Emojis are the hieroglyphs of the 21st century. They’re how we express our feelings, cancel plans, show moral support, and tell someone they’re on thin ice, all without saying a word. In fact, they are our form of communication when words fail. So when Apple decides to expand its emoji vocabulary, we pay attention.
With the roll-out of iOS 18.4 this week, Apple has quietly added eight new emojis to your iPhone. We’re talking: an exhausted face that will soon take over the digital realm, a lonely leafless tree (climate change vibes?), a harp (because sometimes you need to text someone an angelic string instrument), a shovel (for all your emotional digging or for when you need to the perfect motif for burying the hatchet), and yes, a single radish. Or possibly a turnip. The internet is still arguing. There’s also a bold blue fingerprint, a moody purple splatter (interpret as you will), and the flag of Sark — a charmingly obscure self-governing island in the Channel Islands that now gets its emoji moment.
THE EXHAUSTED FACE
You know that face you make when you’re just done with, err…well, everything? Apple just captured that feeling in an emoji, complete with the undereye bags and a deadpan expression that feels a little too accurate. It’s relatable. It’s real. And it’s definitely about to be overused.
PURPLE SPLATTER
What is it? Who knows. Art? Jam? A modern metaphor for our collective emotional state? The internet isn’t sure, and neither are we—but something about its vague chaos feels right for 2025.
THE SHOVEL
Is it for gardening? Digging dirt? Burying drama? Emoji Twitter already has thoughts. Expect this one to pop up everywhere. We give it a week before it’s the official emoji of passive-aggressive Gen Zs.
THE LEAFLESS TREE
Kind of bleak, kind of poetic. Great for when you’re feeling dramatic about the weather or just life in general. It’s the emoji equivalent of “currently in my moody era.”
THE HARP
Unexpectedly elegant. Possibly underused, but we see it gaining traction in deeply emotional texts or dramatic story posts with too many filters.
FLAG OF SARK
Sark: an island with about 500 residents, no cars, and—now—its own emoji. Niche? Yes. Random? Also yes. But hey, why not?
IS IT A TURNIP? IS IT A RADISH?
Apple calls it a turnip. Others say it’s a radish. Either way, it’s finally here. All your farmers’ market texts just got a major upgrade. And yes, someone on the internet is already using it to flirt.
THE BLUE FINGERPRINT
For when you want to be mysterious. Or are you just really passionate about biometric security? It’s not exactly a go-to emoji (yet), but we respect the niche. It is the emoji equivalent of saying, “This has your name all over it.” Perfect for dramatic receipts, conspiracy theories, or just letting someone know you’ve got a digital paper trail. Can’t wait to see how digital natives interpret it.
ALSO READ: WATCHES & WONDERS 2025: OUR FAVORITE HOROLOGICAL CREATIONS FROM THE EVENT.
