Gmail’s Look Transformed with Material 3 Expressive in Android 15

If you've used Gmail on Android, you probably noticed things look a little different these days. With Android 15 and the rollout of Material 3 Expressive (sometimes called “Material You 2.0”), Gmail’s interface has undergone subtle yet impactful changes—from rounded containers to playful animations. In this post, we’ll explore exactly what’s new, why it matters, and what it feels like in real use.

1. What Is Material 3 Expressive?

First up, let's talk about what Material 3 Expressive actually is. It’s the latest iteration of Google’s Material design language, introduced during the Android Show: I/O Edition in May 2025. Think of it as Material You, but dialed up with more motion, personality, and accessibility improvements.

According to Google, the design is “more expressive,” blending dynamic color themes, smooth motion-based transitions, and visual cues that make interfaces feel alive—like springy animations or interactive haptics when you dismiss a notification. Independent studies suggest changes improve usability: users locate elements up to four times faster, and older adults perform on par with younger users in interface comprehension.

2. How Gmail Looks Differently in Android 15

Gmail isn’t getting a total makeover—yet—but what’s changed is noticeable and smart.

• Rounded containers for email lists: Your inbox list now sits inside softly rounded card-like containers, subtly framing each group of mail for clarity.
• Pill-shaped swipe animations: Swipe to archive or delete, and the animation now feels more vibrant—shaped like a pill instead of just a flat slide.
• Thicker, more visible search bar and app bar: The search field is bolder and thicker, with the hamburger icon and profile switch moved outside the field, making it clearer and easier to tap.

That’s not quite a full redesign—compose screens and widgets are untouched so far—but the interface feels more cohesive with the rest of Android’s evolving look.

Real-world Example

I just updated to the newest Gmail version on my Pixel 9 Pro running Android 15 last week. My inbox now shows each email thread nestled in a soft, rounded “card.” Swiping to archive an email isn’t just a swipe—it wobbles with a pill-shaped bounce. The search bar feels more beefy and prominent. It’s such a small lift, but the experience feels smoother and friendlier—especially when I’m scanning dozens of emails a day.

3. Why These Changes Matter (LSI Keywords: UI usability, user interface redesign, Gmail styling, Android UI refinement)

Let’s break down why these seemingly mild visual tweaks are actually meaningful:

• Improved readability: Containers help emails stand out against a busy background, making it easier to distinguish between threads and sections.
• Enhanced tap targets: Rounded elements and pill-shaped buttons increase touch area, which aids accessibility—especially for users with larger fingers or motor challenges.
• Design consistency: Gmail now better aligns visually with apps like Drive, Messages, and Calendar, which have adopted similar expressive Material 3 elements.
• Emotional engagement: These springy animations add delight to routine tasks—something UX designers refer to as micro-interactions, which build stronger emotional connection with the interface.

4. What’s Rolling Out Beyond Gmail?

Gmail isn’t alone in this. Material 3 Expressive is being gradually rolled out across many Google apps in Android 15. According to 9to5Google’s updated list (as of August 24, 2025):

• **Already rolling out:** Gmail, Google Drive, Messages, Clock, Calculator, Wallet, Digital Wellbeing, Google One, Recorder, Pixel Weather.
• Other apps launched/update soon: Keep, Phone by Google, Photos, Calendar, Meet, Contacts, Docs/Sheets/Slides, Files, Password Manager, and more.

For example, Google Drive uses a search app bar and container styling for the content view; Messages applies pill-shaped menu options and rounded threaded containers; Calendar now features thick containers around time slots.

5. From a UX Perspective: Is It Truly Better?

Here's a little personal UX reflection:

Design is often about nuance. A UX designer friend recently told me how expressive UI elements can sometimes feel gimmicky—but Gmail’s tweak doesn't fall into that trap. Instead, it gently elevates the experience. The graphical hierarchy is clearer. Container backgrounds separate elements visually, and swipe animations provide instant feedback. My productivity remains unchanged—but my eyes and fingers are less fatigued.

What’s more, studies referenced by The Verge suggest Material 3 Expressive helps users of all ages—those over 45—find interface elements just as quickly as younger users. That speaks volumes for accessibility and inclusion.

6. What’s Still Untouched (Compose Screen, Widgets, AI Integration)

There are still parts of Gmail that haven’t received the Material 3 Expressive treatment:

• **Compose screen:** Layout and buttons haven’t changed yet.
• **Home-screen widget:** The Gmail widget remains in the previous design style.

However, Gmail continues to evolve on other fronts. For example, on Android tablets and foldables, Gmail now offers a resizable divider in landscape mode so users can drag to adjust the list and conversation panes, or collapse into a single-pane view—great ergonomics for multitaskers.

Also, Workspace users are getting access to Gemini’s AI image generator right inside Gmail’s sidebar—so you can generate visuals on the fly and embed them into your drafts. This doesn’t change the UI visually but does increase Gmail’s creative power.

7. Summary Table: Before vs. After in Gmail UI

Aspect	Before (Android 14, Material You)	Now (Android 15, Material 3 Expressive)
Email list container	Flat list, minimal border	Rounded cards with clear boundaries
Swipe action animation	Straight slide	Pill-shaped, springy animation
Search/app bar	Thin bar, icons inside field	Thicker, icons outside search field
Compose screen	Standard layout	No change yet
Widget	Legacy style	Legacy style (no change yet)

8. Final Thoughts

Material 3 Expressive in Android 15 doesn’t reinvent Gmail—but it refines it. Rounded containers, pill animations, and enhanced search bar design might seem subtle, but these enhancements are solid work rooted in user research and inclusive principles. As Gmail leans further into expressive design, expect more consistent behaviour across other Google apps and even deeper support for accessibility and user delight.

If you’re using Gmail daily—whether it’s for work, personal mail, or managing a growing inbox—these UI tweaks contribute to less visual clutter, clearer interactions, and a more natural, playful feel.

Conclusion

In short, Gmail’s UI refresh with Material 3 Expressive in Android 15 is a subtle but meaningful upgrade. We see cleaner containers, animated swipe feedback, and a more solid search bar—design choices that improve readability, ease of use, and emotional connection. While features like the compose screen and widgets haven't changed yet, improvements such as tablet layout flexibility and AI integration continue to drive Gmail forward. As Google continues rolling out expressive design across its apps, the experience is likely to feel more cohesive, accessible, and delightfully dynamic.

Whether you're a casual user or a productivity powerhouse, these thoughtful UI refinements are worth appreciating.