Apple iOS 16.4 iPhone Update Has 21 Cool Emoji, Including 1 Real Shocker

New emoji in iOS 16.4

Apple

No sooner has iOS 16.3.1 landed but Apple has released the first developer beta of its next big thing, iOS 16.4. It will likely be the next release (unless there’s a bug-squishing minor update) for iPhone users and I’d expect it in March or April (Apple has just said spring for now).

As well as 21 emoji, we can expect updates to the Apple Music app, web app notifications, and improvements to HomeKit. There’s no sign of it yet, but could this be when the clever Sound Recognition feature for HomePod is added?

I’ll cover what to look forward to in more detail shortly, but here, the gorgeous new emoji is the main focus.

New pushing hand emoji for iOS 16.4.

Apple

21 New Emoji

I’d say nobody does emoji better than Apple, so the release of new ones is always worth celebrating. As well as the ones listed here, there are skin color options and other variants, for instance. Here’s what will land in iOS 16.4.

Shaking face emoji in iOS 16.4.

Apple

There’s just one Smiley, and it’s a shaking head. It’s so well done, with blurry eyes, mouth and eyebrows that I can barely look at it without squinting. It makes me think my phone screen just broke down. It’ll be useful for times when you want to suggest you are so shocked you’re shaking. Or to talk about earthquakes or loud noises.

There are two hand gestures, a rightward pushing hand and a leftward pushing hand. Great for talk-to-the-hand messages or to evoke “Stop in the name of love” moments. Three new colors for hearts include a pink one which, according to Emojipedia, has been a requested shade for years now.

Animal emoji in iOS 16.4.

Apple

Animal And Nature Emoji

These are always a high point of design and the new nature emoji are as follows. First, a moose, who exemplifies the cuteness and rich detail Apple is known for. Look at those sympathetic eyes. There’s a donkey, facing to the left. And two birds: a perky-tailed blackbird and a demure, elegant goose. There’s also a wing, vivid and unmistakable as much for its shaded colors as its shape. Handy as a fun alternative to an airplane when you’re planning to take a flight. Finally, there’s a jellyfish. Now, jellyfish scare me, but this one, though its tentacles are a bit worrying, is mostly benign-looking.

Also in the natural world are some plants. Hyacinth, pea pod and ginger are here. The ginger almost looks like a running person, conveying the lift ginger can give you, perhaps. And the peas in the pod are succulent, to say the least.

More iOS 16.4 emoji.

Apple

Other Emoji

Need a hand fan or hair pick? Apple has you covered. The fan is a masterpiece of understated but anatomically accurate illustration. New musical instruments include a flute and maracas. Finally, there’s khanda, the symbol of Sikhism and an oddly shiny wireless symbol emoji.

Designs can change, and likely will, between now and the final release. Note that if you have iOS 16.3 or earlier and somebody with the beta of iOS 16.4 sends you one of the new emoji, they won’t show up.