Android 17 May Transform Your Phone With Apple-Style “Liquid Glass” Design

A Familiar Yet Radical Shift in Android’s Visual Identity

For years, Android’s design language has been defined by flat colors, sharp edges, and bold, solid shapes. It is a look that millions of users recognize instantly—clean, functional, and unmistakably Google. But if recent leaks are accurate, that visual identity may soon undergo its most dramatic evolution in a decade. With Android 17, Google is reportedly preparing a softer, more layered interface that leans toward translucency, depth, and motion. Insiders say the redesign could make Android feel closer to iOS, while still retaining its own personality.

The internal codename for this design push is “Cinnamon Bun”, a name that hints at warmth and softness rather than rigid structure. According to early reports, Google wants to replace hard boundaries with floating panels, blurred backgrounds, and subtle lighting effects. Instead of sharp boxes that block everything underneath, menus may hover gently above apps, letting wallpapers and content remain visible in a softened form. The goal is to create an interface that feels more alive, more fluid, and easier on the eyes.

Building on Android 16’s Visual Foundation

This shift is not coming out of nowhere. In Android 16, Google quietly introduced gentle blur effects in areas such as notifications and quick settings. At the time, the company explained that the blur was meant to add a sense of depth and help users separate layers of information more naturally. The reaction from users and designers was largely positive, with many praising the OS for feeling more modern without sacrificing clarity.

With Android 17, Google appears ready to expand that experiment across the system. Instead of limiting blur to a few panels, the next version of Android could apply it to pop-ups, menus, and overlays that appear on top of apps. This means that when you adjust a setting or receive a system alert, you may still see the app you were using, softly blurred behind the interface element. The effect mimics looking through frosted glass—everything is still there, just gently out of focus.

Floating Controls and Transparent Menus

One of the most noticeable changes could appear in something as simple as the volume slider. Traditionally, Android displays volume controls inside a solid bar that briefly takes over part of the screen. In Android 17, that bar may become a floating element on a semi-transparent background. Instead of feeling like an interruption, it would appear as a natural layer above whatever you are doing—watching a video, reading a message, or playing a game.

Similar visual updates are expected for the power menu, system dialogs, and other overlays. These components may no longer feel like rigid blocks that stop your workflow. Instead, they could fade in smoothly, carrying a soft blur that preserves context. You would always remain aware of what is happening beneath the surface, creating a more immersive experience.

A Home Screen That Feels Deeper and More Personal

On the home screen, Android 17 may introduce menus that no longer fully obscure the background. When opening folders, app drawers, or quick panels, users could see their wallpapers and icons subtly blurred behind the interface. The color of the blur is expected to adapt dynamically to the user’s chosen theme, ensuring the design feels cohesive rather than distracting.

This adaptive approach aligns with Google’s broader philosophy of personalization. Android already allows deep customization of colors, icons, and layouts. By making blur and translucency theme-aware, Google Android 17 could offer a visual style that feels uniquely yours—warm and vibrant for some, minimal and calm for others. It transforms the interface from a static canvas into something that reacts and breathes with your preferences.

Importantly, reports suggest that these changes will be subtle rather than dramatic. Google is not expected to abandon Android’s core identity overnight. Instead, the company appears to be taking an evolutionary approach—introducing softness and depth gradually, so users are never disoriented. The aim is refinement, not reinvention.

Why Google Is Rethinking Android’s Look Now

The timing of this potential redesign is not accidental. The smartphone market has reached a point where hardware improvements alone no longer feel revolutionary. Screens are already sharp, cameras are powerful, and performance differences between flagship phones are shrinking. In this environment, software experience becomes the primary way brands differentiate themselves. By refreshing Android’s interface, Google can make even familiar devices feel new again.

Apple has spent the past few years refining a glass-like aesthetic across iOS, macOS, and visionOS, leaning into blur, translucency, and layered motion. These effects create a sense of depth that feels premium and modern. Google’s rumored Liquid Glass-style Android appears to be a response—not an imitation, but an acknowledgment that users increasingly expect interfaces to feel tactile and immersive rather than flat and static.

