Google accidentally showed off upcoming Material 3 Expressive UI for Pixel phones

A recent slip-up by Google briefly pulled back the curtain on a significant evolution of its design language. Details about “Material 3 Expressive,” a new direction for Android’s user interface, surfaced in an accidentally published blog post, giving us a sneak peek at what might be in store for Pixel phones and potentially Android 16.

According to the post, spotted and saved by outlets like 9to5Google before being taken down, Material 3 Expressive is the result of extensive research, described as the “most-researched update” to Google’s design system ever. The goal appears to be moving beyond current “clean” interfaces to create designs that foster a stronger emotional connection with users. This new system, sometimes referred to as M3 Expressive, aims for a bolder look.

The leaked information highlights that expressive design relies heavily on “bold use of shape and color.” These elements are not just for aesthetics Google claims they improve usability by drawing attention to crucial parts of the interface. One concept shown was a “floating toolbar,” a pill-shaped bar at the bottom of the screen that doesn’t stretch edge-to-edge, allowing more background to show.

Google’s research involved dozens of rounds of design and studies with thousands of participants. Findings suggested that expressive designs are easier to use, helping people spot key actions much faster. For example, one test showed users finding a “Send” button up to four times quicker in an expressive layout compared to the current style. Beyond just speed, the research also indicated a strong preference for expressive designs and even a boost in how “cool” and modern people perceived products using the new system.

While these are still concepts and not final designs, they offer a compelling look at where Android’s interface could be heading. This evolution builds upon the personalization introduced with Material You (Material 3), aiming to make the user experience both more intuitive and visually engaging. The timing of the leak, ahead of Google’s annual developer conference, suggests Material 3 Expressive will likely be a key topic, potentially debuting more formally and making its way to users starting with upcoming Pixel devices and the next version of Android.

Speaking of which, last week we also highlighted a revamped UI that’s hidden in the latest Android 16 build. That said, let me know if you’re excited about this new UI or not.