When users of smartphones first launch Android 16 QPR1 or the recently unveiled iOS 26, they are in for a significant surprise. Both Apple and Google have decided it’s time to revamp their mobile operating systems with a refreshed appearance and new user interface.
The initial quarterly update of Android 16 will roll out Material 3 Expressive, a lively and vibrant design language that enhances the existing Material You theme. On the other hand, iOS 26 will introduce Liquid Glass, a semi-transparent and reflective design interface heavily influenced by visionOS. Google is reintroducing bold colors with Material 3 Expressive, whereas Apple is taking a step back, placing greater emphasis on the content beneath the glass-like apps, buttons, and toggles.
After spending a day evaluating Material 3 Expressive against Liquid Glass, it’s evident that neither is flawless. One may appear superior at the moment, but the other could have greater long-term promise.
Liquid Glass represents a far greater design transformation than Material 3 Expressive.
For better or worse, one aspect becomes immediately apparent after comparing Liquid Glass and Material 3 Expressive side by side — the former embodies a larger design shift. Apple has not merely added some translucent features to iOS; it has revamped the entire operating system. If you recall the classic translucent desktop operating systems, such as Mac OS X Snow Leopard or Windows Vista, Liquid Glass embodies that concept but amplified.
Every single element, and I genuinely mean every aspect, has changed.
There are new media controls, toggles, context menus, floating action buttons, and system prompts. Apps like iMessage, Camera, and Settings have undergone a complete transformation, aligning with the Liquid Glass aesthetic while introducing new interfaces. The familiar looks of iOS features like the notification center and control center have been entirely revamped.
The thing is, Liquid Glass isn’t solely responsible for these changes. I suspect numerous iPhone users will appreciate Liquid Glass in iOS 26 not just for its design language but for the long-awaited updates to individual applications and elements.
There are a surprisingly high number of features in the current iOS 18 that haven’t been meaningfully updated since the last significant overhaul, which was iOS 7.
In contrast, Material 3 Expressive may not present as drastic a shift as Liquid Glass, as Google tends to release updates and modifications more frequently than Apple. Material You laid the foundation for Material 3 Expressive, which debuted nearly four years ago. Furthermore, individual applications such as Gmail, Pixel Camera, or Google Photos continuously receive UI refinements and enhancements.
Conversely, it feels as if Apple delayed refreshing its primary default apps and system elements until now, aligning with the Liquid Glass visual upgrade.
All these factors contribute to iOS 26’s Liquid Glass providing a far more substantial design refresh compared to Android 16’s Material 3 Expressive. The cohesive and extensive design updates create “wow” moments for even veteran Apple users, such as how pulling down the notification center causes the underlying content to reflect and refract — as though the notification center itself is made of glass.
There is nothing quite like this in Material 3 Expressive, but that doesn’t necessarily signify a disadvantage. The Liquid Glass design in iOS 26 has real shortcomings, such as becoming challenging to see when numerous translucent elements overlap. For example, pulling down the control center while the App Library is visible can be quite dizzying.
Material 3 Expressive incorporates more UI adjustments than Liquid Glass.
While Liquid Glass serves as the primary visual interface enhancement, I would contend that Material 3 Expressive reflects a more extensive user-interface upgrade. iOS 26 truly gives the iPhone a refreshed look, but it does not fundamentally alter how you operate your smartphone. Conversely, with Android 16, Material 3 Expressive presents visual alterations along with corresponding behavioral changes that aim to make user interactions feel more natural and responsive.
Google employs a blend of visual signals and haptic feedback to accomplish this with Material 3 Expressive. For instance, when attempting to dismiss a notification on Android 16 QPR1, you’ll feel the complete cluster of notifications spring away, as if they’re all moving in unison. Continue to pull, and you will notice and sense a snap when the specific notification you’re dismissing separates from the group.
This interaction reshapes how you both see and perceive smartphone actions, a key intention behind Material 3 Expressive. The updated design language strives to combine vibrant and colorful UI elements with haptic feedback to not only appear distinct but also to feel distinct. You’ll encounter these types of adjustments when manipulating sliders or activating the notification shade.
They are available throughout Android 16 QPR1 in many additional areas, similar to the modifications in iOS 26’s Liquid Glass. The distinction lies in Google’s apparent equal investment of emphasis on
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