ATP Tier List: Emoji
Summary
In this July 2026 ATP member special, hosts John, Marco, and Casey rank various macOS 15 emoji on a tier list from S to F. They evaluate icons like the backhand pointing finger, ballot box, blue heart, and clinking beer mugs based on utility, rendering quality, and sentiment. The discussion highlights discrepancies between official names and common usage, such as the "confused face" representing disappointment. The episode concludes with the hosts debating the eggplant and exploding head emojis, ultimately placing the latter in S tier.
Topics discussed
Introduction and ground rules for the emoji tier list
Discussion on emoji rendering, skin tones, and search features
Tiering directional arrows and anatomical correctness debates
Evaluating tissue boxes, ballot boxes, and beach umbrellas
Deep dive into heart emojis, colors, and romantic vs. friendly contexts
Reviewing toy cars and checkmark symbols
Tiering celebration emojis: clinking glasses and champagne
Analyzing facial expressions: confused, disappointed, and dragon
The eggplant emoji and navigating sexual innuendo in design
Kiss marks, lipstick, and romantic interpretation debates
Skin tone modifiers and the philosophy of representation
Face palms, wide-eyed faces, and fingers crossed
Celebratory stars, zany faces, and grimacing expressions
Guitar rendering and raised hands for high fives
Information desk man, chef's kiss, and monocle faces
Shrugging, melting faces, and the disappointing middle finger
Historical relics, money bags, and hot face emojis
Thumbs up/down, party poppers, and F1 cars
Relieved faces, saluting, and skull emojis
Heart eyes, cool sunglasses, and sick face expressions
Thinking faces, thumbs down, and tumbler glasses
Sarcasm indicators, silly faces, and the standard smiley
Grimace, monkey faces, and warning signs
Water droplets, waves, and aggressive car emojis
Waving hands, dancing people, and drunk faces
Final tier list rankings and closing thoughts
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