Why do emojis look different on each platform?

Each platform (Apple, Google, Samsung, etc.) designs its own emoji artwork. Unicode only defines the meaning and code point — the visual design is up to each vendor. This is why the same emoji can look cheerful on one device and stern on another.

Which platforms does the compare tool support?

The tool compares 8 major platforms: Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, WhatsApp, Facebook, X (Twitter), and OpenMoji. Platform images are sourced from Unicode and vendor documentation.

Can platform differences cause misunderstandings?

Yes. Research shows that the same emoji can be interpreted differently across platforms. For example, Samsung's older grimacing face looked more like a smile, while Apple's looked uncomfortable. Always consider your audience's platform.

Are all 3,953 emojis available for comparison?

The tool supports comparison for all emojis in our database. However, some older or less common emojis may not have images available for every platform.

How often are platform images updated?

Platform vendors update their emoji designs with major OS releases. Apple updates with iOS releases, Google with Android releases. Our database tracks the latest available versions.