Google’s latest design initiative, known as Material 3 Expressive, is beginning to make its presence felt in the Google Messages beta, offering a sneak peek of what users can expect in the coming year. This new design language is set to redefine the Android experience, although it did not debut with the Android 16 beta. Anticipation builds as it is expected to roll out with Android 16 or shortly thereafter.
Subtle Yet Significant Changes
Those eager to experience the Material 3 Expressive design can do so through the Google Messages beta. While the process to join the beta program is straightforward, not all users will immediately see the new design elements. For instance, updates on devices in the UK have shown mixed results, with some users not receiving the anticipated changes.
The updates introduced by Material 3 Expressive are subtle but aim to enhance user experience significantly. Notably, lozenge-shaped buttons have replaced the previously round, colorful buttons, resulting in a more refined aesthetic. The buttons are larger, contributing to a less garish interface. Additionally, the “+” menu, used for adding emojis and stickers, has undergone a transformation. The presentation now appears more thoughtfully designed, with selected options becoming more prominent through an inversion effect, moving away from the previous bold and underlined style.
While these changes are currently minor, they provide a tantalizing glimpse into the broader transformation that Material 3 Expressive promises for the entire device ecosystem.
One intriguing aspect remains the extent to which this new design will be adopted beyond Google’s own devices. While the Pixel lineup is poised to showcase the new look, other manufacturers will need to decide how much of Material 3 Expressive they will incorporate. Brands like Motorola, known for a lighter touch in their Android modifications, may fully embrace the new design. In contrast, Samsung, which tends to implement more extensive changes, might not fully align with the new aesthetic.
This discrepancy could become particularly evident in markets where Google services are less dominant, such as China. Here, brands like Xiaomi and Honor may opt to maintain their existing design languages, leading to a potential mismatch when Google apps are included in global models.
