2025 has been a big year for mobile operating systems. Both Android and iOS rolled out fresh visual makeovers, each pushing its own design agenda. Android 16's QPR1 update introduced the Material 3 Expressive style for Pixel devices, while iOS 26 debuted the glossy, fluid-inspired Liquid Glass interface. With two very different philosophies now shaping how apps look and feel, the debate over which design language works best quickly gained momentum.

Curious to see what the wider community preferred, a large poll was opened to gauge public sentiment. The response was overwhelming, gathering more than 6,500 votes — and the results show an unmistakable favourite.

A Dominant Choice: Material 3 Expressive

The numbers don't lie. A strong majority of voters leaned decisively toward Material 3 Expressive. Nearly eight out of every ten participants (78.7%) selected Google's refreshed design direction over Apple's more experimental Liquid Glass look.

Many users expressed strong feelings about the evolving visual identity of Android. Some felt that Liquid Glass-style design elements were unnecessary or out of place on Android devices, especially when they interfered with clarity or added visual bulk. There was also a noticeable sentiment that developers should focus on speed, simplicity, and usability rather than layering on overly decorative effects.

Material 3 Expressive, on the other hand, seemed to resonate better with the community. It retains the modern, familiar Android aesthetic while giving developers room to use colour, motion, and personalization more creatively — all without sacrificing performance or adding visual clutter.

The Challenge of Consistency Across Android Skins

One recurring theme among many respondents was the difficulty of maintaining a consistent look across the Android ecosystem. With different manufacturers offering their own skins — such as Samsung's One UI, OnePlus's OxygenOS, and Google's own Pixel UI — achieving a uniform visual identity is nearly impossible.

This challenge partly explains why Android users are sensitive to design experiments that don't translate well across devices. A design style that feels cohesive on one brand's interface might appear messy or inconsistent on another. Despite this, Material 3 Expressive still appears to be the more adaptable option, at least in the eyes of the community.

Liquid Glass Still Has Its Fans, But Not Many

While the overwhelming majority preferred Material 3 Expressive, a smaller group — 21.3% of those polled — selected Liquid Glass as their preferred visual style. This aesthetic focuses heavily on transparency, reflections, and soft, fluid movements. It is unmistakably designed with a high-gloss, futuristic feel in mind.

However, the overall reaction to Liquid Glass within an Android-focused audience was noticeably lukewarm. Many users simply felt that the aesthetic did not align with what they expected from Android. Others viewed it as adding unnecessary visual weight, reducing interface clarity, or distracting from performance.

A Call for Developers to Commit

If anything, the poll results send a clear message: users want Google to refine Material 3 Expressive and encourage app developers to adopt it more consistently. The Android ecosystem has always been diverse, but this strong preference suggests that the community values a design system that feels fast, functional, and cohesive — one that visually enhances the experience without getting in the way.

With such a decisive outcome, Google has every reason to double down on Material 3 Expressive and take steps to ensure wider adoption across the Play Store. If the community sentiment is anything to go by, this design direction has the potential to anchor the next era of Android's identity.