Material 3 on Wear OS is proof we’ll never have square smartwatches again

The latest look all but marries Wear OS to a circular form factor.

May 14, 2025 - 13:50

Material 3 on Wear OS is proof we’ll never have square smartwatches again

Google is bringing a fresh coat of paint to the Wear OS platform with Material 3 Expressive. The design is loaded with dynamic theming and fluid animations, but one thing is clearer than ever to me and everyone here on the Android Authority team: Wear OS is all in on circular smartwatches — no square pegs shall pass these round holes!

At yesterday’s Android Show, Google premiered the next evolution of Android’s design language. Scheduled to land with Android 16, the new Material 3 Expressive introduces key refinements across Android and Wear OS. On the wrist, the design is built from the ground up for round screens. Updated menus and animations follow the natural curve of circular displays, featuring energetic, shape-morphing elements and tappable buttons that stretch to the circular edges for a cleaner, more efficient layout. Everything about the update is optimized for a classic round watch shape. Even Google’s own blog post emphasizes this, stating: “On your watch, Material 3 Expressive’s design centers the round display.” This isn’t just a visual flourish, it’s a strategic decision.