Google accidentally reveals new Android design language, Material 3 Expressive: Here's what changes it may bring to Android 16

Google accidentally revealed the details about its upcoming Android design language, Material 3 Expressive , ahead of the official announcement. The details, which were found in a now-deleted blog post, highlight Google's focus on creating a more emotionally engaging and user-friendly interface. The Material 3 Expressive design language is set to debut at Google I/O 2025 . The annual Google event is scheduled to take place on May 20-21 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. The event will include livestreamed keynotes, developer sessions, and product announcements around Android 16 and Google’s other innovations.

Google I/O: A more expressive Android version is comingMaterial 3 Expressive is described as the "most-researched update" to Google's design system. Google reportedly conducted 46 separate research studies with over 18,000 participants globally. These studies included eye-tracking analysis, surveys, focus groups, and usability tests.

The research indicates that Material 3 Expressive helps users identify key UI elements up to four times faster than previous designs. Google also found that the new design can positively influence how users perceive an app, making it feel more modern, relevant, and innovative.

The core elements of Material 3 Expressive include colour, shape, size, motion, and containment. Google aims to use these elements to draw attention to important aspects of the interface and improve overall usability.

While the blog post was quickly taken down, the accidental reveal has generated excitement about the future of Android design.


Google I/O 2025: Dates and other detailsGoogle’s annual I/O developer conference will take place on May 20-21, 2025, at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. The two-day event will be available both in-person and online, featuring keynotes, technical sessions, and demonstrations focused on AI innovations and Android developments.

The conference will begin with CEO Sundar Pichai's keynote address at 10 AM PT on May 20, followed by a developer keynote and technical sessions. In a new format change, Google will stream developer product keynotes live from Shoreline across both conference days.

Google's announcement hints at significant updates to its Gemini AI platform , Android 16 operating system, and cloud development tools. The timing notably overlaps with Microsoft's Build conference scheduled for May 19-22, and it doesn't seem like a mistake but an intentional move as both tech giants race to showcase their latest AI innovations.