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When the iPhone Photography Awards (IPPAwards) were launched in 2007, smartphone photography was still in its infancy. Nearly two decades later, the competition has become one of the world's longest-running and most respected mobile photography awards, attracting thousands of submissions each year from photographers across the globe. Its winners demonstrate not only how dramatically smartphone cameras have evolved, but also how composition, timing, light, and storytelling continue to matter far more than the equipment used to capture an image.

Below, we've gathered some of this year's winning photographs, showcasing the creativity, technical skill, and visual storytelling that continue to define one of the world's most prestigious smartphone photography competitions.

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#1

Grand Prix "Cayman Islands", Photo By Robyn Jensen (Yepocapa, Chimaltenango)

A dramatic night shot of a volcano erupting, with molten lava flowing down, an iPhone Photography Awards winning photo.

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13points
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The 2026 competition received entries from photographers in more than 140 countries, with images spanning everything from wildlife and landscapes to street photography, portraiture, architecture, and abstract compositions. This year's Grand Prize was awarded to Robyn Jensen of the Cayman Islands for a remarkable photograph of a volcanic eruption in Guatemala, captured on an iPhone 15 Pro. The image stood out for its dramatic composition and the way it transformed a fleeting natural event into a striking visual narrative.

The remaining top honors recognized an equally diverse range of photographic styles. Gellért Gombai received the Gold Award, Arnold Plotnick earned Silver, and Catherine Wang took Bronze, with winning photographs ranging from intimate human moments and documentary-style street scenes to carefully observed still lifes. Together, they highlight the extraordinary versatility of mobile photography and demonstrate that compelling images depend far more on the photographer's eye than on the size of the camera.

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    #2

    Animals, 1st Place, Photo By Peter Crome (United Kingdom)

    Two dogs peeking through curtains in a window, a charming scene from the iPhone Photography Awards winning photos.

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    11points
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    #3

    Nature, 3rd Place, Photo By Paul Kitcatt (United Kingdom)

    A beautiful iPhone photography awards winning photo of a field of red poppies and blue cornflowers under a cloudy sky.

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    9points
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    #4

    Other, 3rd Place, Photo By Gabriela Alvelo (Venezuela)

    Dramatic light rays illuminate a dark, abandoned room with a staircase and puddles, an extraordinary iPhone Photography Awards photo.

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    7points
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    #5

    Landscape, 3rd Place, Photo By Joseph Cyr (United States)

    A vibrant iPhone photography awards winning photo of saguaro cacti and mountains under an orange sunset.

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    6points
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    #6

    Lifestyle, 2nd Place, Photo By Sara Camporesi (Italy)

    An artistic iPhone photography awards winning photo of a person entering a vintage Fotoautomatica booth on a city street.

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    6points
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    #7

    Other, 2nd Place, Photo By Shan Qin (China)

    An empty train car interior with pink seating, white tablecloth, and desert view, a winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    6points
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    #8

    Gold, Photo By Gellért Gombai (Alsóörs, Hungary)

    Black and white photo of children with shadow patterns in iPhone photography awards

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    5points
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    #9

    Architecture, 3rd Place, Photo By Preethy Ganesan (United States)

    The grand white domes of a mosque framed by an archway, an extraordinary winning iPhone Photography Award photo.

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    5points
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    #10

    Nature, 1st Place, Photo By Tianjiao Zhang (China)

    A leafless tree stands in a misty, ethereal landscape over water, a winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    5points
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    #11

    Lifestyle, 3rd Place, Photo By Shuo Chen (China)

    An aerial view iPhone photography awards winning photo of numerous dog groomers at work during a competition.

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    5points
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    #12

    Silver, Photo By Arnold Plotnick (Amsterdam, North Holland)

    Black cat blending into a black and white background in iPhone photography awards

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    4points
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    #13

    Children, 2nd Place, Photo By Justas Petkevicius (Lithuania)

    A small child in a trench coat holding pink cotton candy, obscuring their face, a winning iPhone Photography Awards photo.

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    4points
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    #14

    Abstract, 1st Place, Photo By Barry Mayes (United Kingdom)

    Close-up of frost patterns on a car windshield in iPhone photography awards

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    3points
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    #15

    Architecture, 1st Place, Photo By Ziwen Chen (China)

    An aerial view of a winding, illuminated walkway through dark woods, featured in the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    3points
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    #16

    Animals, 3rd Place, Photo By Boyu Wen (China)

    A flock of vibrant pink flamingos in water, an extraordinary winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    3points
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    #17

    People, 1st Place, Photo By Jenny Dang (United States)

    Black and white iPhone Photography Award winning photo of a person stepping into a puddle, creating splashes.

