WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.36.16: what's new?
WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.25.36.16.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that gives message bubbles a softer design for a more modern chat look, and it will be available in a future update!
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the feature: | Refreshed Bubble Style |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. In the meantime, you can read this article for a sneak peek. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.36.10.70: what's new? WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that lets users apply strict security settings to their accounts! |
WhatsApp Explores a More Modern Chat Message Bubble Style
In the article about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.19.2 update, we announced that 18 additional color options for chat themes were available. These new shades allow users to create more personalized and visually appealing conversations. Each color integrates seamlessly with both light and dark modes, ensuring clarity and aesthetic consistency. Users can now experiment with different tones for individual chats or apply a single color universally, giving them full control over their messaging environment.
Alongside new personalization options, WhatsApp seems focused on improving how conversations feel and flow for users. This involves refining the chat experience, experimenting with subtle visual changes that enhance the overall interface. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.36.16 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that gives message bubbles a softer design for a more modern chat look!
As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is testing the implementation of updated message bubbles with a more rounded design, scheduled for release in a future update. The current message bubble style features slightly rounded corners that give conversations a tidy but familiar look, a design choice that has quietly shaped the app's visual identity for years. Although the curvature is modest, it creates a sense of order that feels almost automatic when opening a chat. This compact form has become so familiar that it blends into daily use without drawing much attention. It also helps users scan through busy group chats, as the structure naturally separates each reply in a straightforward way.
The current design has maintained a steady presence even as the app introduced new features and visual tweaks around it. Users often perceive it as dependable simply because it has remained mostly unchanged for so long. Still, its relatively subtle rounding carries a hint of the app’s early Android aesthetic, which makes upcoming changes more noticeable. This enduring familiarity is part of what has made the current bubble style feel comfortable and reliable for everyday use.
The upcoming bubble design will adopt a softer and more pronounced rounded appearance that immediately changes the mood of the conversation space. The new bubbles will be taller and more pill shaped, creating a smoother flow between messages and giving each bubble a gentler presence on the screen. This updated style will add a touch of modernity that stands out even during quick interactions. Many users may sense this shift right away because it subtly changes how the chat window feels, even when nothing else in the interface moves.
The new design will bring a calmer visual tone that aligns with the direction many Android apps have taken recently. It feels more relaxed without altering the basic mechanics of the conversation layout. WhatsApp seems to be aiming for a refreshed look that stays close to what people already know while introducing a softer character to everyday chats. Although the differences might appear small at first glance, they become quite clear when comparing the current and upcoming designs directly. This adjustment might suggest a gradual transition toward a more polished and welcoming design that still keeps the familiar experience intact.
The feature that gives message bubbles a softer design for a more modern chat look is currently under development and it's planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is testing the new style to ensure it integrates smoothly with existing chat layouts. The design is being carefully adjusted as part of the development process. WhatsApp will keep refining the message bubble style to achieve a balanced and visually appealing look before the official release to beta testers.
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