XMAGE Awards 2026

The XMAGE Awards 2026 is challenging you to find out, offering a massive prize pool and a global stage for the world’s best mobile photographers. This prestigious competition, open exclusively to images and videos taken with Huawei phones, is completely free to enter. With a submission deadline of August 16, 2026, now is the time to go through your camera roll and submit the images that tell a powerful story about the world through your eyes.

This is more than just a contest; it’s a celebration of the power of mobile imaging and a leading mobile photography contest. The XMAGE Awards 2026 features nine distinct categories designed to inspire creativity. The grand prize winners will each receive a $10,000 creation fund, with a total of 100 photographers set to receive cash awards. For anyone looking for the best photo challenges this month, this is an unmissable opportunity to compete for life-changing prizes.

What makes this competition a true standout is its accessibility and its high-caliber jury. The free entry removes all barriers, inviting every Huawei user to share their vision. At the same time, the judging panel is packed with industry titans, including Pulitzer-Prize-winning photojournalists and the director of Paris Photo, ensuring that the winning works are truly exceptional. It’s a unique blend of a democratic platform and elite recognition.

The XMAGE Awards 2026 Prizes

The prize pool for this competition is substantial, with 100 winners sharing in a creation fund designed to support their future photographic endeavors.
The prizes are distributed as follows:

• Grand Prize Winners (3): Each of the three top winners will receive a $10,000 XMAGE creation fund and an electronic certificate.
• XMAGE 100 Winners (97): The remaining 97 winners will each receive a $1,500 XMAGE creation fund and an electronic certificate.

The Categories of the XMAGE Awards 2026

The XMAGE Awards 2026 features nine diverse categories designed to encourage a wide range of photographic styles and subjects.
The categories are:

• So Far So Close: For capturing vast, sweeping scenes like landscapes or focusing on subtle details.
• Colour & Shade: For telling stories through the powerful use of color and shadow.
• Good Night: A category dedicated to the art of night photography and discovering the secrets of the dark.
• Active Moments: Move with joy, capture your aliveness.
• Faces: Celebrating the art of the portrait, where every face tells a story.
• A Heartwarming World: For freezing gentle and emotional moments in time.
• Experimental Lab: A space for breaking the rules and creating innovative, experimental visual language.
• Storyboard: For weaving a narrative through a series of 3 to 9 photos.
• Action: For crafting a compelling story in a video of up to 10 minutes.

XMAGE Awards 2026 Dates and Entry Fees

Please take note of the key dates for this XMAGE Awards. Participation is entirely free of charge.

There is no entry fee to participate in this competition. The organizers’ commitment to accessibility makes this one of the most exciting free photo contests of the year.

How to Enter:

There are several ways to submit your work. The primary method is through the official XMAGE Awards website, where you will need to log in with your HUAWEI ID. Submissions are also accepted through other official channels like the HUAWEI Community and My HUAWEI apps.

Alternatively, you can enter via Instagram. To do so, upload your work using the hashtag #HUAWEIXMAGE, follow the official account @huaweixmageawards, and ensure your profile is set to “Public”. It is also crucial to allow direct messages from non-followers so the organizers can contact you if your work is selected.

About the Jury

The jury for the XMAGE Awards 2026 is composed of a diverse and highly respected panel of international experts from the world of photography. The judges include:

• Liu Heung Shing: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photojournalist
• Chen Xiaobo: Leading Editor at Xinhua News Agency, Imaging Researcher
• Florence Bourgeois: Director of Paris Photo
• Cao Ting: Dean of the School of Visual Media and Communication, Beijing Film Academy
• Fabrice Laroche: Editor-in-Chief of Fisheye
• Dai Xianjing: Photographer, Documentary Director
• Li Changzhu: Brand Director of HUAWEI XMAGE

Why Enter XMAGE Awards 2026?

This competition offers a rare combination of massive cash prizes, global prestige, and complete accessibility. The $10,000 Grand Prize can be a life-changing amount for any photographer, and the fact that it is a free-to-enter mobile photography competition makes it a must-enter event. Having your work judged by a panel of this caliber provides a level of validation that is hard to match. It is a fantastic opportunity to prove that the best camera is the one you have with you and to join a global community celebrating mobile photography. For those looking for more photo competitions, this one should be at the top of your list.

Rules and Copyright

This section about the rules and image rights of the XMAGE Awards 2026 has been generated automatically. If you are interested in participating in this contest we suggest you review the complete rules provided by the contest.

Rules

All submissions must be created using a Huawei phone; there are no restrictions on which model or when the photo/video was taken. Each participant can upload a maximum of 30 works, which can be single photos, a group of photos, or videos. Images must be in .JPG, .JPEG, or .PNG format (max 30 MB), and videos must be in .MP4 format (max 400 MB). Images can be edited on a Huawei phone, and third-party software is permitted. Videos can be edited on a computer or phone.

Copyright and Image Usage

The copyright of any submitted work remains with the photographer. However, by entering, you irrevocably authorize Huawei and its associated companies to use your submitted work free of charge worldwide for two (2) years (ten (10) years for shortlisted entries). This includes use in global online media, print media, photography exhibitions, retail stores, out-of-home advertising, and for the development and marketing of Huawei products and services.

For more information and to participate in the contest, visit: the official website.