If you noticed anything different in the Gmail Android app, your observation is correct. Like Google Chat, the search bar in Gmail has also undergone a size adjustment in line with the latest Material 3 design guidelines.
All search bubbles in Google applications have been enlarged: Switching to Material 3 design
Notably, the bar is now 56dp high, higher than the previous 48dp and in line with M3 recommendations for the Search component. This change introduces more padding above and below centered text, and Google has also made adjustments to coloring. In some cases, there is an increase in gray shading and a decrease or absence of Dynamic Color.
Although the area is positioned slightly higher on the screen, it does not significantly affect other content on the screen; there is only a marginal downward shift. This change doesn’t result in a significant functional change, but it does improve touch targeting, in line with Material You’s trend towards larger components.
Everyone is smiling: It is clear how much money Google makes!
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, shared a report on its earnings for the third quarter of 2023 at an event it organized.
This change was first seen in the 2023.10.15.x versions of both Gmail (which still has a non-specific bottom bar) and Google Chat. These apps are integral parts of the Google Workspace suite and hint at a possible update to search fields in other apps like Drive, Keep, Docs, Meet, and more. This regulation is expected to spread to other Google applications.
Previously, full-width search fields were the centerpiece of the screen in many first-party apps. However, Google Messages recently moved away from this design in its home screen refresh and narrowed the Play Store search area. In particular, the Google (Search) app still has a fairly large footprint above the Discover feed, which contrasts with the rest of the design.