Instagram is testing a sleek new design and this is what it looks like

Image: stepforstepiphonefixguides.blogspot.com

Instagram quickly became one of the most popular photo-based social networks in the world thanks largely to design. Photo-sharing sites were a dime a dozen when Instagram launched, but the company differentiated itself by offering sleek photo filters that instantly made users’ photos look like they had been professionally edited. In the years since the app’s initial launch though, Instagram has fallen a bit behind the times in some areas. Specifically, the Instagram app’s design is a little dated at this point — but it appears as though the company is hard at work on a remedy.

A few lucky users recently received special updates to their Instagram apps, giving them a preview of a hot new design the company is testing. The bad news is no, you can’t download the redesigned Instagram app yourself. But the good news is we have a bunch of images of the sleek new design and you can check them out right here.

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Mobile interfaces have changed over the years and Facebook-owned Instagram hasn’t done a very good job of keeping up with the times. The company’s app isn’t among the worst offenders — it’s nowhere near as bad as, let’s say, Twitter — but its current user interface doesn’t really fit well with fit very well with Material Design on Android or with iOS 9.

But that may soon change.

Instagram has confirmed that a small number of users have been given an early preview version of a redesigned iPhone app that the company is currently testing. The new design does away with Instagram’s signature navy blue color scheme and switches to a monochrome look that simplifies the entire experience. Distractions fade away and photos become the only thing your eye is drawn to.

Long story short: The new design looks fantastic and we hope Instagram puts the finishing touches on it and rolls it out to all users as soon as possible.

Here’s a pair of screenshots posted by Instagram user Anton Abramov:

And another shot posted by Engadget:

And finally, a few additional screenshots posted by people on Twitter:

I ♥ the new @instagram redesign #blackisthenewblack pic.twitter.com/GD1TAvPAUg

— Robert-Paul Jansen (@robertpaul) April 26, 2016

More thoughts on the Instagram redesign: it makes send if their aim is to pull all distractions around an image. pic.twitter.com/czSsceKmjb

— Ryan Serpico (@ryan_serpico) April 27, 2016

The mock-up for the new Instagram redesign is sick pic.twitter.com/BtmmQuZhFu

— Donnie (@donnieDaCreator) April 27, 2016

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Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 15 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.