Joe Maring / Android Authority
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TL;DR
- Google is rolling out its newer, more expressive 3D emoji design to older Pixel Watches.
- The refreshed emojis are arriving on the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4 with the latest September update.
- The new designs add more depth, shading, and detail, making reactions look livelier on the small watch display.
The emoji you use can say a lot without you typing a single word, and even small changes in how they look can make a conversation feel a little different. Google seems to recognize that, as its newer, more expressive 3D emoji make their way to more Pixel Watches.
According to 9to5Google, Google is bringing its newer 3D emoji design to older Pixel Watches with the latest software update. It’s the same refreshed look that Pixel phone users have been getting with Android 17, with emoji appearing more detailed, dimensional, and generally a little less flat than before.
It is one of those visual changes you’re likely to notice during everyday use. If a friend replies to your message with a laughing face, a heart, or one of the hand gestures we now have, those reactions should look a little more expressive on your wrist.
The Pixel Watch 5 already shipped with the newer look. The latest September update, by contrast, is bringing it to the Pixel Watch 2, Pixel Watch 3, and Pixel Watch 4.
9to5Google’s before-and-after comparison makes the difference easier to spot. The old emoji look noticeably flatter next to the new versions, while the updated designs use extra shading and depth to give faces and objects a more three-dimensional appearance. On a tiny watch display, where an emoji can occupy a decent portion of a notification, that extra character arguably stands out even more than it does on a phone.
The redesigned emojis are rolling out now as part of the latest update for the Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4. They arrive alongside other improvements, including expanded gesture support.
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