Android is dialing up a more youthful, user-friendly calling experience with a fresh update to the Phone by Google app, offering a sleeker interface and smarter call management built on the expressive design of Material You.
Now rolling out gradually to Google’s beta testers, the redesigned Phone app aims to simplify and modernize the way users interact with their contacts. The overhaul falls in line with Android’s next-generation Material 3 Expressive design language—bringing more color, playful shapes, and streamlined navigation to one of your most-used apps.
One Tab to Rule Them All
Gone are the days of switching between Favorites, Recents, Contacts, and Voicemail across a cluttered tab bar. The updated app replaces those with just three essential tabs: Home, Keypad, and Voicemail.
The new Home tab cleverly merges your favorite contacts into bubble icons at the top, while your full call history follows below. One major change? Each call is now shown as a separate entry—even if it’s a string of missed calls from your mom. This shift does away with the previous nested call entries, giving users a clearer, chronological overview of call activity.
A Swipe in the Right Direction
One of the most practical additions is a new horizontal swipe gesture for answering or declining calls. Instead of swiping up or down, you can now swipe side to side—reducing the chance of accidentally answering or declining while fumbling to get your phone out of your pocket. Google says this change was based directly on user feedback, marking another step toward more intuitive gesture controls.
Visual Glow-Up
Aesthetically, the updated Phone app leans into whimsy, framing incoming call contact photos in soft, irregular “lumpy” circles—adding a friendlier, less rigid feel to the screen. It’s a small but noticeable shift that reflects Android’s increasingly personal, expressive visual identity.
Although Android 16 officially launched earlier this month, it skipped the full Material 3 Expressive redesign—now set to arrive this September. Until then, Google is giving users a sneak peek through core apps like Phone.
Pixel-Perfect Perks
Pixel phone users also get some extra love: the newly announced Pixel VIP widget lets you view rich contact details right from your home screen. Think real-time location sharing, recent calls, and personal notes—all in one tap.
With design that’s fresh, fun, and focused on user needs, Android’s revamped Phone app shows that even the most basic smartphone function—making a call—can be a more delightful experience.
