I’m excited about Google’s Material 3 Expressive. From early previews, it’s clear that Google has done an excellent job of creating a clean aesthetic, making notable improvements over the outgoing Material You. It’s also off to a much better start than the much-maligned Liquid Glass on iOS 26, showing how far Google has come with its software. Although Material 3 Expressive will debut on Android 16, it wasn’t part of the initial launch, as Google held it back for a future update.
I know some may be disappointed, mainly from excitement, but it’s the right move. Google learned from past mistakes, and giving Android 16 time to breathe on its own avoids potential pitfalls. Google is wise to separate the Android 16 launch from Material 3 Expressive; here’s why.
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Material 3 Expressive is getting me excited about Android updates again
Will it land with Android 16?
History doesn’t have to repeat itself
I remember the Pixel 6
The launch of the Google Pixel 6 was a disaster. The company debuted its new Tensor chipset, Material You, and Android 12 simultaneously, a recipe for heartburn. Android 12 felt half-baked, with constant crashes requiring several hard restarts daily. The Pixel 6 also had hardware issues, plagued by a fickle fingerprint sensor and poor Wi-Fi connectivity. It overheated, a result of its Tensor chipset.
Because all of these features were released simultaneously, it was difficult to pinpoint where the problems lay. Since the Pixel 6 launched with Android 12, there was no previous version to revert to until the bugs were ironed out.
Google isn’t about to repeat that mistake. Android 16 stable launched this week, but Material 3 Expressive is expected in an update later this year. It gives Google a chance to identify any issues directly tied to Android 16, and rolling out one update at a time makes more sense. I’m excited about Material 3 Expressive, but I want to ensure Android 16 runs well first.
It clears a path for the Pixel 10 launch
Features to look forward to
Rumors suggest that the Pixel 10 won’t receive any significant design changes, with leaked photos showing its appearance to be almost identical to that of the Pixel 9. Material 3 Expressive will give Pixel fans something to get excited about on the new devices, as the company’s software was desperately in need of a visual overhaul. A fresh UI look might give the Pixel 10 a boost, certainly more of one than if it were already available for months on older hardware. It also ensures that Android 16 runs smoothly before it’s introduced on new hardware, thereby avoiding any potential issues.
Google’s done a better job than any Android manufacturer of listening to user complaints and addressing them.
Google held back Android 15, opting not to launch it with the Pixel 9. It was a smart move, giving the Pixel 9 a chance to be reviewed and discussed on software the company knew was solid. Google is doing the opposite this year, but the idea remains the same. Phones shouldn’t debut with new versions of Android, unless you’re willing to risk problems immediately after launch.
Google needs to stay the course
I’m surprised by its continued Pixel success
Google’s done a better job than any Android manufacturer of listening to user complaints and addressing them. The company’s Super Actua technology addresses a long-standing issue I’ve had with its smartphone displays, and its Tensor chipsets have improved with each successive generation. Battery life on Pixel smartphones is excellent, and the user experience continues to improve. I’m confident Google will do the right thing with Pixel, something I couldn’t have written just two years ago.
I’m pleased Google isn’t caving to vocal enthusiasts who complain about benchmarks or raw performance. The company understands that most users don’t care, and it can provide something different from the competition. Not every smartphone release must appeal to everyone, and Google lost ground previously when it tried to match Samsung and OnePlus spec for spec.
I’m willing to wait a bit longer
The enthusiast in me was disappointed to learn that Material 3 Expressive isn’t included with Android 16 at launch. Thankfully, my brain took over, and I realized it’s what’s best for the users and the company. Google has done an excellent job over the last two years with its midrange and flagship smartphones, and I’m looking forward to more of the same. Material 3 Expressive looks fantastic, and I’m willing to wait a little longer to try it out.
