Apple has formally revealed the 2025 Design Awards for application winners and finalists just days before its Worldwide Developer Conference 2025 (WWDC). The majority of this year's winners and finalists include indie applications and startups; generative AI apps, in contrast to the general trend, are conspicuously absent from the list. For the second consecutive year, Apple has excluded AI-focused apps from its awards. However, the business did recognize a few AI-enabled apps, such as Moises, a venture-backed startup that creates and edits music, and Speechify, which won in the Inclusivity category.
Not surprisingly, Apple places a greater focus on how developers have improved experiences using its tools. Apple revealed a total of 12 winners, with one game and one app selected for each of the six categories. These include: Delight and fun, innovation, interaction, inclusivity, and social impact. This year's finalists from Apple highlighted a significant variety of apps and games created by small developers worldwide.
Here’s The Complete List of Apple’s 2025 Design Award Winners Across All Categories:
Delight and Fun
Inclusivity
- Speechify
- Art of Fauna
Innovation
Interaction
Social Impact
Visuals and Graphics
The medal in the social effect category went to Watch Duty, which assisted in sharing information during the wildfires in California. In the meantime, Play, a developer prototype tool supported by M13, won the prize for best app in the innovation category.
Our Opinion:
Apple’s decision to continue spotlighting apps that focus on accessibility, design, and real-world impact shows its commitment to user-centric innovation. While AI remains a hot trend globally, Apple values thoughtful application of technology over hype. These awards serve as a reminder that creativity and user experience still lead the way in Apple's ecosystem.
