Unicode Consortium Plans Eight New Emojis for iOS 26, Xiaomi Across Platforms

The Unicode Consortium has announced a new batch of emojis set to be included in the upcoming iOS 26 update, expected to roll out later in the software cycle. This set includes diverse additions such as animals like the orca and peacock, new food items like bubble tea and cauliflower, and expressive faces including a 'Distorted Face' emoji that captures nuanced emotions. The new emojis emphasize inclusivity with gender-neutral options and diverse skin tones, reflecting ongoing efforts to broaden representation in digital communication. While the Consortium continues to oversee emoji standardization globally, the number of truly new emojis has been decreasing, with recent years seeing more variations in skin tone and gender rather than entirely new icons. Xiaomi users will also receive these updates as part of Unicode 17.0, adding to the growing global adoption of the new emojis. The Unicode Consortium’s careful selection process and coordination ensure that these emojis enhance communication across all devices and platforms.