Google has officially announced a bold new design language for Android, called Material Three Expressive, taking the customizability of Material You to a more vibrant, youthful level. After an accidental early leak last week, the company confirmed the update in a formal blog post today.
The fresh design will be available later this month in an update to the Android 16 beta and introduces a range of playful, expressive elements—vibrant color palettes, bold fonts, dynamic animations, and more haptic feedback.
“This isn’t just a new coat of paint,” says Google. “Material Three Expressive is about making Android feel more personal and visually engaging.”
What’s New in Material Three Expressive?
The centerpiece of the Android 16 beta is clearly the new design language, but it comes with several usability enhancements too:
- Springy Animations: Every swipe, scroll, and tap now comes with more bounce, plus subtle haptic feedback for more intuitive interaction.
- Bold Colors: Think bright purples, pinks, and greens—colors chosen to guide user attention and reflect personal style.
- Custom Icon Shapes & Fonts: Developers can now choose from new icon shapes and expressive typography options for their apps.
- Targeting Younger Users: Google says that up to 87% of 18–24-year-olds prefer expressive designs, and this revamp aims to win over that key demographic, particularly in markets like the U.S. where iPhones dominate among Gen Z.
Live Updates & Lock Screen Notifications
Another major feature packed into the update is Live Updates, Android’s answer to Apple’s Live Activities. Users will now see real-time updates from navigation, food delivery, and ride-hailing apps directly on their:
- Lock screen
- Always-on display
- Status bar
- Notification shade
Customizable Quick Settings
Quick Settings is also getting a refresh. Users will soon be able to resize and rearrange tiles, giving them more control over which features are most accessible, another move that mirrors iOS functionality while maintaining Android’s hallmark flexibility.
With Material Three Expressive, Google is pushing Android in a more personal and playful direction. While the update seems tailored to younger users, its thoughtful design and enhanced usability features could appeal to a much wider audience.
The Google new Android design will roll out later this month as part of the Android 16 beta, with more updates likely to follow throughout the year.
