Google Introduces ‘Material 3 Expressive’ — A More Personal And Fluid Android Design Experience

Google revealed a significant evolution in its design approach during its Android Show, just ahead of the Google I/O event. The company introduced Material 3 Expressive — a new design style that makes Android and Wear OS more personal and responsive.

Material 3 Expressive builds on Material You, which was launched in 2021. It adds lively animations and touch feedback to help users feel more connected to their devices and make the experience smoother and more engaging.

One of the main changes is the addition of smooth animations and gentle vibrations. Now, when you do things like clear a notification or change the volume, you’ll see small visual effects and feel a light buzz, making the phone feel more natural to use, according to a TechCrunch report.

For example, swiping away a notification shows a ‘detach’ animation and produces a small vibration, making it feel like a real action. Another update adds a soft blur to the background, helping you focus better while moving between apps or menus.

“In 2021, we launched Material You as a big leap in design that focused around a user’s identity with experiences like dynamic colour theming,” said Mindy Brooks, vice president of Product and UX for the Android Platform.

Brooks added that now the company is “building off the principles of Material You” to bring Material 3 Expressive.

“Material 3 Expressive is an expansion of new components and capabilities designed to add emotion to product UIs, providing a more premium and engaging experience that is easier to use and creates a little more joy in key moments,” Brooks was quoted as saying by TechCrunch.

The new design also brings better colour options and clearer fonts, giving users more control over how their device looks. These changes will be seen across Google apps like Gmail and Google Photos.

Another important update is the ability to personalise Quick Settings. Users can now rearrange the panel and add tools they use often, like ‘Flashlight’ or ‘Do Not Disturb’, making it easier to access important features.

A new feature called Live Updates will also be available. Similar to Apple iPhone’s Live Activities, it will show real-time updates from compatible apps on the lock screen. Whether you’re waiting for a food delivery or a ride, you can see the progress without interrupting what you’re doing.

“We’re introducing Live Updates as a new feature that will highlight what you need to know so you can stay focused on what you care about,” Brooks said.

The updated design will first be available on Pixel smartphones with the arrival of Android 16, which is expected later this year.

Wearables are also getting a refresh. Material 3 Expressive has been adapted to the circular screens of Wear OS watches with flowing animations that follow the curvature of the display. Improvements to everyday interactions, such as using the pin pad or controlling music playback, will be made more engaging with responsive motion and haptics.

Updates to Wear OS will also improve Tiles, the small widget-like screens that provide quick access to apps and functions. The redesigned watch experience will roll out first on the Pixel Watch later this year as part of the Wear OS 6 update.