Android 16 and Wear OS 6 Get a Major Redesign with Material 3 Expressive

Kattiya Jantas
6 days ago
2 min read

Google has announced a major update to Android 16 and Wear OS 6, introducing a brand-new design language called Material 3 Expressive. This update brings a smoother, more personalized experience with better at-a-glance information—significantly improving the usability of both smartphones and smartwatches. The update will begin rolling out for testing on Pixel devices later this year.

Android 16 and Wear OS 6 Get a Major Redesign with Material 3 Expressive (Image From Google)

What Is Material 3 Expressive?

Material 3 Expressive is an evolution of Material You, designed to give users greater flexibility in UI customization. It includes smoother animations, modern responsiveness, and a more vibrant interface that feels alive and intuitive.

Android Highlights

More Customization: Dynamically choose color themes, fonts, and UI components to match your style.
Smooth Animations: Swipe notifications, adjust volume, or close apps with fluid, tactile animations and realistic haptics.
Improved Quick Settings: Easily access frequently used shortcuts like Flashlight or Do Not Disturb with more customization options.
Live Updates: A new feature that shows real-time statuses from apps—for example, tracking your Uber Eats order directly from the home screen.

Google plans to bring this new design to its most popular apps like Google Photos, Gmail, and Fitbit for a unified experience across the system.

Wear OS Highlights

Designed for Round Displays: Menus and animations now curve naturally with the watch screen.
System-Wide Color Themes: Pick a watch face color, and the theme will automatically adapt across the system.
More Functional Glanceable Buttons and Tiles: Buttons are now more tap-friendly and optimized for screen space—showing essentials like favorite contacts or workout starters.
Performance Enhancements: Wear OS 6 offers up to 10% better battery life for longer usage.

When Will It Be Available?

Google says Android 16 and Wear OS 6 will be available for early access on Pixel devices in 2025, with broader rollout to other devices coming soon.

This update emphasizes personalization, smooth interactions, and quick, meaningful information access—perfect for users who want both beauty and performance in their daily experience.

Source: Google Blog