Huawei has officially launched the XMAGE Awards 2025, one of the world’s largest and most influential mobile photography competitions, during the unveiling of its new flagship smartphone series, the HUAWEI Pura 80. The competition continues to serve as a global platform for mobile photography enthusiasts and professionals to showcase visual storytelling through cutting-edge Huawei imaging technology.
Now in its eighth year, the XMAGE Awards has attracted nearly five million submissions from over 170 countries and regions since its inception in 2017. The annual contest underscores Huawei’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of mobile photography through innovation in telephoto, macro, night, portrait, and video capabilities, particularly with the latest advancements introduced in the Pura 80 series.
Expanded Categories and New Recognition Format in 2025
The XMAGE Awards 2025 introduces new categories that reflect the evolving creative potential of mobile imaging. This year’s competition includes:
- So Far So Close
- Good Night
- Colour & Shade
- Faces
- A Heartwarming World
- Experimental Lab
- Storyboard
- Action
In a major update to the competition format, the judging panel will shortlist 1,000 outstanding works, from which a curated group called the XMAGE 100 will receive special recognition. In addition, three entries will be named Photographers of the Year, adding further prestige to the awards.
International Jury of Renowned Visual Experts
The 2025 edition features a distinguished panel of nine international judges, representing a cross-section of photojournalism, academia, visual arts, and photography curation. The jury includes:
- Liu Heung Shing – Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist
- Chen Xiaobo – Editor and imaging researcher at Xinhua News Agency
- Wang Chuan – Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts
- Chen Jie – Documentary photographer
- Nichole Fernandez – Visual sociologist
- Florence Bourgeois – Director of Paris Photo
- Shoair Mavlian – Director of The Photographers’ Gallery
- Fannie Escoulen – Visual arts curator
- Li Changzhu – Chief Strategy Officer, Huawei Health Team
Their combined expertise ensures a balanced, globally informed perspective on mobile photography trends and visual storytelling techniques.
Global Call for Submissions Now Open
Submissions for the Huawei XMAGE Awards 2025 are open until September 15, 2025, at 12:00 am Beijing time (GMT +8). Participants can register and upload their work through official channels including the My HUAWEI app, Huawei Community, and Instagram.
Huawei continues to use its technology platforms to foster creativity and engage with a global community of image-makers. As the XMAGE Awards evolve, the competition stands as a reflection of how mobile devices have transformed photography from a niche art to a mainstream medium for global expression.
For more information on how to participate or view past winning works, visit the official Huawei XMAGE Awards page.
