Last year, Google released Android 16 with Material 3 Expressive Design, new UI optimizations that looked interesting with a blur effect, but Android 17 could make the overall experience more immersive.

On May 12, Google hosted The Android Show: I/O Edition 2026, sharing a glimpse of what Google is preparing for Android 17 at the full I/O 2026 event planned for later. At the event, the top leadership talked about evolving AI features and upcoming capabilities for devices. It also revealed a new Googlebook with deep Gemini integration.

However, many of us have been expecting to see the new UI design, which has been teased in teasers. Specifically, the new pinkish Android logo had become a topic of discussion.

Yet, the show ended without anything specific about the new look. Fortunately, unofficial sources have brought us the first look at the new blur that put Android 17 back on the discussion table.

Before the Android show, it was rumored that Google would copy Apple’s Liquid Glass design for Android 17, but early screenshots confirmed that it isn’t happening. Instead, Android 17 has expanded the blur across different parts of the UI.

For example, the pop-up menus have this translucent background, creating a dynamic effect on the foreground, while adapting the colors of the wallpaper. This change is now applied across the entire software.

It suggests that developers have paid more attention to refining the design in 2026 rather than only focusing on the features and security.

This is only a preview of what’s heading our way with the final release, and you can definitely expect some changes in the official Android 17. Meanwhile, Samsung hasn’t released such changes in its latest One UI 9 beta.

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