Amazon For Android Introduces A Pill-Shaped Search Bar

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Amazon for Android experiments with a modernized, minimalist design that hints at the company’s evolving user interface strategy.

Key takeaways

• A sleek pill-shaped search bar replaces the traditional rectangular one.
• The header is now colorless and lacks Amazon branding.
• The app’s interface design differs across regions and platforms.
• Rollback on some devices suggests the change may still be in testing.

A glimpse into Amazon for Android design 

Amazon, a titan in the e-commerce world, is known for its consistent functionality but not for frequent app redesigns. 

However, the Android app has undergone notable design experiments in recent years, indicating a shift toward simplicity and user-focused interfaces. This user-centric approach is a testament to Amazon’s commitment to enhancing the user experience.

In 2024, Amazon replaced its classic dark blue header with a teal background and an integrated search bar. 

This move modernized the app’s appearance but retained Amazon branding and functionality. 

The latest design, seen on select devices this past weekend, modernizes the device further with a pill-shaped search box and bold colors.

Festive changes and functional enhancements

Amazon’s app has historically received minor festive-themed updates, such as green headers at Christmas. While these changes were seasonal, they left the core interface intact.

The teal background design introduced in 2024 was a more substantial update. It removed the old hamburger menu and search button, shifting functionalities to the app’s bottom navigation bar. 

This design integrated Amazon Lens (a replica of Google Lens) and voice search into the header.

Amazon's Android app catches up to Google's designs with a pill-shaped search bar https://t.co/OlPGPRcab5

— Android Police (@AndroidPolice) January 6, 2025

The newly spotted pill-shaped search bar refines this further by replacing “Search Amazon” with “Search or ask a question,” inviting a more conversational and interactive user experience.

Minimalism meets functionality in Amazon for Android

The new colorless header with its light gray pill-shaped search bar is strikingly minimalist. It occupies less vertical space, leaving more room for promotional banners and product recommendations. 

However, the absence of Amazon branding has sparked curiosity about the company’s design intentions.

Interestingly, this design is still not universally available. Users in India reported the rollout across multiple devices, while US users continued to see the teal-colored header. 

Additionally, the app on one Indian device reverted to the teal design, indicating this could be a test run rather than a full-scale rollout.

What’s next for Amazon’s UI evolution?

Currently, Amazon’s interface differs across platforms and regions. The teal design dominates the Android app globally, the blue-and-yellow theme persists on the mobile website, and the pill-shaped header is seen sporadically.

The inconsistency raises questions about Amazon’s timeline for a unified design. However, the latest design feels more modern and user-friendly, sparking excitement and optimism among users. 

Its limited rollout and subsequent rollback suggest that Amazon is still evaluating user feedback, but the potential for a more streamlined and enjoyable user experience is promising.

For now, all eyes are on Amazon’s next move. Users eagerly await a server-side switch that could bring the masses this clean and contemporary interface. 

The anticipation for what’s to come is palpable, and users are ready to embrace the changes.

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