Google has been quietly rolling out its Material 3 Expressive design across apps, and now it’s Chrome’s turn. After recent makeovers for Google Messages, Contacts, and Keep, the Android browser is getting the same visual refresh.
Back in June, Chrome Canary gave us an early peek at the Material 3 Expressive update, featuring a brighter overflow menu and rounded buttons up top. Now, 9to5Google has spotted those same changes rolling out to Chrome for Android on Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1.
The Omnibox interface is mostly untouched, but Chrome has replaced its traditional loading bar with a segmented progress indicator that features rounded corners for a cleaner, more modern look.
When you open the three-dot menu, the Material 3 Expressive changes stand out. Chrome now highlights core actions like forward, bookmark, and download in large circular buttons at the top, making them easier to spot and separating them from the longer list of options below.
Tab grid refreshed with cleaner containers
The Tab Grid page is looking a little different now. The plus button for a new tab is in its own rounded square, and so is the switcher for tabs, Incognito, and Groups. For Tab Groups, the frame of an unselected group now just has the color you chose. This is a big change from before, when the entire tab group card was a solid color.
This refreshed design slots neatly into Chrome’s existing interface. Components are now housed in containers, but button sizes stay the same, and list-style screens like the Settings menu haven’t been touched.
9to5Google spotted the Material 3 Expressive changes in Chrome 139 on the Pixel 10. The update isn’t fully rolled out yet, and its weekend arrival was a bit of a surprise.
