Google’s Material 3 Expressive Design Officially Revealed for Android and Wear OS
Earlier this month we revealed the upcoming Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive Design leaks even before the upcoming I/O 2025. The brand-new UX called Material 3 Expressive (M3E) is already underway to several Google apps and services like Android 16, the latest Android Auto, and more. Today, Google officially revealed M3E in its entirety!
Through our APK Breakdown series, we have previously revealed many upcoming features for various Android apps. The most recent information pertains to the integration of the Material 3 Expressive design into Google apps and the imminent availability of third-party applications that are accessible to all developers.
Let’s take a look at what Material 3 Expressive offers:
Material 3 Expressive: Google’s Revolutionary Design Refresh for Android and Wear OS
Google has unveiled one of its most significant design updates in years with Material 3 Expressive, a comprehensive redesign for Android and Wear OS devices that is set to transform how users connect with their smartphones and smartwatches. Building upon the foundation of Material You, this new design language takes personalization to a next level and also introduces fluid animations and glanceable information that makes device interaction more intuitive and enjoyable.
Nearly four years after introducing the Material You design system to billions of Android devices, Google is taking another bold step forward. Material 3 Expressive represents a natural evolution that maintains the human-centered approach of its predecessor while expanding customization options to better reflect individual user personalities.
The philosophy behind Material 3 Expressive centers on making technology feel more personal, responsive, and delightful. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating meaningful connections between users and their devices through thoughtful design choices that enhance both form and function.
Fluid Animations
One of the most immediately noticeable aspects of Material 3 Expressive is its system of natural, springy animations designed to bring moments of delight to everyday interactions. These aren’t just superficial flourishes but carefully crafted responses that provide visual feedback and make the interface feel alive.
For example:
- When dismissing a notification, nearby notifications subtly respond to your drag motion
- A satisfying haptic rumble accompanies the action of snapping a notification off the stack
- The notification shade features a subtle background blur that creates a sense of depth
- Volume sliders and other controls respond with playful yet purposeful animations
These small but meaningful interactions accumulate to create an experience that feels more organic and less mechanical. The system responds to your touch in ways that feel natural, creating micro-moments of satisfaction throughout your daily usage.
Enhanced Personalization Options
Material 3 Expressive takes the personalization options introduced with Material You even further:
- Updated dynamic color themes: More options to match your style preferences
- Responsive components: Interface elements that adapt naturally to different contexts
- Emphasized typography: Greater flexibility in how text appears across your device
- Cross-app consistency: Google is working to bring these visual choices to apps like Google Photos, Fitbit, and Gmail
This level of customization ensures that your Android device truly feels like an extension of your personality rather than a generic piece of technology.
Functional Improvements for Everyday Use
Beyond aesthetics, Material 3 Expressive introduces several practical improvements that enhance usability:
Customizable Quick Settings
The redesigned Quick Settings panel allows users to include more favorite actions like Flashlight and Do Not Disturb, putting frequently used controls just a swipe away.
Live Updates
Perhaps one of the most useful new features is Live Updates, which helps you easily track progress notifications from select apps. For instance, after ordering food via Uber Eats, you’ll receive glanceable updates tracking your delivery progress without having to open the app repeatedly. These real-time updates from delivery services, rideshare apps, and navigation tools remain front and center, ensuring you don’t miss critical information.
Wear OS Reimagined
Material 3 Expressive doesn’t stop at smartphones—it brings equally thoughtful design improvements to Wear OS devices as well.
Design Optimized for Round Displays
The new design language for Wear OS embraces the circular nature of most smartwatch displays:
- Scrolling animations that trace the curvature of the display
- Lists that animate with a sense of depth
- Refreshed daily experiences like using the pin pad and controlling media
- Smooth transitions with shape-morphing elements that adapt to the smaller screen
Glanceable Information
On the limited real estate of a watch face, efficiency is key. Material 3 Expressive introduces:
- System of glanceable buttons that stretch to hug the display
- Space-efficient controls that remain easily tappable
- More engaging tiles for quick access to favorite contacts or workout controls
Battery Improvements
It’s not all about looks—performance matters too. Wear OS 6 paired with Material 3 Expressive delivers up to 10% more battery life, addressing one of the most common complaints about smartwatches.
When Can You Experience It?
Google has announced that Material 3 Expressive will debut first on Pixel devices later this year before rolling out more broadly. The company is working with partners to bring these design improvements to Android 16 and Wear OS 6 devices.
