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Is the new Chrome Android update secretly brilliant for daily browsing?

Why does my Android Chrome look weird, and is the confusing new design a permanent disaster?

Google Chrome on your Android phone has a fresh look. This new design, called Material 3 Expressive, changes how buttons and menus appear to make them simpler to see and use. The goal is to create a more consistent and glanceable experience as you browse. While the look is different, how you use Chrome stays the same.

Key Visual Changes

Rounded Buttons

Many buttons are now inside rounded or squircle-shaped containers. This helps them stand out from the rest of the screen. You will notice this on the forward, bookmark, downloads, and refresh buttons inside the three-dot menu.

Clearer Menus

The main action buttons in the menu are now visually separated from the list below them. This separation makes it easier to find important controls quickly without them blending into other options.

Organized Tabs

In the tab switcher, the buttons for a new tab, Incognito mode, and Tab Groups each have their own container. Tab Groups also use the colors you assign to them, which helps you identify different groups instantly.

Subtle Polish

Even small details have been updated. The progress bar that appears when a page loads now has rounded corners, matching the new design of the buttons and menus.