That rollout of new features also included a UI refresh making it look “cleaner.”
See https://www.cultofmac.com/544433/how-to-switch-on-new-gmail-redesign/, this HN post, and https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/25/17277360/gmail-redesign-live-features-google-update which says “The new look, which exhibits a lot of softer forms and pill-shaped buttons, will have to prove itself over time”
That rollout of new features also included a UI refresh making it look “cleaner.”
See https://www.cultofmac.com/544433/how-to-switch-on-new-gmail-redesign/, this HN post, and https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/25/17277360/gmail-redesign-live-features-google-update which says “The new look, which exhibits a lot of softer forms and pill-shaped buttons, will have to prove itself over time”