How “Cinnamon Bun” Could Change Daily Use

If these leaks prove accurate, Android 17 will subtly change how people interact with their phones every day. Quick actions—adjusting brightness, changing volume, switching Wi-Fi—will feel less intrusive. Instead of covering your screen with opaque blocks, system elements will hover, letting you stay connected to the content underneath.

This design philosophy is rooted in reducing “context switching.” When your interface preserves visual continuity, your brain processes transitions more smoothly. You remain aware of where you are and what you were doing. In practical terms, it could make Android feel faster and calmer, even if the underlying performance remains the same.

Will Third-Party Apps Join the New Design?

One of the biggest open questions is whether third-party apps will adopt the same translucent effects. Historically, Google introduces new design systems in Android and gradually encourages developers to follow them through updated guidelines and APIs. If blur and layering become core features of Android 17, app makers may eventually integrate them into their own interfaces.

However, early reports suggest that, at least initially, the glass-like effects may be limited to system-level components such as notifications, menus, and overlays. This cautious rollout would ensure visual consistency and prevent poorly optimized apps from harming the user experience. Over time, as tools mature, developers could gain more control over these effects.

Performance Concerns on Older Devices

Blur and translucency are visually appealing, but they are also computationally expensive. Rendering real-time blur requires additional processing power, which raises concerns for older Pixel phones and budget Android devices. Google has historically prioritized performance across a wide range of hardware, so it is unlikely to introduce features that significantly degrade speed or battery life.

Engineers may implement adaptive systems that reduce or disable blur on lower-end hardware. Another possibility is offering users a toggle to minimize visual effects, similar to existing “reduce motion” or “developer options” settings. This would allow Android 17 to look stunning on flagship devices while remaining practical for everyone else.

When Android 17 Might Arrive

Google has not officially confirmed any of these details. However, industry insiders suggest that the first Android 17 developer preview could arrive as early as next year. Developer previews typically offer a glimpse into experimental features, some of which evolve, change, or disappear entirely before the final release.

That means the “Cinnamon Bun” design may still be in flux. Elements could be refined, scaled back, or reimagined based on feedback from developers and early testers. Yet the consistency of these leaks across multiple sources indicates that Google is genuinely exploring a new visual direction.

Android’s Future: Evolution, Not Imitation

While comparisons to Apple are inevitable, Android 17 is unlikely to become a carbon copy of iOS. Google’s strength lies in flexibility and personalization. Even with glass-like layers and blur, Android will continue to emphasize user choice—custom launchers, widgets, themes, and deep system control.

In that sense, the rumored redesign is less about chasing Apple and more about modernizing Android’s language for a new era. Flat design once represented simplicity and clarity. Today, subtle depth and motion serve the same purpose, helping users navigate complex systems with ease.

If Android 17 succeeds, users may not even think about it as a “new look.” Their phones will simply feel smoother, softer, and more intuitive. That is often the mark of the best design—when it fades into the background and lets the experience shine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Liquid Glass” design in Android 17?

The “Liquid Glass” style refers to a rumored interface built around blur, translucency, and layered depth. Instead of solid blocks, menus and controls appear as floating panels that softly reveal what’s behind them.

What does “Cinnamon Bun” mean?

“Cinnamon Bun” is reportedly Google’s internal codename for the Android 17 visual refresh. It suggests warmth and softness, reflecting the move away from sharp, rigid design toward something more fluid.

Will Android 17 look exactly like iOS?

No. While it may adopt similar blur and depth effects, Android 17 is expected to retain Android’s identity—focused on customization, flexibility, and user control.

Will older phones support these effects?

Google is likely to optimize or limit blur on older hardware. Users may also get options to reduce visual effects, ensuring performance and battery life remain stable.

When will Android 17 be released?

The first developer preview is rumored to arrive next year. Final public release would typically follow several months later, after testing and refinement.

Will third-party apps use the new design?

Initially, the new effects may be limited to system components. Over time, developers could gain tools to integrate blur and layering into their own apps.