Google hosted The Android Present: I/O Version 2026 on Tuesday, a livestream on YouTube the place the corporate unveiled a few of the brand new options coming to Android 17 this yr forward of subsequent week’s large Google I/O 2026 occasion. Google additionally introduced a couple of main AI options coming to Android 17, together with Gemini Intelligence, Gemini in Chrome assist for Android, and a Rambler characteristic for Gboard that makes use of AI to show conversational speech into a transparent message. Gboard can be the house of emojis, a essential a part of fashionable communication. However Google determined the emojis in Android 17 wanted a visible refresh and unveiled an fascinating redesign.
Android 17 will introduce a brand new emoji design language known as Noto 3D. Because the title implies, emojis will get a 3D improve. The brand new emojis ought to look higher than the earlier Noto variations, primarily based on the examples Google confirmed through the livestream and on-line. Google mentioned in a press launch the 3D emojis will carry “a contact of physicality” to chats, suggesting it sees the redesign as extra expressive. “It is the distinction between a message obtained and a presence felt,” Google defined.
The photographs above and under present the identical set of emojis, as shared by Google, permitting customers to match the present designs (picture above) to the Noto 3D improve (picture under). You possibly can simply discover extra vibrant colours that pop within the following screenshot, in addition to the depth impact due to the usage of gentle and shadows.
When will 3D emojis be accessible?
Google mentioned that it has refined practically 4,000 emojis by hand “to be richer, extra pleasant, and extra true to how one can truly specific your self.” Nonetheless, Android customers should wait use them. Google mentioned through the occasion the brand new emojis are coming later this yr, beginning with Pixel units. That means Google will roll out the brand new design as soon as the primary steady model of Android 17 is launched. The software program needs to be accessible later this summer season.
It is doubtless the Pixel 11 collection, additionally anticipated this summer season, will assist the brand new emojis, in addition to a number of older Pixel generations that may get the Android 17 replace. Different distributors might assist the brand new Google emojis inside particular Google apps. The corporate did say that the Gboard keyboard app, YouTube, and Gmail will assist the Noto 3D emojis. Nonetheless, some distributors might have their very own emoji designs for brand new and present smartphones. Additionally, non-Pixel units will not get the Android 17 replace as the identical time as Pixels. Meaning some Android customers should wait longer for the Android 17 improve and the Noto 3D emojis.
Lastly, when the Noto 3D emoji set rolls out, it could introduce a number of new emojis. The Emoji 17.0 set, which ought to roll out in early September, will comprise 163 new emojis when accounting for all attainable pores and skin tone and gender mixtures.
