What the Material 3 Expressive Update Means for Google Phone Users
The Google Phone beta is getting a fresh upgrade with the Material 3 Expressive redesign, offering users a cleaner, more modern experience. This update, currently rolling out in stages with version 185, has sparked curiosity among Android enthusiasts wondering what’s new, how the interface has changed, and how it compares to other mobile UI trends in 2025. With Material 3 Expressive (M3E), Google aims to improve app organization and usability, making everyday calling and contact management easier. If you’ve been waiting to see what’s changing in the Google Phone app, this breakdown highlights all the latest updates and their benefits.
Material 3 Expressive Redesign: A Cleaner, Smarter Layout
The Material 3 Expressive redesign focuses on creating a visually appealing interface while simplifying navigation. Google has merged the “Favorites” and “Recents” tabs into a single Home feed, featuring a convenient carousel for frequently contacted numbers at the top. The familiar floating action button (FAB) dialer is gone, replaced with a Keypad tab in the bottom navigation bar. This change aligns the Phone app with other Google apps adopting Material 3 principles, emphasizing accessibility and intuitive interaction.
Interestingly, these updates mirror some of the design trends seen in iOS 26, including its new Liquid Glass interface. By revamping the layout, Google ensures that users can quickly access recent calls, contacts, and voicemail without clutter or confusion. The visual hierarchy of M3E makes the app feel smoother and more modern while keeping critical features front and center.
Navigation and Usability Improvements in the Beta
Beyond the redesigned Home feed, the beta introduces a streamlined navigation drawer for secondary actions. Users can now access Contacts, Settings, Clear Call History, and Help & Feedback directly from the drawer. The Voicemail tab remains unchanged, maintaining easy access for those who rely on voice messages.
However, the staged rollout means that not all users are seeing the same interface. Some testers only have the Material 3 visual redesign with the old navigation structure, while others see the complete layout revamp. This piecemeal release can feel confusing, but it reflects Google’s careful approach to testing major UI changes before a full public launch. For early adopters, the redesign offers a glimpse into how the Google Phone app is evolving to better support productivity and ease of use in 2025.
Why Material 3 Expressive Matters for Android Users
The Material 3 Expressive redesign is more than just a visual update—it reflects Google’s ongoing strategy to unify the Android ecosystem with modern, accessible design standards. For users, this means less friction when managing calls and a more personalized experience that emphasizes frequently used actions. For developers and beta testers, it signals the direction Google is taking with app consistency and cross-platform familiarity, particularly as other Google services adopt similar UI improvements.
With competition from Apple and third-party dialer apps, the refreshed Google Phone app also strengthens user retention by ensuring Android’s native experience remains polished and efficient. As the beta rollout continues, users can expect a more stable release in the coming weeks, along with potential refinements based on feedback from this phased testing.
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