Why Did the Phone Dial Pad Suddenly Change?

 

Over the past few years, Google has been continuously improving its Phone app, but the latest updates have brought a truly noticeable transformation. In particular, the dial pad and incoming call screen have received a modern, stylish, and highly user-friendly makeover. Behind this shift lies Google’s adoption of its new Material You – Expressive (Material 3 Expressive) design language.

For months, Google had been testing this fresh look with select users. Finally, beginning with versions 186 to 188, the redesign started rolling out globally. However, not all users will see it at the same time because Google is releasing it gradually via server-side updates.

So, what exactly has changed in the Phone app? Let’s break it down:

Major Changes Introduced

1. A New “Home” Tab

Previously, Favorites (starred contacts) and Recents (call history) were separated into different tabs. With the new design, both have been merged into a single Home page.

• At the very top, you’ll now see your starred contacts displayed in a sleek horizontal carousel, allowing you to quickly scroll and select.
• Beneath that, your recent calls appear as individual cards, making the call log cleaner, more attractive, and easier to navigate.

This change makes calling your important contacts just a tap away.

---

2. Redesigned Dial Pad

The floating call button is gone. Instead, the dial pad now appears directly at the center of the app.

• The keypad features a rounded, modern design.
• The number input field has been refined for better visibility and ease of use.
• Even the voicemail section has received a new list-style layout, though with minor adjustments.

This gives the entire calling experience a more fluid and contemporary look.

3. Smarter Contact Access

In earlier versions, Contacts had their own dedicated tab. Now, they are accessible via the search bar’s drawer menu.

From this drawer, you can:

• Access your full Contacts list
• Manage Call history
• Clear call logs
• Enter Settings
• Send feedback or get help

This approach creates a faster, centralized navigation system within the app.

4. New Incoming Call Screen

One of the most noticeable updates is the revamped incoming call interface, designed to reduce accidental touches when pulling the phone out of your pocket.

Now, you can choose between two answering methods:

• Horizontal swipe: Swipe right to answer, swipe left to decline.
• One-tap option: Enabled from settings, this lets you answer or reject a call with a single tap.

This dual system makes call handling more flexible and error-proof.

5. Improved In-Call Screen

While you’re on a call, you’ll immediately notice:

• The buttons are now larger and pill-shaped.
• When tapped, they transform into rounded rectangles for better feedback.
• The end-call button has been made bigger and more prominent, so you can’t miss it.

This update makes in-call interactions faster and more comfortable.

User Reactions

As expected, the update has drawn mixed reactions:

Positive Feedback

• Users appreciate the modern look and simplified navigation.
• The new call screen gestures are being praised for reducing accidental call drops or unwanted answers.

Critical Feedback

• Dual-SIM users report it’s sometimes difficult to identify which SIM is being used for calls.
• Some people find moving Contacts into the drawer menu less convenient.
• Since Google has prioritized the dark theme by default, many users are requesting a brighter or light theme option.

Why Did Google Make These Changes?

1. Introducing Material 3 Expressive Design
   • Google is pushing its new Material You design philosophy across Android 16 and other platforms.
   • This design aims to make apps more colorful, lively, and personalized, aligning them with the user’s device theme and preferences.
2. Improved Usability & Error Reduction
   • Many users accidentally accepted or rejected calls when pulling their phones from their pockets.
   • The redesigned swipe and tap system significantly reduces such errors.
3. Simplified, Clearer Interface
   • With larger buttons, merged tabs, and intuitive navigation, Google is focusing on ease of use and a more enjoyable calling experience.

The new Google Phone app design is more than just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a complete shift in user interaction. By unifying contacts and call logs, modernizing the dial pad, redesigning incoming calls, and making in-call options more accessible, Google is aiming to make calling simpler, cleaner, and more efficient.

While some users may need time to adjust, it’s clear that this update represents Google’s vision for a future-proof, expressive, and user-friendly calling experience.