Android 16 is coming quickly, and it’ll introduce a few of the largest visible adjustments we’ve ever seen to Google’s telephone software program.
The brand new ‘Materials 3 Expressive’ design is a dramatic refresh of the acquainted Android expertise, which goals to make your system really feel extra “distinctive to you”. Utilizing parts of color, form and movement, Google says it “conjures up emotion, communicates operate, and helps customers obtain their objectives”.
The audience for this new design isn’t any secret: it’s Gen Z. In an official weblog publish, Google particularly highlights the excessive approval charges for this so-called “expressive design” amongst individuals aged 18-24.
At 27, I don’t fairly fall into that class, although I’m nearly younger sufficient to be thought of Gen Z. As somebody who already makes use of Android day-after-day, Google doesn’t have to persuade me to make the swap, nevertheless it clearly desires to tempt different younger individuals away from the iPhone.
Nevertheless, primarily based on the screenshots, movies and GIFs already shared, I consider the corporate is taking the improper method. Right here’s why.
If it ain’t broke…
Google clearly thinks that it must make huge adjustments to make Android 16 enchantment to Gen Z. My argument is that it has already achieved that.
As the corporate itself acknowledges, the introduction of the unique ‘Materials You’ in 2021 has been a hit. Android 15 feels extra responsive and intuitive than previous variations, with simply the suitable degree of customisation and a few distinctive design parts.
By dramatically rising how “expressive” Android 16 is, Google dangers ruining what makes Android so good: subtlety.
One of many important causes I persistently advocate Pixel telephones is that they’re really easy to make use of. Till now, Google’s method to software program has been comparatively stripped again, providing a powerful core expertise that gives the whole lot you want with out making you soar by means of too many hoops.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Materials 3 Expressive threatens to undo that by choosing garish colors and over-the-top animations. Android 16 seems enjoyable and funky, however how sensible will it actually be?
Now, I is likely to be within the minority right here, particularly amongst individuals of the same age. However I can’t envision a world the place Gen Z will flock to Android simply because, in Google’s phrases, it “makes you are feeling one thing”.
What about consistency?
From a visible standpoint, I can’t deny that Materials 3 Expressive has so much going for it. In all of Google’s official photographs, movies and GIFs, Android 16 seems gorgeous, with intelligent design parts and system apps that seem to have been constructed from the bottom up.
The issue? That received’t be a constant expertise for you, whatever the system you select.
On Pixel telephones, the place the software program is more likely to carefully align with this, Materials 3 Expressive will apply to most parts which might be designed by Google itself. However even then, it is likely to be some time earlier than all of its apps are up to date.
In the case of third-party apps? The expertise is more likely to fluctuate. Loads.
At the same time as somebody closely invested within the Google ecosystem, a big chunk of my telephone utilization is on apps made by different firms. How shortly will they adapt to this new design, if in any respect?
The likes of Microsoft, Meta and Amazon all have their very own priorities, whereas smaller firms received’t wish to spend huge sums of cash making their apps extra ‘expressive’.
Consequently, an inconsistent expertise is nearly inevitable. It’s already the case on Android 15, however the distinction with Materials 3 Expressive might be much more jarring.
That’s earlier than we even get to the truth that Google is way from the most important title in terms of Android telephone {hardware}. I can’t see the likes of Samsung, Xiaomi and Oppo (all of which have a bigger market share, in accordance with StatCounter) being absolutely in alignment with Google on this.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
What about older individuals?
I completely get why Google desires to focus on the subsequent era of Android customers, however I believe Materials 3 Expressive dangers alienating a lot of its present customers within the course of.
In an official publish, Google cited its personal survey, the place 87% of respondents aged 18-24 favoured an ‘expressive’ design. For my cohort, 25-34, the determine was 81%.
Nevertheless, that determine drops sharply amongst these aged 35 and older, with simply over half (52%) of respondents within the 55-64 class indicating approval. Evidently nobody over 64 was even requested.
It’s additionally not clear how the query was phrased. Do individuals merely like the concept of ‘expressive’ design, or is there some extent of approval for Google’s particular imaginative and prescient?
I perceive that Apple has the clear higher hand in terms of customers aged 34 and underneath within the US (as of December 2021, in accordance with Statista). However the causes most individuals use an iPhone go far past design: iMessage, FaceTime, the highly effective Apple ecosystem, peer strain. A brand new lick of paint and animations in Android 16 are unlikely to vary that.
On the identical time, I believe extra individuals aged 35 and over, who type the bedrock of Android’s present person base, might be delay by the brand new design and probably soar ship.
Even when they keep on with Android, it’s extra more likely to be One UI 8 on Samsung Galaxy telephones than a Pixel system.
In different phrases, Materials 3 Expressive is a giant danger for Google and will find yourself doing extra hurt than good. I actually hope I’m improper and that it brings the ability of Android units to extra individuals of all ages, however I simply can’t see it occurring.