Apple is preparing its next emoji refresh for iPhone users, and early signals point to 19 new emoji arriving with iOS 27 in a later software update. While Apple has not officially announced the lineup, the upcoming emoji are closely tied to Unicode Emoji 18.0, the global standard that determines which new emoji are allowed across all platforms.
Below is a clear, technical breakdown of what the 19 new emoji really are, how Unicode 18.0 works, and when iPhone users can realistically expect to use them.
Credit by 9to5Mac
Unicode 18.0: The Foundation Behind iOS 27 Emoji
Every emoji that appears on iPhone must first be approved by the Unicode Consortium, the international body that standardizes emoji across Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and other platforms.
Key Unicode 18.0 Background
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Unicode 18.0 draft list released: January 2026
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Final Unicode 18.0 approval expected: September 2026
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Apple cannot ship these emoji before final approval
This approval timeline is critical, because it explains why new emoji never appear in the first iOS release, even when Apple already knows what’s coming.
The 19 New Emoji Expected in iOS 27
According to Unicode 18 draft proposals, the following emoji categories are part of the current candidate list:
New Face and Expression Emoji
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Squinting Face – designed to represent skepticism, discomfort, or intense focus
New Objects and Symbols
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Pickle
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Lighthouse
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Meteor
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Eraser
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Net with Handle
Nature and Animals
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Monarch Butterfly
Directional and Gesture Emoji
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Left-facing Thumb
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Right-facing Thumb
Several of these gesture emoji are expected to support multiple skin tone variations, which contributes to the total count reaching 19 new emoji.
As always, the final list may change slightly before Unicode 18 is officially approved.
When Will These New Emoji Arrive on iPhone?
Although iOS 27 is expected to launch in September 2026, Apple historically does not include new Unicode emoji in the initial major release.
iOS 27 Emoji Timeline (Expected)
| Stage | Estimated Timing | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Unicode 18.0 draft published | January 2026 | Completed ✅ |
| Unicode 18.0 officially approved | September 2026 | Pending |
| iOS 27 public release | September 2026 | No new emoji |
| iOS 27.4 emoji update | March–April 2027 | New emoji arrive |
In other words:
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These emoji are associated with iOS 27
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But they will likely arrive 6–7 months after iOS 27 launches
What iPhone Users Should Expect
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✅ 19 new emoji tied to Unicode 18.0
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✅ Final approval expected in September 2026
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⚠️ Not included in iOS 27’s initial release
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📅 Likely arriving with iOS 27.4 in spring 2027
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Final Thoughts
Emoji updates may seem small, but they remain one of the most universally used features on iPhone. With Unicode 18.0 introducing 9 new emoji concepts and 10 skin tone variants, Apple’s iOS 27 emoji update continues a long-standing, carefully structured rollout process.
As Unicode approval approaches, attention will shift from what emoji are coming to how Apple chooses to design them — a step that often defines how widely those emoji are adopted.
