Material 3 Expressive is making Android and Wear OS more fun

[Luke Friend]

Google’s been quietly fine-tuning its Material Design system for years, but with Material 3 Expressive, it looks like the biggest shake-up is finally here — and it’s aiming straight for a younger, more playful vibe. Think bouncier animations, fresher typography, and brighter, more vibrant colors that make Android 16 and Wear OS 6 feel way more fun and alive. In screenshots and demos, everything just looks more fluid and modern, like your phone actually wants to be used. Android 16 also brings more Quick Settings customization and the option to drop apps and widgets wherever you want on your home screen grid, which is always a win. Of course, the real test will be whether app developers jump on board — because the best design language in the world won’t matter if no one uses it.