Apple has just added some calling features to iOS 26 that Google’s Pixel phones have had for years. Features like Call Screening and Hold Assist, which help you manage phone calls better, first appeared on the Pixel 3 back in 2018 and Pixel 5 in 2020. Now, in 2025, Apple is finally joining the party.
Apple’s Late Arrival to Basic Calling Features
Google introduced Call Screening on the Pixel 3, allowing the phone to answer calls and filter out spam or unwanted calls. Later, the Pixel 5 added Hold For Me, which waits on hold for you and alerts you when a real person is ready to talk. These features quickly became useful and many users started relying on them without even thinking.
Apple’s Live Voicemail, which transcribes voicemails, only launched in 2023 with iOS 17. Now, Apple is expanding on this with Call Screening and Hold Assist in iOS 26. While it’s great to see Apple adopt these features, many wonder why it took so long.
Why Did Apple Take So Long?
Google has been working on these calling features for over a decade, with voicemail transcription available since 2009. Apple, meanwhile, was still slowly adding 5G support to the iPhone 12 series back when Google was already refining smart call handling.
The delay has surprised many tech fans, especially since these features have become standard on Android phones. But better late than never, right?
What This Means for Users
Apple’s move shows it is finally looking outside its own ecosystem and borrowing good ideas from Android. This kind of feature sharing can push both companies to improve their phones.
Apple is also adding custom backgrounds to iMessage conversations, a fun feature that might soon inspire similar updates on Android messaging apps.
Still Room for Improvement
One concern is Apple’s trend of simplifying the camera app interface, following Google’s lead. Many users liked having easy access to manual controls, but now these are hidden behind menus. Apple hasn’t yet built the same trust in image processing as Google, so some worry this change might not be popular.
Looking Ahead: AI Features We’ll Actually Use?
Now that Apple has caught up on basic calling features, the big question is: what’s next? Users hope for AI-powered features that are not just gimmicks but genuinely helpful and enjoyable.
As technology evolves, it will be exciting to see how Apple and Google continue to learn from each other and bring better experiences to phone users everywhere.
