Google deepens its visual shift after Material 3 Expressive
Google is continuing its visual evolution of Android by significantly expanding blur effects in Android 17. Following last year’s Material 3 Expressive redesign on phones, internal builds of the operating system show a broader use of translucency across core system interfaces.
System-level flags explicitly reference this new direction as “blur,” signaling a deliberate design choice rather than an experimental feature. The goal appears to be adding depth and visual continuity without radically changing how Android functions.
Translucent system elements replace solid backgrounds
In Android 17, many system UI components are expected to shift from flat light or dark panels to blurred surfaces that reveal content behind them. This applies to frequently used elements such as the volume bar, power menu, and expanded volume controls.
The volume interface, for example, now sits within a pill-shaped translucent container. When used on the home screen, the blur reveals wallpaper and app icons beneath. Inside apps, users can faintly see the active interface behind the slider, creating a more layered experience.
Dynamic Color integration shapes the blur
The blur effects are not neutral overlays. Instead, they are tinted by Android’s Dynamic Color system, allowing the translucency to adapt to the user’s theme and wallpaper. This maintains consistency with Material You principles while avoiding visual clutter.
Despite the added depth, Android 17 remains a restrained update. The overall layout, navigation, and behavior of the interface remain largely unchanged from Android 16, positioning this release as a refinement rather than a redesign.
Building on Android 16’s notification redesign
Google first introduced blur in Android 16 QPR1 with the updated Notifications and Quick Settings panels. At the time, the company explained that subtle background blur helped convey motion, lightness, and awareness of background activity.
Android 17 extends this philosophy across more system surfaces, reinforcing a consistent sense of depth throughout the operating system.
Subtle approach compared to iOS translucency
While Apple’s iOS employs more pronounced glass-like effects, Android 17’s blur is noticeably more understated. The translucency is designed to support usability rather than dominate the visual experience.
For now, blur remains a system-only feature. It is not part of Material 3 Expressive guidelines for third-party apps, and it is unclear whether Google plans to encourage developers to adopt similar translucency in future updates.