Google is introducing a new collection of emoji in Android 17 that applies 3D textures to the entire emoji catalog across Android and other Google products. The redesign, which Google calls "Noto 3D," replaces the flat, cartoon-like designs used since Android 11 with depth effects and a more dimensional look. The company confirmed the new set will roll out "starting with Pixel phones later this year."
What changed
The new emoji set adds shading, highlights, and subtle depth to each character, making them resemble the emoji found on iOS and Samsung devices more closely than previous Google designs. The overall shape language remains similar to the existing Noto emoji, but the flat fills are replaced with layered textures and gradient-like effects. Google describes the change as a "refresh" rather than a complete overhaul, though the visual difference is noticeable in side-by-side comparisons.
The blob question
Google explicitly acknowledged the "beloved innocent blob emoji of the 2010s" in its announcement, but made clear that the new 3D set is the direction going forward. The blob emoji were phased out starting with Android 11, when Google aligned its emoji with the Unicode Consortium's standard designs. The company's statement that "our feelings have weight, but they often fall flat when expressed online" suggests the 3D treatment is intended to add expressiveness — though the blobs were widely praised for their unique, expressive style. Google noted that hidden blob stickers remain available in Emoji Kitchen, but the main emoji set will not return to the blob aesthetic.
Practical impact
For users, the redesign means Android emoji will more closely match what appears on other platforms, which could reduce cross-platform miscommunication. The tradeoff is the loss of Google's distinctive visual identity in emoji design. The change applies across Google products, not just Android, so Gmail, Google Chat, and other services will display the new 3D set once the rollout begins.
Bottom line
Android 17's emoji redesign is a visual refresh that brings Google's emoji in line with industry norms, but definitively closes the chapter on the blob era. Users who preferred the old 2D style will have to rely on Emoji Kitchen stickers for a nostalgic fix.