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Apple's new emojis, ranked

Apple released a sample of hundreds of new emojis coming soon to iOS devices. Let's break down what to use ASAP (with the public beta) and what to abandon.

Jason Parker
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Jason Parker
vampiresized
1 of 29 Apple

29. Vampire

I don't hate vampires, but it seems like there are so few uses for this emoji. 

Unless goths are making a comeback or vampires come back into fashion, this is at the bottom of the emoji pile.

trenchsized
2 of 29 Apple

28. Trench

This just doesn't make any sense to me. If I'm being generous it might mean, "Don't forget your coat!" or maybe something detective-related. But all I really see is some creepy flasher, which, now that I think about it, is probably close to what it will be used for: "creepy."

orange-heartsized
3 of 29 Apple

27. Orange heart

Yeah, that's what we all need: an orange heart. 

I'm being sarcastic because ... what do we need an orange heart for exactly? I'm sure I'm missing something, but it just doesn't seem that useful.

showersized
4 of 29 Apple

26. Shower

I get how this one will most likely be used for when you have to jump in the shower before ... stuff. But it looks kinda weird. 

Had I not known it was called shower, I'm not sure I would have thought of it. It's just kinda steamy and strange.

mermaidsized
5 of 29 Apple

25. Mermaid

Is the idea "The Little Mermaid?" Maybe there's a cultural reference here that's going over my head, but this one seems kind of over-designed.

rock-climbsized
6 of 29 Apple

24. Rock-climb

This one looks really cool, but it's also really specific. I imagine the rock climbers out there will love it and people will have fun with placing emojis beneath it in texts, but it's still far from the best.

fairysized
7 of 29 Apple

23. Fairy

There will probably be many uses for this one, but I'm not seeing it right now. I suppose you could say something like "Make a wish!" or maybe you'll get this when your significant other does something particularly nice for you. I don't see myself using it too much, but you never know once it gets out there in the public.

giraffesized
8 of 29 Apple

22. Giraffe

This is another one I like, but it's mostly because of a Reddit meme. I love animals, sure, but I just don't see using this one that often.

dinosized
9 of 29 Apple

21. Dino

I love dinosaurs. People who love dinosaurs will probably use this at least once in a while. I have a suspicion that once people see how I rated this list, it will be this icon next to my name in the chat message.

cricketsized
10 of 29 Apple

20. Cricket

*crickets*

hatsized
11 of 29 Apple

19. Hat

Beyond symbolizing baseball and hat-wearing people, I'm not convinced this will be used a lot.

sledsized
12 of 29 Apple

18. Sled

Rosebud. Who knows what meanings people will come up with other than an easy joke and actual sledding, but I admit that I do like the way it looks!

bad-mouthsized
13 of 29 Apple

17. Bad-mouth

This should be higher on the list and it's hard to state why I don't think it deserves to be. I think it'll be used a bunch, but my problem with it is the design. I just don't quite like the way it looks. 

What is my ideal swearing emoji? I don't know, but this isn't it.

curlingsized
14 of 29 Apple

16. Curling

I like this one a lot just because it looks cool. I imagine people will use it mostly for other things than the sport itself, but it's still a great addition. 

glovessized
15 of 29 Apple

15. Glove

Like the scarf, this one's great for weather-related chats, but I don't think it will be used as much as the scarf.

scarfsized
16 of 29 Apple

14. Scarf

Great any time the weather starts getting cold. It also could be used for fashion or to symbolize the holidays.

veggiesized
17 of 29 Apple

12. Veggie

This could be for vegetarians ordering a grossly healthy pizza, or just for desperate parents texting kids about eating vegetables.

hedgehogsized
18 of 29 Apple

13. Hedgehog

I can't think of a lot of reasons to use "hedgehog" in a conversation, but you have to admit it's cute.

piesized
19 of 29 Apple

11. Pie

C'mon. Who doesn't like pie?

take-outsized
20 of 29 Apple

10. Takeout

When you don't have the energy to cook, just drop this emoji in the chat to see who can get you some glorious takeout. Perfect. 

dimsumsized
21 of 29 Apple

9. Dim sum

I had to put a lot of thought into not making this higher on the list. I love potstickers ... but I decided it would be too biased to rate this higher, so No. 9 it is.

wizardsized
22 of 29 Apple

8. Wizard

I mean, it's a wizard. What's not to like about wizards?

sillysized
23 of 29 Apple

7. Silly

This one's pretty obvious. Any time you get silly or want to comment on another's silliness, this one will come in handy.

monoclesized
24 of 29 Apple

6. Monocle

The perfect emoji for when you're dropping knowledge, and it could also be used sarcastically. You can poke fun at a friend or family member who's getting a little preachy too.

lovesized
25 of 29 Apple

5. Love

Sometimes you want to throw in a quick "I love you," whether it's with your significant other, family member or close friend. It can even be used as a joke with people. This is high in the rankings because you gotta spread the love.

shhh
26 of 29 Apple

4. Shhh

Even though it's pretty simple, this is my favorite of the rest of the group. It has tons of uses when you want something kept secret or even as a playful shushing. I can see so many ways it can be used while joking around. It will probably be one of the most used.

genderless-3sized
27 of 29 Apple

3. Genderless 3

The top three are the new genderless emojis. Everyone deserves to be represented, so I think they're obviously the most important additions.

genderless-2sized
28 of 29 Apple

2. Genderless 2

Genderless No. 2, an important addition.

genderless-1sized
29 of 29 Apple

1. Genderless 1

And that's it for my list. As I said before, everyone deserves to be represented, so this genderless emoji is my No. 1.

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