Which new emoji will clinch the top spot in 2026? An analysis by Emojipedia reveals which new additions are resonating most with users, while also providing a sneak peek at the emojis expected to arrive in the coming year.
Whether in chats with friends, on social media, or in professional messages, emojis have become integral to our digital lives, often conveying emotions more swiftly than words. As we mark World Emoji Day on July 17, Emojipedia has compiled data on the latest emojis that are particularly favored by users. Simultaneously, there’s a look into the new emoji designs that may debut next year.
163 New Emojis Since 2025
With Emoji 17.0 introduced in September 2025, a total of 163 new emojis were added to the official Unicode standard. This release featured not only entirely new symbols but also numerous additional skin tone combinations for existing emojis.
The most eye-catching newcomers include:
- Distorted Face
- Orca
- Comic Book Punch Cloud
- Ballet Dancer
- Hairy Being (inspired by Bigfoot)
- Trombone
- Landslide
- Treasure Chest
These new emojis are now available across major platforms, including the latest versions of iOS, Android, Samsung devices, and various messaging services.
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As Emojipedia analyzed the traffic to its emoji database, the results clearly indicated which new emojis have generated the most interest among users. Ranking third is the Punch Cloud, while the Orca sits in second place, and the Distorted Face takes the top spot.
The Distorted Face emoji particularly stood out, having already been a crowd favorite prior to its official release. It was even named the most anticipated new emoji in 2025. Now, with its title as the most popular new emoji of 2026, another milestone is achieved.
Which Emojis Could Appear in 2027?
With the current winners confirmed, attention now shifts to Emoji 18.0. The proposed list is still in draft form, meaning it isn’t set in stone which symbols will actually be released. Nonetheless, the selection offers an exciting glimpse into potential innovations. Current proposals for emojis include:
- A face with a breaking surface
- A left-pointing thumb
- A right-pointing thumb
- A Monarch Butterfly
- A Pickle
- A Lighthouse
- A Meteor
- An Eraser
- An Insect Catcher
The distorted face is expected to gain significant traction due to its broad applicability. If all proposals receive the green light, the total number of officially standardized emojis will rise to 3,972.
This current list primarily serves to gauge the sentiment within the emoji community. Users can vote on which new emojis they are most excited about through Emojipedia. While this result does not influence Unicode’s final decisions, it does showcase which symbols are capturing users’ attention. The final determination of which proposed symbols will make it onto smartphones worldwide will likely be decided throughout the coming year.
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