Adobe Commerce (Magento) 2.4.7: In-Depth Overview of New Features and Enhancements

Magento 2.4.7, released in April 2024, is a significant update that delivers a host of improvements aimed at boosting performance, enhancing customer experience, and streamlining store management. This article explores the most impactful new features, with practical examples and insights for merchants and developers.

1. GraphQL Enhancements

Magento 2.4.7 introduces substantial upgrades to its GraphQL API, making headless commerce and PWA integrations faster and more flexible.

• Enhanced Caching and Performance:
  The update brings improved caching for GraphQL queries, especially for resolvers related to customer data and subscriptions. This means faster data retrieval and better scalability during high-traffic events. 

Example:
When a customer checks their order history via a PWA frontend, the queries are now cacheable, reducing server load and improving response time. 

Custom Attribute Support:
Developers can now leverage GraphQL schema support for custom product attributes, enabling more tailored storefronts and integrations. 

Order Items with Product Images:
The OrderItemInterface now exposes product images, allowing order history and order detail pages to display visual product cues, enhancing the post-purchase experience.

Example:
Customers see thumbnail images next to each product in their order history, making it easier to identify past purchases. 

New Cart Management Mutations:

• `clearCart` mutation replaces the deprecated `clearCustomerCart`. It lets you clear the contents of a specific cart in a single action.
• `createGuestCart` mutation replaces `createEmptyCart`, making it explicit when creating carts for guest users and simplifying guest checkout flows.

Example:

mutation {
  createGuestCart {
    cart {
      id
    }
  }
}

This mutation creates a unique cart for a guest user, streamlining the guest checkout process.

Order Cancellation via GraphQL:
Customers can now initiate order cancellations and provide reasons, reducing the burden on customer service and improving transparency.

2. Performance and Scalability Improvements

• Accelerated Page Load Speeds:
  Optimized parser requests and cacheable queries result in faster website performance, especially during peak periods. This ensures smoother navigation and reduces bounce rates.
• Bulk Operations and Coupon Management:
  Magento 2.4.7 can efficiently handle up to a million active coupon-based cart price rules, thanks to indexer and sales rule optimizations. This is crucial for large-scale promotions and flash sales.
• Bundle Product Enhancements:
  Discount calculation errors have been fixed, and pricing accuracy for bundle products is improved. Merchants can now edit bundle quantities directly in the cart, both via the Admin UI and APIs.

3. Improved Cart and Checkout Experience

• Streamlined Cart Management:
  The new createGuestCart and clearCart mutations make managing carts for both guests and logged-in users more intuitive and efficient.
• Order History with Product Images:
  Customers now see product images in their order history, making the shopping experience more visually engaging and helping with post-purchase support.

4. Customer Self-Service: Order Cancellation

• Frontend Order Cancellation:
  Customers can now cancel their orders from the frontend and specify a reason for cancellation. This feature empowers customers and reduces support workload.
• Example Flow:
  • Customer navigates to "My Account" > "Orders."
  • Clicks "Cancel Order" next to an eligible order.
  • Selects a cancellation reason from a dropdown and confirms.
  • Receives a confirmation message upon successful cancellation.

5. Payment and Checkout Upgrades

• Expanded Payment Options:
  • Support for Google Pay and Apple Pay, including the ability for authenticated customers to save payment methods for future purchases.
  • Enhanced Braintree integration encourages faster checkouts and higher conversion rates.
  • Express payment buttons (PayPal, PayPal Pay Later, Apple Pay, Google Pay) are now more accessible during checkout, streamlining the payment proces.
• Example:
  Returning customers can select a previously saved PayPal or Google Pay method, reducing friction and speeding up repeat purchases.

6. Platform and Security Enhancements

• Compatibility Updates:
  • PHP 8.3 support (with PHP 8.2 supported until December 2025).
  • Compatibility with Varnish 7.4, Composer 2.7.x, RabbitMQ 3.13, Redis 7.2, and OpenSearch 2.12.
  • Improved security with over 150 high-priority fixes, making stores more robust against vulnerabilities.

PWA Studio Integration:
Magento 2.4.7 is fully compatible with PWA Studio v14.0, enabling merchants to build fast, app-like shopping experiences.

7. Developer and API Improvements

• REST API Enhancements:
  New endpoints for payment processing and improved support for JSON in REST Import API, facilitating easier integrations and data imports.
• Webhooks and AI Integration:
  Enhanced webhook support allows for synchronous logic and easier integration with external systems, such as CRMs and marketing platforms.

Summary Table: Magento 2.4.7 Key Features

| Feature Area             | Description & Example                                                                |
|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| GraphQL Caching          | Faster, cacheable queries for customer and order data                                |
| Cart Management          | `createGuestCart` and `clearCart` mutations for smoother workflows                   |
| Order Cancellation       | Customers can cancel orders and specify reasons from the frontend                    |
| Product Images in Orders | Order history now displays product images                                            |
| Payment Upgrades         | Google Pay, Apple Pay, Braintree enhancements, express checkout buttons              |
| Performance              | Optimized parser requests, bulk coupon rule handling, faster page loads              |
| Platform Compatibility   | PHP 8.3, Varnish 7.4, Composer 2.7.x, Redis 7.2, PWA Studio v14.0                   |
| Bundle Product Fixes     | Accurate pricing, editable quantities, improved admin/API support                    |
| Security                 | 150+ fixes, improved platform resilience                                            |
| Developer Tools          | REST API JSON support, webhooks, AI/3rd party integration improvements    

Magento 2.4.7 is a compelling upgrade for merchants and developers aiming for better performance, customer experience, and operational efficiency. With its focus on speed, flexibility, and modern integrations, it sets a new standard for open-source eCommerce platforms.