Google accidentally leaks the next big redesign of Android, here's what it revealed

Android

Google has unintentionally revealed its next major Android design overhaul—Material 3 Expressive—via a blog post that was swiftly deleted but not before being archived and picked up by 9to5Google.

Described as Google’s “most researched” design system to date, Material 3 Expressive aims to make Android more intuitive and accessible through refined use of color, motion, shape, and scale. The redesign will take center stage at Google I/O later this month.

According to the now-deleted post, the new design language emerged from an intensive research phase involving 46 studies and over 18,000 participants. Google focused on real-world usability metrics—such as eye tracking, tap time, and cognitive load—to fine-tune every detail, right down to which progress bar made time feel faster.

In one standout claim, Google said that users were able to locate interface elements up to four times faster using Material 3 Expressive compared to the current Material 3 design. The update also notably improved performance among older users: participants over 45 found UI elements just as quickly as their younger counterparts—an unusual feat in usability testing.

Beyond speed and clarity, Google is also focusing on emotional engagement. The new aesthetic leans into more vivid visuals and animated transitions to make the interface feel alive without being overwhelming. Though images from the blog were only partially preserved, screenshots shared by 9to5Google reveal vibrant UI elements, larger buttons, and more fluid movement throughout the system.

Material 3 Expressive is expected to roll out gradually across Google products, starting with Android.