic where the information changes almost daily. I’ll try my best to collect as much information as possible and keep updating this site constantly.

My favorite is the original case: very good quality and no vignetting.
2nd place for the 60m case. Also very good quality and no vignetting. On the downside, the cap may get loose, but thats not a big deal. A big plus that it is 60m water proof.
The “pre-order” model has some issues: the cap gets loose easily and the is very bothersome. The quality is also pretty poor as there is a gap between case and door, which is covered by the sealing. I dindn’t have a problem when using under water, but it doesn’t look that trustworthy. Vignetting is pretty bad.
I haven’t tested the KingMa Case myself. On the photos you can see vignetting worse than with the original or 60m model.
I also haven’t tested the “rounded” model and have no test results. The lens housing seems to be tight. I curious how vignetting looks like.

If you have any review info or pictures, please send them!

Remark: The prices shown in the comparison are the cheapest ones, as this was a request by users to show the lowest price. The links next to the review refer to the seller where they were bought by me and users. There still could be a change in production or stock to the model you order.

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