For the past couple of months, I’ve been using a prerelease smartphone operating system that represents a significant design overhaul, with a greater focus on transparency and new visual elements that respond realistically to your touches and swipes.
No, I’m not talking about iOS 26, where Apple is seemingly changing its mind about the extent of its “Liquid Glass” design language with every subsequent beta. There are some great new features in there—and iPadOS 26 is huge for productivity—but I’d recommend most iPhone users wait for it to cook a little longer before checking it out.
I’m talking about Google’s Material 3 Expressive version of Android 16, which has been available on Pixel phones in beta form since May. I’ve been running it on my Pixel 9 since it was first released to developer channels. It’s flown under the radar somewhat, because although Android 16 has been publicly available for some time, this new accompanying redesign wasn’t timed for the launch—which made for an underwhelming update.
Subscribe to Multicore. Multicore is about technology hardware and design. It’s written from Tokyo by Sam Byford. To learn more visit multicore.blog
That’s a shame, because Material 3 Expressive is actually really great—which is good news for anyone thinking of picking up a new Pixel 10-series phone when they launch next month.
‘Expressive’
“Material 3 Expressive” is kind of a convoluted name, building off the previous “Material You” language, which in turn was a spin on “Material Design.” But “expressive” is as good a word as any to encapsulate what Google is trying to do here. The software feels playful and interactive in a way that Android rarely has.
It starts with how Google is handling physics and haptics throughout the operating system. There are countless new animations and effects that make it more fun and responsive to use. The volume slider now has an incredibly subtle haptic effect that makes you feel like you’re sliding a scroll wheel back and forth, for example, while notifications or recent apps in the multitasking menu all react to each other in physically consistent ways. You know how it feels to finally loosen a book from a crammed shelf? That’s kind of what it’s like to dismiss a notification here—it looks and feels like you’re squeezing it out of a stacked list.
[Art: Material 3 Expressive]
Material 3 Expressive backs up the haptic feedback with animations that give on-screen elements a more physical feel. Buttons shift shapes depending on their activation state, while neighboring items in lists react to what you’ve selected. This design approach is particularly well-suited to Wear OS, which is now solely deployed on circular smartwatches; crucial buttons dynamically shrink and expand to fill the round spaces at the edge of the screen depending on how far you’ve scrolled. It’s the first time it’s really felt like a smartwatch user interface is a natural fit for a round display.
Visual Overhaul
Google’s new take on Android also comes with a welcome visual overhaul. It’s not immediately dramatic, but you’ll notice increased use of transparencies throughout the operating system, as well as bolder typography and brighter color schemes that adapt to your content and wallpapers. Essential UI elements like the battery indicator are now chunkier and more visible. The lock screen has received particular attention, with a larger clock design and a compact notification view that minimizes your alerts until you choose to unfurl them. The overall effect is much cleaner and feels more intentional.
[Art: Material 3 Expressive]
The quick settings menu, which appears above notifications when you swipe down from the top of the screen, is a particular highlight. It’s always been a helpful Android feature, but this new version is more customizable than ever, even letting you edit the size of buttons in the layout. If you opt for a wider Bluetooth button, for example, the left side of the button can be used as an on/off toggle while the right side expands to show you a list of your connected devices.
Google’s Best Work
Material 3 Expressive won’t spur as much discussion or debate as Apple’s Liquid Glass, for better or worse. Google doesn’t have the same clout to get third-party app developers on board, and this particular flavor of Android will really only be seen on the company’s own Pixel phones, which are not huge sellers in most major markets.
But I really think this is some of the best design work I’ve seen out of Google in recent years. While I’ve always liked the Pixel version of Android, that’s tended to be because of the unique functionality and the lack of bloat. Material 3 Expressive, however, feels genuinely fresh and appealing in its own right. Right now, I would say this is the most stylish and attractive software available on any phone, which might just be the first time I’m able to say that about Google’s own take on Android.
The new Pixel 10 lineup is set to be unveiled on August 20th. They may not shoot up the smartphone sales charts, but assuming they ship with the Material 3 Expressive version of Android 16, it’ll be a good reason for the uninitiated to give them a closer look on launch.
Subscribe to Multicore. Multicore is about technology hardware and design. It’s written from Tokyo by Sam Byford. To learn more visit multicore.blog
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