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    3points
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    #18

    Landscape, 2nd Place, Photo By Stewart Manning (Australia)

    A stark black and white iPhone photography awards winning photo of a rugged mountain peak with a full moon.

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    3points
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    #19

    Bronze, Photo By Catherine Wang (Oakton, Virginia)

    Still life of watermelons and a parrot in iPhone photography awards

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    2points
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    #20

    Abstract, 3rd Place, Photo By Jo Borzsony (United Kingdom)

    Sunlight creates rectangular shadows on a cracked, patterned yellow wall, an extraordinary winning iPhone photo.

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    2points
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    #21

    Children, 1st Place, Photo By Krystal Rountree (United States)

    A young girl joyfully runs on a beach with a bucket, a black and white image from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    2points
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    #22

    Lifestyle, 1st Place, Photo By Bertram Greenhough (United Kingdom)

    A lifeguard on duty under a red and yellow umbrella, part of the iPhone Photography Awards winning photos.

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    2points
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    #23

    Children, 3rd Place, Photo By Thea Mihu (German)

    A high-angle shot captures numerous children wearing purple headscarves, part of the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    2points
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    #24

    Other, 1st Place, Photo By Deniss Aksjonovs (Denmark)

    Black and white iPhone Photography Award winning photo of a person showering outdoors on a beach at sunset.

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    2points
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    #25

    Portrait, 1st Place, Photo By Brice Picard (France)

    Black and white iPhone Photography Award winning photo of a person in a gas mask surrounded by smoke.

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    2points
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    #26

    Nature, 2nd Place, Photo By Li Yang (China)

    A black and white image of lily pads in water, some standing upright, an extraordinary winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    2points
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    #27

    Portrait, 3rd Place, Photo By Alexey Lazarenko (Russia)

    An elderly man wearing a face mask sits in front of a wall of clocks, an extraordinary winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    2points
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    #28

    Abstract, 2nd Place, Photo By Leland Smith (United States)

    An abstract close-up of vibrant red and yellow shapes, an extraordinary winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    #29

    Animals, 2nd Place, Photo By Barry Mayes (United Kingdom)

    A black and white close-up of a horse, showcasing an extraordinary winning iPhone Photography Award photo.

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    #30

    Architecture, 2nd Place, Photo By Ellen Kim (United States)

    An adobe building tower against a blue sky, an extraordinary winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    1point
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    #31

    Landscape, 1st Place, Photo By Anthony Ginns (Australia)

    Rolling golden hills with scattered trees under a clear sky, an extraordinary winning iPhone Photography Award photo.

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    1point
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    #32

    Citylife/Cityscape, 2nd Place, Photo By Yue Yu (China)

    iPhone Photography Award winning photo of a person walking along a yellow wall with a blue window.

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    1point
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    #33

    People, 3rd Place, Photo By Ioan Maga (Romania)

    A man and a child in a field of tall grass with an orange paddle, an extraordinary winning photo for the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    1point
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    #34

    Series, 1st Place, Photo By Lasda Takbanuaz (Taiwan)

    A black and white image of several gulls in flight, captured for the iPhone Photography Awards, showcasing extraordinary winning photos.

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    1point
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    #35

    Citylife/Cityscape, 1st Place, Photo By Adrian Beasley (United Kingdom)

    Black and white iPhone Photography Award winning photo of a smokestack polluting the sky with birds flying above.

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    #36

    Citylife/Cityscape, 3rd Place, Photo By Ha Yun Song (South Korea)

    People playing basketball on a wet outdoor court at night, a captivating winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    #37

    People, 2nd Place, Photo By Iryna Nemyrovych (Ukraine)

    A boy on a patterned rug, looking at an elderly woman sitting in a chair, a winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    #38

    Portrait, 2nd Place, Photo By Carlos Rubin (Puerto Rico)

    A woman in a blue swimsuit and orange swim cap with goggles around her neck, an extraordinary winning photo from the iPhone Photography Awards.

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    #39

    Series, 2nd Place, Photo By Liang Kuang (China)

    A triptych of a sunset over traditional Asian architecture with people on a bridge, an extraordinary winning photo for the iPhone Photography Awards.

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