OPPO has revealed the global winners of the 2025 OPPO Photography Awards, marking the largest edition of the annual competition since its launch. The awards, now in their third year, continue to position mobile photography as a serious creative medium, capable of capturing cultural nuance, human emotion, and everyday life through accessible technology.
The 2025 edition attracted nearly two million submissions from creators across 87 countries, underscoring the growing global interest in mobile-first visual storytelling. Winning works were unveiled at the global finale held in Cairo, Egypt, on 18 December, bringing together photographers, judges, and industry representatives from around the world. The scale and diversity of entries reflected OPPO’s ambition to build an inclusive platform for creative expression, regardless of geography or professional background.
Speaking on the role of mobile photography in today’s creative landscape, Ling Liu, OPPO Overseas Chief Marketing Officer, said that the medium has evolved beyond simple documentation. “Mobile photography is more than a tool—it has become a global stage for creative voices,” Liu said. “Through the OPPO Photography Awards, we aim to support creators, let their perspectives be seen worldwide, and inspire audiences to discover the extraordinary in everyday life—the true essence of ‘Super Every Moment.’”
Award-winning works highlight cultural memory and human stories
At the centre of this year’s awards were the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, selected from a highly competitive field for their narrative depth, emotional impact, and visual discipline. In total, 10 photographers received top honours, each demonstrating how mobile photography can address complex themes with clarity and restraint.
The Gold Award was presented to boooya for the project “Dialect – The Fading Voice.” The series explores the gradual disappearance of dialect culture, translating an auditory and linguistic issue into a visual narrative. Through images of traditional opera performances and intergenerational interactions, the work documents the fragile state of local dialects and the widening cultural gap between younger and older communities. Judges praised the project for its conceptual strength and social relevance, noting its ability to frame cultural loss in a way that feels immediate and personal. The Gold Award includes a cash prize of US$25,000, along with OPPO’s latest flagship devices to support future creative work.
Silver Awards were given to three photographers, including Ray Cheung from China for “Person from Another Place,” captured using the OPPO Find X8 Ultra. The image portrays a young girl seated on a bus, her distant gaze set against a winter backdrop. The judges highlighted the photograph’s quiet restraint and emotional clarity, describing it as an example of how simplicity can amplify meaning. One juror, Tina Signesdottir Hult, described the image as “art,” citing its balanced tones and ability to convey emotion without visual distraction.
The six Bronze Awards further broadened the cultural scope of the competition. Among them was Abdullah Salah’s “Timeless Framing,” shot on the OPPO Reno14 5G, which documents the El Mermah equestrian tradition in Egypt. The photograph freezes a moment of speed and intensity, capturing both the physical dynamism and historical significance of the centuries-old practice. Collectively, the Bronze-winning works reflected a wide range of cultural settings and personal perspectives, reinforcing the idea that mobile photography can operate across genres and traditions.
Reflecting on the overall quality of submissions, one judge commented on the technical and emotional control displayed by participants. “I’m impressed by all photographers’ remarkable control over the frame and rich spectrum of emotions their works evoked,” the judge said. “It is a pure delight to experience all the entries, and almost hard to believe they were captured with a mobile phone camera.”
Expanded categories showcase global creativity and everyday moments
Beyond the top-tier awards, the 2025 OPPO Photography Awards expanded its recognition framework to spotlight a wider range of creative voices. This year, 60 photographers were honoured across Category Awards, alongside newly introduced Honorable Mention, Audience’s Choice, and Regional Awards. The expanded structure reflects OPPO’s intent to move beyond a narrow definition of excellence and acknowledge diverse forms of visual storytelling.
The Category Awards covered themes ranging from fleeting visual moments to deeper human connections. Winning entries included “Metro Moment” by Karla Pitalúa Rendón from Mexico, captured using the OPPO Find X8 Pro, and “The girl with golden kite” by Kyaw Thu from Myanmar, shot on the OPPO Find X8 Ultra. These images focus on ordinary scenes, transformed through timing, composition, and perspective into moments of quiet significance.
Regional Awards further highlighted the importance of local context in visual storytelling. In India, Rohit271299 received recognition for “Windows of Innocence,” photographed on the OPPO Find X7 Ultra, while the Latin America Regional Award went to Alex Duvier from Brazil for “Harvest. Family at Work.” The latter captures a family during coffee harvest season, offering an intimate glimpse into shared labour and daily life. Other recognised works depicted children at play, couples navigating urban spaces, and families engaged in traditional livelihoods, reinforcing the universality of everyday experiences.
OPPO framed these diverse perspectives as evidence that mobile photography functions as a shared visual language. The company pointed to its LUMO Image Engine as a key enabler, designed to deliver more natural rendering of light, depth, and detail. By focusing on intuitive image processing, OPPO aims to help creators capture scenes that feel true to life, without over-reliance on heavy post-processing or technical intervention.
As the OPPO Photography Awards continue to grow, the competition is positioning itself as more than a showcase of technical capability. Aligned with the 2025 theme “Super Every Moment,” the awards emphasise attentiveness to ordinary life and the creative potential found in familiar settings. With participation numbers increasing year on year, OPPO appears committed to developing the awards into a long-term platform that supports emerging talent while redefining expectations of mobile photography.
