TL;DR
The Unicode Consortium has published the draft emoji list for Unicode 18, which includes nine new designs such as a squinting smiley, pickle, and eraser. If approved, these are expected to appear on iPhones when Apple adopts Unicode 18 — likely with an iOS 27.x update in spring 2027.
What happened
The Unicode Consortium released the draft roster of candidate emoji for Unicode 18, a set of symbols that platform vendors typically implement after final approval. The list, highlighted by Emojipedia, includes nine draft items: a smiley face with squinting eyes, left- and right-pointing thumb gestures, monarch butterfly, pickle, lighthouse, meteor, eraser, and a net with a handle. Companies such as Apple and Google will translate the Consortium’s descriptions and draft artwork into their own platform-specific emoji. Apple historically rolls out new Unicode emoji to the iPhone in spring OS updates; the report notes that Unicode 17 characters have not yet been adopted by Apple and are expected with a forthcoming iOS 26.4 release. Based on that cadence, the Unicode 18 set would likely arrive on iPhone with an iOS 27.4 update around March or April 2027 if the draft set is approved.
Why it matters
- Platform vendors render emoji differently; the final look on iPhone will depend on Apple’s own designs.
- New emoji expand options for digital expression and can affect messaging and social usage.
- Apple’s update schedule means approved Unicode sets typically reach iPhones with spring iOS releases.
- Features like Apple’s Genmoji (in iOS 18) may influence user interest in official emoji additions.
Key facts
- The Unicode Consortium published the draft list for Unicode 18, as reported by Emojipedia.
- The draft list includes nine proposed emoji: squinting-smiley, left thumb, right thumb, monarch butterfly, pickle, lighthouse, meteor, eraser, and net with a handle.
- Emojipedia shared the draft designs supplied by the Unicode Consortium.
- Once approved, vendors such as Apple and Google will produce their own emoji artwork based on the Consortium’s descriptions.
- Apple has not yet adopted Unicode 17 characters; those are slated for a future iOS 26 update, likely iOS 26.4 in March or April.
- If the timing follows past patterns, Unicode 18 emoji could appear on iPhone with iOS 27.4 around March or April 2027.
- Apple last added new emoji to iPhone with iOS 18.4 in March 2025, which reflected Unicode 16.
What to watch next
- Whether the Unicode Consortium finalizes approval for the Unicode 18 draft — not confirmed in the source.
- Apple’s schedule for adopting Unicode 18 into iOS and the specific release that will include the new emoji; source suggests iOS 27.4 in March or April 2027 but final timing depends on vendor adoption.
- How Apple’s own designs will interpret the Consortium’s draft artwork — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Unicode Consortium: A standards body that defines text and emoji codes so symbols can be used consistently across different platforms and devices.
- Emojipedia: A reference site that tracks emoji proposals, meanings, and design variations across vendors.
- Unicode version (e.g., Unicode 18): A numbered release from the Unicode Consortium that can include new characters and emoji for adoption by device and software makers.
- Genmoji: An Apple Intelligence feature introduced in iOS 18 that lets users create custom emoji-like images from text prompts or by blending existing emoji.
- iOS: Apple’s operating system for iPhone, which vendors update periodically to add features, security fixes, and new emoji.
Reader FAQ
When will these Unicode 18 emoji reach iPhone?
If approved and following past timelines, the draft set would likely arrive with iOS 27.4 around March or April 2027.
Are the draft designs final on iPhone?
No. Vendors such as Apple will create their own versions based on the Consortium’s descriptions and draft artwork.
Has Apple already added the Unicode 17 emoji?
Apple has not adopted Unicode 17 characters yet; the source says they are expected with an iOS 26 update, likely iOS 26.4 in March or April.
Can I make or customize emoji myself on iPhone now?
Apple added a Genmoji feature in iOS 18 that lets users generate custom emoji-like designs, according to the source.
Will there be more emoji beyond the nine listed?
Not confirmed in the source.
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Sources
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