In the ever-evolving smartphone landscape, inspiration often flows between competitors. However, Google recently took a direct shot at Apple, claiming that the upcoming iOS 26 operating system features three key functionalities that have been mainstays on Google’s Pixel phones for years.
This assertion comes via a new advertisement from Google’s ongoing #BestPhonesForever series, which humorously depicts an iPhone and a Pixel 9 Pro engaging in a conversation on a fictional podcast. The Pixel phone, acting as the seasoned veteran, points out that the iPhone’s “new” features are, in fact, old news on Android.
The Three Features Google Claims iOS 26 Copied:
- Live Translate: Apple is introducing automatic translation for text messages in iOS 26. The Pixel proudly noted it has offered live translation for texts and phone calls for years. Google first debuted its Live Translate feature on the Pixel 6 back in 2021, allowing for seamless communication across language barriers within messaging apps and even during calls.
- Hold Assist: iOS 26 includes a feature designed to wait on hold during phone calls, notifying the user when a live agent is available. This mirrors Google’s Hold for Me feature, first introduced on the Pixel 3 and newer models in 2020. Hold for Me detects hold music and prompts the user if they’d like the phone to wait on the line for them, effectively freeing up the user’s time.
- Call Screening: A capability to help manage incoming calls, Call Screening is also highlighted by Google as a feature long available on Pixel devices. Google originally launched its Call Screen feature on the Pixel 3 way back in 2018, predating its appearance in iOS 26 by several years. Pixel’s Call Screen can automatically answer unknown calls to filter spam or let the user see a transcription of the caller’s purpose before deciding whether to answer.
Google’s advertisement positions the Pixel as the innovator, featuring timelines that show these capabilities existing on Android, specifically Pixel phones, years before their purported appearance in iOS 26. For example, Google suggests Call Screening was on Pixel roughly seven years prior, Hold Assist five years prior, and Live Translate four years prior to their iOS counterparts.
More Than Just Three Features?
Beyond these specific functions, the lines between iOS and Android features often blur. While Google highlights areas where Apple may have taken cues from Android, the exchange of ideas is rarely one-sided. Many note that feature copying is a common practice in the competitive mobile industry, often going both ways.
For instance, discussions around iOS 26 also point to Apple introducing features reminiscent of other Android capabilities, such as a “Visited Places” feature in Apple Maps that functions similarly to Google Maps Timeline, or a “Highlight to Search” option integrated into screenshots, akin to Android’s Circle to Search. Apple is also enhancing its Wallet app with features like Digital ID support, similar to Google Wallet, and potentially adding conveniences for travelers like enhanced boarding pass controls – a feature some Android users might appreciate seeing on their platform. Even the redesigned Camera app in iOS 26 uses a swipe-based mode switcher interface similar to the Pixel Camera app.
Conversely, there are features where Android continues to lead or could inspire Apple. These include more robust privacy features like “Private Spaces” (seen in Samsung’s Secure Folder or standard Android), more advanced multitasking capabilities (especially on foldables), broader implementation of cutting-edge AI features (beyond just search), more sophisticated AI translation tools, and deeper Home Screen customization options (like more flexible icon and widget layouts).
The Ad and the Broader Context
The effectiveness of Google’s ad campaign – whether it lands as genuinely humorous or slightly “cringy” – remains a subject of debate. However, its timing is notable. Launched around the buzz of Apple’s WWDC 2025 and the iOS 26 unveiling, the ad serves not only to highlight Pixel’s historical feature set but also potentially to tease upcoming Google hardware. Some speculate the campaign and its timing could build anticipation for the rumored Pixel 10 series, subtly suggesting that whatever innovations arrive on the next Pixel, Apple might look to them for future inspiration.
Ultimately, the claim that iOS 26 incorporates features long present on Android underscores the constant push and pull between the two dominant mobile operating systems, where innovation and inspiration frequently hop the fence.
