An Android phone user reports that their phone unexpectedly switched to a "Liquid Glass" interface.

Android is facing an identity problem yet again, and this time it stems from Android phone manufacturers, not Google. Many Android phone makers have seemingly copied Apple's Liquid Glass design for their recent Android 16 software updates, incorporating translucent and semi-opaque menus, sliders, lock screen clock faces, and dialog boxes.

This is unfortunate considering Android's modern Material 3 Expressive design language. It features a bold and flat aesthetic that feels like a natural evolution of previous Android versions and has considerable visual appeal.

However, it is mainly seen on Pixel phones.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of Liquid Glass and Android 16, highlighting the quick toggles panel to demonstrate the design direction favored by many popular phone manufacturers.

These are the quick panel toggles of the newest Android 16 phones.

Vivo and Oppo show the most blatant copying. Their quick settings panels use the same split-style quick panel and heavily incorporate the dated glass look. While both have created a more cohesive and readable interface than Apple (who struggled with accessibility), the inspiration is clear.

Xiaomi flagships haven't yet received the Hyper OS 3 software update, but it also appears to be adopting an iOS-like aesthetic, with minimal resemblance to Material 3 Expressive.

Samsung's One UI is unique, not following the Android 16 design language but also not imitating iOS. This balanced approach should be standard.

Chinese Android flagships offer excellent value.

When not actively reviewing a phone, I often carry a Vivo X200 Pro or an Oppo Find N5. Their hardware, value, battery life, and camera capabilities are unmatched by current devices from Apple, Google, and Samsung.

This is not just my opinion, but an observable fact.

However, the software is often the weakest aspect of these otherwise exceptional devices.

The main issue is the constant pursuit of iOS emulation. If I preferred iOS, I would simply choose an iPhone. I use a Vivo phone for its unique features, like its versatile camera, not for a copy of the Liquid Glass design.

Although the overall value and hardware are appealing, the software is a drawback.

Why is it so difficult to develop a design language that isn't similar to Apple's iOS? Are there no other aesthetics to choose from besides Liquid Glass? With Android 16, Google provided a solid foundation with Material 3 Expressive, but Android manufacturers disregarded it. This reflects poorly on Android's identity as a platform.

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