In 2025, both Apple and Google are set to introduce significant revisions to their operating system design languages. Notably, Google's Material 3 Expressive has garnered positive feedback, particularly in its application across various devices such as phones, tablets, and watches. However, the updates to Google's first-party applications appear to be minor rather than transformative.
The aim of the Material 3 Expressive design is to enhance user experience by introducing a more cohesive interface. Despite this goal, many users feel that the update resembles a mid-level iteration, akin to Material 3.5, rather than a full-fledged redesign. For instance, the search app bar has undergone changes that have shifted essential buttons outside the search container, leading to a less uniform look.
Furthermore, inconsistencies arise with applications like Contacts and Phone, which lack features such as a hamburger menu or profile switcher, highlighting the need for greater coherence across Google’s apps. Additionally, the transition from a tall bottom navigation bar to a shorter one has not significantly improved usability, raising questions about design choices that appear to contradict the aim for larger touch targets.