JavaScript Jabber What’s New in React 19.2: Compiler, Activity, and the Future of Async React - JSJ 670
Jan 8, 2026
In this lively discussion, Shruti Kapoor, an independent content creator and React educator, dives into the powerful features of React 19.2, including the stable React Compiler and its impact on component optimization. She highlights the new Activity component, which simplifies state management by preserving data like video playback across views. View Transitions are also explored, making animations smoother and more intuitive. Shruti emphasizes the significance of Performance Tracks for debugging and the future of async React, leaving listeners excited about what's next!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Auto-Memoization From React Compiler
- React Compiler now provides automatic memoization so developers can stop sprinkling useMemo/useCallback everywhere.
- Shruti Kapoor and Dan Shappir report significant render reductions after adding the compiler plugin to projects.
Drop-In Compiler For Older Projects
- Add the React Compiler Babel plugin to older React 17/18 projects to get memoization benefits without upgrading React.
- Shruti observed render counts drop dramatically after installing the plugin with no other changes.
Activity Preserves Hidden UI State
- The new Activity component preserves DOM/VDOM state for hidden UI so users return to the same place.
- It stores things like input value, video playback position, and scroll offset automatically.