Android 16: Major redesign of the user interface expected

Contents

New design elements have been discovered in the fourth beta version of Android 16 that have not yet been used by Google. An Android tinkerer has been able to activate the dormant design. The look, which is somewhat reminiscent of iOS, is likely to be called "Material 3 Expressive".

On May 13, Google plans to present innovations relating to the major update to Android 16 at an Android show before Google I/O and possibly also show functions that will make it onto older versions of the mobile operating system. Last year, for example, the new anti-theft protection was also delivered for devices up to Android 10.

"The future of UX design from Google"

The fourth beta version of Android 16 is now available for Pixel devices to try out, and so far, contains a fairly manageable range of new functions. These include the so-called "Live Activities", which can be used to display delivery times for ordering services or the arrival of a transport service in real time in the status bar and on the lock screen. In addition, all apps will in future fill the screen on all screen sizes and be freely resizable for multitasking.

Google has only hinted at a revised design in the program of the Google I/O developer conference, which will take place on 20 and 21 May 2025. During a session at the developer conference, the company will provide information about "Material 3 Expressive", which the company describes as "the future of Google's UX design". The company has not yet revealed any details. However, Android expert Mishaal Rahman has been able to activate some design changes in the fourth beta.

Android 16: Design changes are somewhat reminiscent of iOS or HyperOS

As Rahman writes on Android Authority, Google will use the redesign to give quick settings and other areas a background blur, among other things. In addition, thinner and less round sliders for the volume will be introduced. The discovered design also indicates that new icons and fonts will move into the status bar and much more. New, livelier system animations are apparently also part of the redesign.

Google had already hinted at the background blur, which looks like frosted glass, in the announcement video for the Android Show.

While the basic layout of the user interface remains largely similar, Google will change the look and feel, says Rahman. Instead of a continuous black background, the panel will in future display a blurred version of the content underneath. In addition, the blurring effect under the quick settings tiles will be less pronounced than in the notification area. This should help to ensure that notifications remain legible even when transparent.

In light mode, the background is given a matte glass look, while the background in dark mode and the sliders are tinted a darker gray. A certain transparency would be applied to both.

This background blurring is basically only an innovation for Google's Android. Other manufacturers such as Xiaomi or Apple have been using such blurring effects in their user interfaces for some time.

New for the lock screen

The layout of the lock screen is also apparently being changed in a subtle way. At least on the Pixel lock screen, the date and weather information will be moved either below or next to the clock and the contextual information will be moved to a different position.

In addition to the layout change on the lock screen, a compact notification bar will also be introduced to reduce the size of notifications. Instead of a full notification preview, only the app icon will be displayed in a small, slightly transparent chip. This is located under the contextual information complication and should not obscure the background image.

A tap on the chip enlarges the notification screen so that all new notifications are displayed. According to Android Authority, this view is not activated by default.

Android 16: Final version expected in June

Because Google wants to discuss the next Material Design generation at I/O, it is highly likely that it will also be part of Android 16, although the design changes are still dormant. However, it is questionable whether Google will release all visual innovations with the release of Android 16 or at a later date.

Android Authority is also concerned about this, as functions were already hidden in older versions that were only made available with a later update. In addition, there will be another, smaller update in the fall that will have new functions on board. The final version of Android 16 is expected in June.

(afl)