Just days before its big developer conference, Google has unveiled early versions of Android 16 and Wear OS 6 — and both are getting a serious design glow-up.
At a separate virtual Android event, the company showed off “Material 3 Expressive” — the most significant UI overhaul in years. It builds on the customizable “Material You” aesthetic from 2021, adding even more personality, glanceability, and user-friendliness across devices.
The fresh coat of design magic will roll out to select devices later this year, setting the tone for a more personal Android experience going forward.
“Material 3 Expressive is all about making UIs feel more human,” said Mindy Brooks, Senior Director of Android Platform. “It brings a premium, joyful experience that’s not just better-looking, but easier to use too.”
Brooks says Material 3 Expressive brings “fluid, natural, and springy” animations to the UI. So whether you're swiping away a notification or clearing an app from your recents, you’ll feel smoother transitions — paired with a crisp little haptic buzz that makes it all the more satisfying.
The new UI brings in Live Updates — a lock screen feature that gives you real-time info at a glance, from live match scores to Uber and food delivery updates. Google’s also dialing up the visual polish with bolder type, dynamic colour themes, and more responsive elements across the board.
Quick Settings gets more flexible, letting you prioritize actions like Flashlight or Do Not Disturb. Notifications are also revamped to ensure important alerts never get lost in the mix.
What About Wear OS 6?
The new fluid design language isn’t just for phones — it’s coming to smartwatches too. Wear OS 6 gets a UI refresh built specifically for round displays, making the experience feel more personal and intuitive. Expect better glanceability, colour theming, and elements that are easier to tap and navigate.
Animations now follow the curve of the screen, with fluid scrolls and shape-shifting elements that add depth and improve accessibility. Dynamic color theming ties it all together — creating a seamless, consistent vibe from the watch face to every interaction.
Buttons now “hug” the edges of the display, making them easier to tap on the go. Tiles have been refined too — giving you quicker access to essentials like messages, workouts, or whatever you check most.
Wear OS 6 is bringing solid performance boosts too, with up to 10% longer battery life, so you can get more from your smartwatch throughout the day.
Both Android 16 and Wear OS 6 will roll out later this fall, starting with Pixel devices.
At a separate virtual Android event, the company showed off “Material 3 Expressive” — the most significant UI overhaul in years. It builds on the customizable “Material You” aesthetic from 2021, adding even more personality, glanceability, and user-friendliness across devices.
The fresh coat of design magic will roll out to select devices later this year, setting the tone for a more personal Android experience going forward.
“Material 3 Expressive is all about making UIs feel more human,” said Mindy Brooks, Senior Director of Android Platform. “It brings a premium, joyful experience that’s not just better-looking, but easier to use too.”
Brooks says Material 3 Expressive brings “fluid, natural, and springy” animations to the UI. So whether you're swiping away a notification or clearing an app from your recents, you’ll feel smoother transitions — paired with a crisp little haptic buzz that makes it all the more satisfying.
The new UI brings in Live Updates — a lock screen feature that gives you real-time info at a glance, from live match scores to Uber and food delivery updates. Google’s also dialing up the visual polish with bolder type, dynamic colour themes, and more responsive elements across the board.
Quick Settings gets more flexible, letting you prioritize actions like Flashlight or Do Not Disturb. Notifications are also revamped to ensure important alerts never get lost in the mix.
What About Wear OS 6?
The new fluid design language isn’t just for phones — it’s coming to smartwatches too. Wear OS 6 gets a UI refresh built specifically for round displays, making the experience feel more personal and intuitive. Expect better glanceability, colour theming, and elements that are easier to tap and navigate.
Animations now follow the curve of the screen, with fluid scrolls and shape-shifting elements that add depth and improve accessibility. Dynamic color theming ties it all together — creating a seamless, consistent vibe from the watch face to every interaction.
Buttons now “hug” the edges of the display, making them easier to tap on the go. Tiles have been refined too — giving you quicker access to essentials like messages, workouts, or whatever you check most.
Wear OS 6 is bringing solid performance boosts too, with up to 10% longer battery life, so you can get more from your smartwatch throughout the day.
Both Android 16 and Wear OS 6 will roll out later this fall, starting with Pixel devices.
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