Apple just announced the finalists and winners of this year’s Apple Design Awards, highlighting 12 great apps and games that set the standards in design. The awards recognize one app and one game each across six categories: Delight and Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. The winners were selected from 36 finalists globally.
Delight and Fun
Finalists and winners in this category leveraged on Apple technologies to achieve memorable and engaging experiences for users.
App: CapWords
Developer: HappyPlan Tech (China)
CapWords turns the world around you into a language lesson. Just snap a photo of an everyday object, and the app transforms it into a fun, interactive sticker – complete with the word in your chosen language. With support for nine languages, CapWords makes it easy to learn on your own, blending visual discovery with real-world immersion for a more natural way to pick up vocabulary.
Game: Balatro
Developer: LocalThunk (United Kingdom)
Balatro is a clever mashup of poker, solitaire, and roguelike deck-building that keeps you hooked with every hand. Players build powerful combos by pairing classic poker hands with jokers, each offering their own wild twists and strategic perks. With endless deck possibilities and escalating challenges, it’s a high-stakes puzzle where smart synergy and bold plays are your best bet to outwit the blinds and chase the win.
Finalists include Lumy by Raja V; Denim by Feel Good Tech; Thank Goodness You’re Here! by Panic; and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier.
Innovation
Winners and finalists in this category deliver cutting-edge experiences, standing out in their genre through innovative and standout use of Apple technologies.
App: Play
Developer: Rabbit 3 Times (USA)
Play is an elegant, user-friendly tool that empowers designers to build interactive prototypes using SwiftUI. With a sleek, intuitive interface, it combines pro-level functionality with accessibility, making it easy to design and test across Mac and iPhone. Real-time syncing ensures a smooth, collaborative workflow – turning ideas into interactive experiences without missing a beat.
Game: PBJ – The Musical
Developer: Philipp Stollenmayer (Germany)
PBJ – The Musical serves up a delightful twist on Shakespeare’s classic, retelling Romeo and Juliet with a cast of quirky condiments. This snack-sized adventure blends rhythm-based gameplay with engaging storytelling and a standout soundtrack. With playful haptics, imaginative camera angles, and witty dialogue, it’s a flavorful, feel-good experience from the very first beat.
Finalists for this category include Moises by Music.AI; Capybara by Digital Workroom Ltd; Pawz by Bootloader Studio Holdings Private Limited; and Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB.
Find out more about the finalists and winners from other categories here.
