Material 3 Expressive, the newest design update to Android, is slowly but surely being rolled out to more of Google’s apps, and it seems like the Google Play Store is next.
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Material 3 Expressive brings what I love about Android into the modern day
A UI redesign for the users
Contained within Play Store version 46.5.19, and spotted by Telegram user @Leontylerz, an update has added the Material 3 Expressive design to the app’s search menu (via Android Authority).
Colorful and vibrant
It’s a welcome change from the previously staid design
Android has been through a number of design changes over the years, and the most recent has seen a minimalist approach to iconography. While this is clean and unobtrusive, it’s true it lacks a certain amount of punch. That’s certainly not something you can accuse Material 3 Expressive of, with its bright colors and highly contrasting icons. You can see the changes below, courtesy of @Leontylerz and Android Authority.
The icons haven’t had a massive overhaul in terms of their general silhouette, but the changes elsewhere are certainly dramatic. One of the big advantages here is a big increase in readability that makes each individual symbol stand out. It’s now much easier to quickly find the symbol you want from a glance, as each is now more individually distinct from its neighbors. We’ll be seeing a lot more of this style too, as Material 3 Expressive centers around user customization, visual hierarchy, and eye-popping color. Personally, it’s a change for the positive.
It’s entirely likely you won’t see this change yet, as it’s slowly rolling out to users across Android. We’ve already spotted Material 3 Expressive changes being made to other apps, like the Google app and the Clock app, and so, it’s only likely a matter of time before we start seeing it in other parts of Android too.
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Material 3 Expressive will finally bring dynamic themes to Wear OS later this year
Pixel Watch will get it first
