Android’s Liquid Glass scrapped, at least for Pixels
▼ Summary
– Google’s President of Android, Sameer Samat, confirmed that Apple’s Liquid Glass design is “not happening” on Android.
– Samat made the statement in response to a mockup showing Liquid Glass on a Pixel device.
– Google has invested heavily in its Material Design language, with Material 3 Expressive offering a unique look that works better for users.
– Other Android brands like Oppo, Xiaomi, and Samsung have adopted design changes from Apple’s iPhone.
– Google is expected to introduce more blur to Android 17, but blur is distinct from Apple’s Liquid Glass design.
Apple’s Liquid Glass overhaul has sparked plenty of debate among iOS users, but Android fans can breathe easy. Google’s President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, has flatly denied that the design language is coming to Android, let alone Pixel devices. When a fan mockup surfaced showing what Liquid Glass might look like on a Pixel, Samat responded directly on Twitter/X with a clear message: “Not happening! Y’all are wild.”
This rejection should not come as a surprise. Google has poured significant resources into its own Material Design philosophy over the years. The latest iteration, Material 3 Expressive, has given Android a distinctive visual identity that the company believes genuinely resonates with users. Google isn’t about to abandon that investment.
Yet some of the biggest names in the Android ecosystem seem eager to borrow from Apple’s playbook. Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and even Samsung have all layered their custom Android skins with design cues lifted directly from iOS. Oppo’s ColorOS is now heavy on glass-like UI effects, while Samsung has embraced floating buttons and menu layouts that feel unmistakably Apple-inspired.
Google is expected to introduce more blur effects in Android 17, but that doesn’t mean a full Liquid Glass conversion is in the cards. Apple’s design language goes far beyond simple UI blur, and Google appears committed to forging its own path.
The bigger picture for Android’s design future will likely come into focus at “The Android Show,” where Google has teased that this year’s event will be “one of the biggest years for Android yet.” Full coverage kicks off on May 12.
(Source: 9to5google.com)
