Android 17 gets new emojis
Google is revamping the look of its emojis again with Android 17. This time, the company opts for a more 3D style with added depth and gloss effects. The new designs will first appear on Pixel phones later this year and then probably in other Google services.
The revamped emojis look more realistic and less cartoonish than the current version. With this, Google is visually shifting closer towards the style you already know from iPhones and Samsung devices. Shadows, shine and textures are particularly striking in the new design. According to Google, this should make the emojis feel "more alive" and convey emotions better in digital conversations. The company therefore calls the new collection "Noto 3D".
Still, not all Android users will be excited. Many fans had been hoping for years for the return of the familiar "blob" emojis: the round yellow figures Google used for years before they disappeared from Android. At the time, those blobs gained almost cult status for their playful and strikingly expressive appearance.
With this new redesign, however, Google seems to be definitely going in a different direction. Although the company still refers to the popular blobs of the past in its announcement, it is clear that a real comeback is probably no longer in the cards. The colleagues at 9to5Google did a comparison of some emoji's. Here you can see the new version on the left, the existing emoticon on the right.
For many users, the difference will be mostly subtle. The basic shapes of the emojis remain largely the same, but the whole thing looks more modern and slightly more serious. This also has a practical advantage: emojis will soon look more consistent between Android, iOS and other platforms.
Meanwhile, Google does continue to experiment with creative emoji features, such as the hidden blob stickers within Emoji Kitchen. But for fans of the original blobs, that seems to be the closest alternative for now. The revamped emojis are part of Android 17 and will be rolled out on supported devices later this year.
