Key Differences Between Material 2 and 3 in Jetpack Compose

Jetpack Compose, Google’s modern UI toolkit for Android, has significantly transformed the way developers create user interfaces. Among its many features, Material Design plays a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics and functionality of Compose-based apps. With the advent of Material 3, developers are now presented with a more evolved design system compared to its predecessor, Material 2. In this post, we’ll explore the key differences between Material 2 and Material 3 in Jetpack Compose, emphasizing the new capabilities, migration strategies, and best practices for leveraging Material 3 in your projects.

What Is Material Design in Jetpack Compose?

Material Design is a design language developed by Google that provides a cohesive framework for creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces. In Jetpack Compose, Material Design libraries enable developers to build consistent UIs with pre-built components, themes, and typography. While Material 2 introduced foundational principles for modern app design, Material 3 (based on Material You) takes it a step further by focusing on personalization, accessibility, and adaptability.

The Transition from Material 2 to Material 3

Material 3, also known as Material You, represents a paradigm shift in design philosophy. It emphasizes user-centric customization, allowing users to tailor their app’s appearance based on their preferences and system-wide settings. Here are the primary differences:

1. Dynamic Color System

  • Material 2: Static theming using predefined color palettes.

  • Material 3: Introduces dynamic color, which extracts colors from the user’s wallpaper or other sources to create a personalized color scheme. This feature allows apps to adapt seamlessly to the user’s environment, fostering a more harmonious experience.

  • Implementation:

    val colorScheme = dynamicColorScheme(context)
MaterialTheme(colorScheme = colorScheme) {
    // Content
}

2. Typography Updates

  • Material 2: Relied on Roboto as the default typeface with predefined text styles like h1, body1, etc.

  • Material 3: Introduces a more flexible typography system with updated styles and the use of Google Sans as the default font. Developers can define typography hierarchies that better align with branding and accessibility requirements.

  • Implementation:

    val typography = Typography(
    headlineLarge = TextStyle(fontSize = 30.sp),
    bodyMedium = TextStyle(fontSize = 16.sp)
)
MaterialTheme(typography = typography) {
    // Content
}

3. Enhanced Component Library

  • Material 2: Basic components like Button, TextField, and Card adhered to strict design guidelines.

  • Material 3: Expands the component library with modernized widgets such as ExtendedFloatingActionButton, NavigationRail, and CenterAlignedTopAppBar. These components support dynamic theming and enhanced functionality.

  • Example:

    CenterAlignedTopAppBar(
    title = { Text("Material 3 Example") },
    navigationIcon = {
        IconButton(onClick = { /* Action */ }) {
            Icon(Icons.Default.Menu, contentDescription = null)
        }
    }
)

4. Elevations and Shadows

  • Material 2: Used shadows and fixed elevations to convey hierarchy.

  • Material 3: Leverages a new Elevation Overlay system to adapt shadows dynamically based on the background color and theme. This creates a more cohesive and visually appealing design.

5. Shape System Refinements

  • Material 2: Provided basic shape theming with rounded corners and fixed dimensions.

  • Material 3: Offers a more flexible shape system with support for adaptive corner radii and custom shapes, making it easier to implement unique and branded designs.

  • Implementation:

    val shapes = Shapes(
    small = RoundedCornerShape(8.dp),
    medium = RoundedCornerShape(16.dp),
    large = RoundedCornerShape(32.dp)
)
MaterialTheme(shapes = shapes) {
    // Content
}

6. Focus on Accessibility

  • Material 2: Accessibility features like contrast ratios were implemented but not customizable.

  • Material 3: Enhances accessibility by integrating customizable contrast levels, larger touch targets, and support for dynamic text scaling. This ensures that apps remain inclusive for all users.

Migrating from Material 2 to Material 3

1. Update Dependencies

To start using Material 3, include the appropriate Jetpack Compose Material library:

implementation "androidx.compose.material3:material3:latest-version"

2. Refactor Themes

Replace the MaterialTheme in Material 2 with the Material 3 version. Update your theme definitions to include the new colorScheme and typography parameters.

3. Adapt Component Usage

Replace outdated Material 2 components with their Material 3 counterparts. For instance, use OutlinedButton instead of Button for modern styles.

4. Test Dynamic Theming

Ensure that your app’s appearance adapts correctly to the dynamic color system by testing on devices with different wallpaper configurations.

5. Verify Accessibility

Use accessibility testing tools to confirm that your app meets Material 3’s enhanced guidelines for inclusivity and usability.

Best Practices for Material 3 in Jetpack Compose

1. Leverage Dynamic Colors

Dynamic colors create a more personalized experience for users. Use dynamicColorScheme where possible to harmonize your app’s theme with the system.

2. Embrace Adaptive Components

Take advantage of Material 3’s new components, such as NavigationRail for tablet designs or CenterAlignedTopAppBar for a modern app bar layout.

3. Prioritize Accessibility

Ensure that your UI complies with Material 3’s accessibility standards by testing with tools like TalkBack and adjusting contrast levels.

4. Iterate on Shapes and Typography

Experiment with the shape and typography systems to create a unique and branded design without compromising usability.

5. Stay Updated

Material 3 is an evolving standard. Regularly check for updates in the Jetpack Compose Material libraries to stay ahead of new features and improvements.

Conclusion

The transition from Material 2 to Material 3 in Jetpack Compose marks a significant advancement in Android UI development. Material 3’s emphasis on personalization, accessibility, and adaptability aligns with modern user expectations and sets a new benchmark for design excellence. By understanding the differences and adopting best practices, developers can harness the full potential of Material 3 to create stunning, user-friendly applications.

Start experimenting with Material 3 today to elevate your app’s design and provide a more engaging user experience.