A major leak has revealed Google's upcoming Noto 3D emojis for Android 17, showcasing approximately 250 redesigned icons with enhanced depth and dimension. The new emoji set replaces the traditionally flat Android designs with more dimensional artwork that better expresses emotion and visual presence.

Google aims to address long-standing criticism that Android emojis feel uninspired compared to Apple's offerings. The leaked collection includes redesigned faces, animals, food items, and drink icons, though the overhaul isn't a complete ground-up redesign. These emojis maintain some visual DNA from previous Android emoji designs while incorporating elements reminiscent of Samsung's emoji styling.

The new emoji system will debut on Pixel devices later this year, likely coinciding with the Pixel 11 launch window. Android 17 beta users can expect to see these emojis in upcoming beta updates before the stable release. While the 3D effect represents a meaningful improvement, early impressions suggest Google opted for evolution rather than revolution with this emoji refresh.

Android Central's review notes the emojis are definitely an upgrade but fall short of matching Apple's current emoji quality standards. The redesign addresses user complaints about flat design, though expectations for a more radical overhaul remain unmet.