It's pointless arguing over what is better than the other lol people use emojis (me) and other people use emoticons (also me), most people prefer using both the express more than they can with emojis but emoji faces are easier to understand than emoticons. Everyone has their own different way of expressing behind their keyboard. When you can't find a emoji to use in a conversation use an emoticon, if you can't find an emoticon to use then use an emoji. They're both used the same way but just one has more bodily expressions and emotions than another, also emojis are more easier to understand and use, but that's just my opinion