OPINION : Android 16 is n’t too far off , with Google set to loose the next major version of Android to Pixel equipment in June – and it ’s set to be more exciting than usual .

That ’s because Google has revealed a major user interface update as part of the Android 16 update , all bundled under theMaterial 3 Expressivebanner .

It ’s sure as shooting an exciting idea as the heart Android experience has looked same - y for a routine of years now , and it ’s beginning to depend a small dated compared to recently updated smartphone UIs from the like of Apple , Samsung and even OnePlus .

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

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It looks like Google ’s approach was refreshingly simple , too . It conducted many research studies and interview more than 18,000 people using technology like centre trailing to serve understand how users interact with their phones and how to improve that experience .

The result is what Google call Material 3 Expressive .

Material 3 Expressive brings a much-needed facelift

The UI updates diffuse practically every area of the Android 16 experience .

That starts with a cluster of new UI shapes and , more significantly , shape - morphing transitions . This provide , say , a circle to transition into a lame during an invigoration , making the atomic number 8 feel more dynamical , peculiarly when combine with a fresh natural spring - based motion system that allow nearby UI elements to ‘ react ’ to animations .

There is also a reach of revamp components and Modern UI elements to take advantage of the new form and transition , gift both in the package itself and in apps .

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

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Google ’s dynamical theming system has also had a rhytidoplasty . It ’ll still be based on your wallpaper , but it ’ll offer better contrast and richer people of color palettes to make the interface look more vibrant and enticing . It should also do a better job at divide primary and lower-ranking elements than the current system , making it easier to tell what ’s important on - screen at a glimpse .

App icon form customisation is also pose for a comeback , following its removal with the launching of Android 12 . With the new update , you ’ll be able-bodied to choose from six different icon shapes including the standard circle alongside square , ‘ four - sided cookie ’ and other shapes .

There ’s also a redesign preferences app aimed at improving overall seafaring and visual uncloudedness . The reintroduction of coloured icons , redesigned toggles , tweaked headers , and more should not only pack more selective information onto the page at once but also make the sometimes overwhelming preferences app easier to navigate .

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

There ’s also a refreshed status bar , with alteration to the Wi - Fi sign picture , stamp battery icon , and even the text and space . It ’s not a complete overhaul , but in leak screenshots , it looks cleaner and more manageable .

change are also headed to the notification tad , with a split notice and spry ascendance panels alike to iOS and third - party Android hide like MagicOS and HyperOS . Smaller component , like the volume luger , will also take care slightly different to gibe the new Expressive design speech .

Other non - UI update include the introduction of springy Updates , the power to pile widgets , get notification summary , add widgets to your lock screen , programmable power key functions and more .

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

These are n’t young in any physical body or material body – it ’s more Google playing catch - up with not only Apple but third - party Android skin – but it ’s with child to see them appear on the bloodline Android operating organization in the near time to come .

The problem? It won’t matter for millions of Android users

Here ’s the kicker : millions of Android users wo n’t see these shiny new rising slope . Why ? Simply put , only a small handful of manufacturers offer stock Android on their smartphones .

You ’ll certainly be getting it on late iterations of Google ’s Pixel mountain range , and it will more than likely make it to succeeding Motorola phones that run near - stock Android . However , if you ’re rocking a Samsung , Honor , Xiaomi , OnePlus , Oppo or any other phone that does n’t run strain Android , you ’re almost certainly out of luck .

Samsung employ its own spin on Android nickname OneUI , and it ’s pretty far from the ancestry Android experience . Samsung has customised most elements of the UI to make its earpiece take care more singular , as well as bake in Samsung - exclusive features not available on Malcolm stock Android .

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

It ’s a similar history with Honor ’s MagicOS , Xiaomi ’s HyperOS , OnePlus ’ OxygenOS , Oppo ’s ColorOS and most other third - party peel – and that have in mind they wo n’t bucket along to implement broth Android design change on upcoming releases .

That ’s not to say they wo n’t be present in some frame or anatomy . Some producer could broil some aspects of Google ’s Material 3 Expressive aim language into their upcoming releases . Still , you likely wo n’t get the complete package unless you ’re a Pixel or Motorola user .

It ’s the main reason Android update are n’t as exciting as iOS option ; where Io updates come to all fend for iPhones on the same Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , and launch the same computer software ( for the most part ) , the Android software system experience is fractured .

Material 3 Expressive colours

Not only is the software rollout much slower , with some phone like the Galaxy S24onlyjustgetting Android 15despite roam out last August , but the look and feel of the software can vary massively between producer .

Even if you do have a Pixel speech sound , it wo n’t be uncommitted as part of the initial rollout of Android 16 in June . Instead , it ’ll make out subsequently this class , with Google sustain that Pixel devices will be the first to provide the Material 3 Expressive update once it ’s quick for select time .

Still , it ’s exciting to see a fresh UI come to Pixels sometime soon as , equate to third - party skins , it was starting to look a little dated .

Material 3 Expressive colours

Material 3 Expressive colours

Material 3 Expressive apps

Material 3 Expressive apps

Material 3 Expressive apps

Material 3 Expressive Live Updates

Material 3 Expressive Live Updates

Material 3 Expressive Live Updates

Galaxy S25 Ultra

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Galaxy S25 Ultra

Galaxy S25 Ultra

Google Pixel 9 Pro

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Google Pixel 9 Pro

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

Material 3 Expressive UI changes

Material 3 Expressive colours

Material 3 Expressive colours

Material 3 Expressive apps

Material 3 Expressive apps

Material 3 Expressive Live Updates

Material 3 Expressive Live Updates

Galaxy S25 Ultra

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Galaxy S25 Ultra

Google Pixel 9 Pro

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Google Pixel 9 Pro