What’s Changing?
Google’s Phone app is undergoing a bold redesign under its Material 3 Expressive design language, including:
Merging Favorites and Recents into a unified Home tab
Introducing Incoming Call Gesture options—either single-tap buttons or a horizontal swipe pill
Employing larger pill-shaped buttons for in-call actions, with prominent contact imagery and a cleaner layout
Advantages of the Redesign
1. Fresh, Visually Engaging Design
Material 3 Expressive introduces rounded shapes, dynamic motion, and expanded color themes—making the Phone app feel lively and modern. This youthful aesthetic aligns with Google's vision to create emotionally resonant interfaces.
2. Flexible Interaction Options
Users gain the flexibility to choose between tap or swipe to answer or decline calls—catering to different usage habits and preferences.
3. More Organized Navigation
Combining key functions like Favorites and Recents into a single Home screen results in a more streamlined, intuitive layout. The revamped design reduces clutter and highlights contacts and call history efficiently.
4. Backed by Extensive Research
Material 3 Expressive is Google’s most tested design overhaul—tried and refined through 46 research rounds and feedback from over 18,000 participants. Google claims users can locate UI elements up to four times faster compared to earlier designs.
5. overwhelmingly positive user response
A recent Android Authority survey shows that over 65% of users express some level of satisfaction with the redesign—ranging from "big fan" to liking specific aspects.
Drawbacks & Usability Concerns
1. Gesture Ambiguity
The pill slider may visually suggest tapping due to its central button, leading to confusion between tapping and swiping interactions. This ambiguity can slow or confuse users during critical moments.
2. Reduced Visual Hierarchy in Critical Actions
During an ongoing call, all action buttons—End Call, Mute, Speaker—now appear visually uniform, which can make fast decision-making harder in time-sensitive contexts.
3. Common Actions Are Less Accessible
Important features like Call Hold, Record, or Add Call are now hidden behind additional taps or menus, introducing friction during urgent situations.
4. Transition Effort for Users
The new tab structure and visual style diverge significantly from the legacy Phone app. Users may need time to relearn navigation and gestures, impacting availability during the adjustment phase.
