- The Unicode 18 package includes at least 19 new emojis, nine of which are completely new.
- Apple will incorporate these icons into the iPhone with an iOS 27 update in the spring.
- Among the new features are thumb gestures, a pickle, a meteorite, and a monarch butterfly.
- Apple's final designs for iOS 27 will be based on descriptions from the Unicode Consortium.
The next major iPhone system update, iOS 27It won't just focus on performance or artificial intelligence: it will also bring a new batch of emojis, which are expected to arrive for users in Spain and the rest of Europe this spring. Although Apple hasn't officially announced anything yet, the company's usual release schedule and Unicode Consortium documents already paint a fairly clear picture.
The organization responsible for standardizing emojis worldwide, the Consortium UnicodeApple has published the draft of Unicode version 18, which includes the next batch of icons that could be incorporated into iOS 27. From these preliminary descriptions, we know what kind of emojis are on the table and when they could arrive on iPhones, although the final look will be defined by Apple later.
Which emoji pack will be released with iOS 27?
The new emojis expected for iOS 27 will be part of Emoji 18.0The set of symbols associated with Unicode 18. According to preliminary information, this package would include at least 19 additional emojis, of which nine would be completely new and the rest are skin tone variations for already known icons or for some of those who will debut now.
This approach is similar to that of previous years: each major iOS update incorporates a few unpublished designs And it completes the catalog with new skin tone and gender combinations to make the emojis more representative. This time, the focus is on both highly specific icons and more versatile ones, designed to reflect everyday gestures or concepts that were previously difficult to express with images alone. You can see how iOS 26 adds new emojis as a reference to previous releases.
In practice, this means that when iOS 27 arrives on iPhones in Spain, most users will see the emoji list grow moderately, but with new options in areas such as gestures, objects, and natureThe major expansions of the catalog are long gone; now it's more about filling gaps than multiplying the total number of symbols.
The details published by Unicode also indicate that manufacturers, such as Apple, have some leeway to adapt the style of each icon to their own visual language. Thus, although the base is the same, The result in iOS 27 will have the characteristic look of Apple emojis, with its lines, colors and particular proportions.
The new emojis proposed for Unicode 18
The Unicode 18 draft outlines a specific list of new emoji candidates coming to the iPhone with iOS 27. Although the list is still subject to minor changes until its final approval, the core of what we will see in keyboards and messaging apps is already pretty much defined.
Among the most striking icons is one smiling face with bright or very defined eyesThis emoji joins the already extensive collection of available facial expressions. These types of emojis are frequently used in chats and on social media because they allow you to add nuance to a message without using additional text.
Another notable addition is the thumb gesturesThe draft includes a left-pointing thumb and a right-pointing thumb, which would be added as separate emojis. Until now, the classic "thumbs up" was widely used, but these variations would allow users to express specific movements, directions, or nuances in certain conversations or contexts.
In the nature section, one of the icons that generates the most curiosity is the monarch butterflyUnlike other butterflies already available, this one refers to a specific species, easily recognizable by its colors and wing shape, which could translate into a visually striking design within the iOS 27 keyboard.
The list also includes elements with more specific uses, but which are gradually finding their place in digital visual language: a pickled gherkin or cucumber, Lighthouse coastal, a meteorite, blotter (eraser) and a net with handleEach one of them opens the door to new wordplay, visual metaphors, or memes in chats and networks.
How Unicode sketches are transformed into iOS 27 emojis
The emojis that appear in the Unicode Consortium documents are, in reality, very basic design proposalsThese are reference sketches that define the idea and description of each icon, but not the final appearance it will have in a specific operating system like iOS 27.
Once Unicode officially approves the set of new emojis, the work of companies like Apple or GoogleEach company creates its own versions, respecting the official description but adapting the graphic style to its ecosystem. Thus, the same emoji can look slightly different on an iPhone, an Android phone, or a computer. Likewise, many users search How to get iPhone emojis on Android.
In the case of iOS, Apple applies its characteristic visual languageRounded shapes, vibrant colors, soft shadows, and a certain three-dimensional feel set its emojis apart from those of other manufacturers. With iOS 27, it's expected that the established style from previous versions will be maintained, perhaps with slight adjustments to integrate the new icons into the existing set.
This process is not limited to drawing the new emojis; it also involves testing its correct display at all sizesFrom small message bubbles to notifications, widgets, and third-party apps, Apple must also ensure there are no cultural interpretation conflicts, something especially sensitive in diverse regions like Europe. To this end, users typically learn to update keyboard emojis.
When will these emojis arrive on the iPhone with iOS 27?
To get an idea of the timeframes, it's helpful to look at recent history. Apple usually Add new emojis to the iPhone with iOS updates this springOnce the relevant Unicode standard has been approved and the design versions are ready, they don't usually wait for the big annual fall release to do so.
According to the schedule managed by the Unicode Consortium, version Unicode 17The previous version was officially approved in July 2025. Apple still needs to integrate these emojis into iOS 26, something that numerous leaks place in an intermediate update, possibly iOS 26.4, around March or April, also in the European market.
Taking this dynamic as a reference, everything points to the Unicode 18 emojis —the ones we're dealing with now— would arrive somewhat later within the iOS 27 cycle. Various sources point to a version like iOS 27.4, again around spring, which would fit with the usual practice of launching these new features in a minor, but very visible update for the user.
This pattern is not new: in March 2025, for example, Apple added the emojis of Unicode 16 to iPhones via iOS 18.4, instead of waiting for the next major version. The company seems comfortable using these spring updates to introduce icons and small functionality changes that don't require a large unveiling event.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, the arrival of these emojis will be linked to the general rollout of iOS 27 in the region, which usually happens simultaneously with other major markets. Users will only have to update the system when the corresponding version is available to start seeing the new icons in your applications.
How the new emojis fit into the evolution of iOS
Over the years, the emoji catalog on iOS has expanded to the point that many users perceive each new batch as an incremental addition More than a revolution. Even so, they remain an important part of how millions of people communicate daily, including in Spain and Europe.
Apple has been adjusting the pace of these additions, combining popular demands with needs for representation, diversity, and accessibility. The new thumb gestures, for example, respond to the demand for more resources to express nuances in conversations, while icons like the monarch butterfly or the meteorite will broaden the range of references to nature and space.
In parallel, the company is exploring more flexible ways for users to create their own icons. Features such as Genmoji within Apple IntelligenceInitially introduced in iOS 18, this feature allows users to generate custom emojis from text descriptions or by combining existing elements. This trend points to a future where the fixed catalog coexists with more dynamic designs tailored to each individual. There are also guides on... how to put emojis on mac that complement these options in the Apple ecosystem.
In this context, the new Unicode 18 emojis that will be integrated into iOS 27 will become another layer of that common visual languageshared across platforms and devices. Although they may seem like small changes, their presence in keyboards, messaging apps, social networks, and productivity services eventually makes them part of everyday digital life.
Based on Unicode's predictions and Apple's handling of recent updates, iOS 27 is shaping up to be a version that will strengthen the system on many fronts and, in addition, will add a moderate but significant package of new emojisWhen the time comes, iPhone users in Spain and Europe will find more options to refine their messages, represent specific objects and gestures, and continue adapting their communication to a constantly evolving visual vocabulary.
