Android’s Fresh Design Revolutionizes Call Experience
▼ Summary
– Google is updating its Phone app with a new interface to simplify contact and call access, rolling out gradually to beta users with Material 3 design changes.
– The app’s bottom menu now features three tabs (“Home,” “Keypad,” and “Voicemail”) instead of four, with favorites displayed in bubbles and a non-nested call log.
– A new horizontal swipe gesture is being tested to answer or decline calls, aimed at reducing accidental actions when handling the phone.
– Visual updates include a whimsical, lumpy circle framing contacts on the incoming call page.
– Google delayed the Material 3 Expressive redesign to September but introduced a “Pixel VIP” widget for Pixel phones to display detailed contact info.
Google is giving its Phone app a sleek makeover, introducing a cleaner layout and fresh features designed to simplify calling. Currently in beta testing, the update brings Android’s Material 3 Expressive design language to the forefront, offering a more vibrant and intuitive user experience.
The revamped interface streamlines navigation by condensing the bottom menu bar from four tabs to just three: Home, Keypad, and Voicemail. The new Home tab displays favorites in floating bubbles at the top, followed by a redesigned call log that lists every call individually, no more grouped entries, even for repeat callers. This change makes it easier to track missed calls or frequent contacts at a glance.
One of the standout additions is a new swipe gesture for answering or declining calls. Google claims this tweak reduces accidental interactions, especially when pulling a phone from a pocket. The incoming call screen also gets a playful twist, framing contact photos in irregular, organic-shaped circles for a more dynamic look.
While Android 16 debuted earlier this month without the full Material 3 overhaul, the broader redesign is slated for September. Meanwhile, Pixel users can enjoy the new Pixel VIP widget, which surfaces detailed contact info like location history, call logs, and personal notes for quick access.
These refinements reflect Google’s push toward a more visually engaging and user-friendly calling experience, blending functionality with a touch of personality. As the update rolls out gradually, beta testers will help shape its final form before a wider release.
(Source: The Verge)
