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The tech world has been abuzz with Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where they unveiled iOS 26 â a major overhaul of its mobile operating system. With a sleek new design and AI-driven features, Apple seems to be playing catch-up, introducing features that Android users have already been enjoying for years. While the polished execution is unmistakable, it’s clear that Android has had some of these innovations long before. In this article, we dive into the five key features iOS 26 borrows from Android, exploring how they compare and which platform does them better.
- Call Screening and Hold Assist: iOS vs. Android
Apple’s new Call Screening feature automatically answers unknown calls, transcribing responses in real time. Additionally, Hold Assist detects hold music, mutes the call, and notifies you when an agent is back on the line. While iOS 26’s version is quite handy, Android has had a similar system in place since 2018. Google’s Pixel phones introduced Call Screening, filtering out spam calls before they even ring. Along with Hold for Me, which uses AI to wait silently on hold, Androidâs offering has been refined over several years. Apple’s version adds more nuanced voice detection, but Googleâs suite remains a more mature and efficient solution.
2. Spam Detection: iOS Tries to Catch Up
iOS 26 routes potential spam messages into an “Unknown Senders” folder, preventing unwanted messages from cluttering your main feed. Itâs a much-needed feature for iPhone users, but Android has had this capability since 2018. Google’s Messages app goes even further with on-device spam filtering, and theyâve recently introduced real-time scam call detection, which feels like magic in action. While iOS 26’s spam filtering is a positive step, it doesnât yet match the sophistication of Androidâs long-standing anti-spam features.
- Live Translation: iOS 26 Joins the Translation Game
One of the most exciting new features in iOS 26 is Live Translation, allowing users to convert speech and text in real time across apps like Messages and FaceTime. While this feature sounds impressive, Android has already had similar functionality since 2021 with the introduction of Googleâs Live Translate on the Pixel 6. Android also offers offline translations, along with real-time translation via Pixel Buds. Apple’s version is elegant but not entirely groundbreaking when compared to Android’s more established translation tech.
4. Visual Intelligence: Apple vs. Androidâs Visual Search
Apple’s new Visual Intelligence feature allows users to circle or scribble on objects in screenshots, enabling a search across apps. Itâs great for identifying items like clothing or artwork in photos. However, Android has been offering a similar feature called “Circle to Search” since 2024. With this, users can circle or highlight objects on the screen to launch a visual search across all apps. Android’s implementation is smoother as it doesn’t clutter your photo roll with extra screenshots, making it a more refined experience than Apple’s version.
- Genmoji & Image Playground: Emoji Mashups Arenât New
Genmoji in iOS 26 lets users combine two emojis into a dynamic image or sticker. Itâs a fun and creative feature, but Android users have had a similar feature since 2020 with Gboardâs Emoji Kitchen. While Apple’s AI-driven approach is more flexible, Androidâs Emoji Kitchen offers over 100,000 combinations without real-time generation. Android has also integrated Pixel Studio for creating stickers, which was introduced in 2024. So while iOS 26âs Genmoji is a cool addition, itâs by no means revolutionary.
What Undercode Says:
The unveiling of iOS 26âs new features highlights Appleâs dedication to offering more polished, user-friendly experiences. However, the reality is that many of these features are not entirely new; theyâre adaptations of Android’s existing offerings. While Apple has managed to refine these technologies and give them a unique spin, Android has been leading the way for years with some of these innovations. Android users have already benefitted from tools like Call Screening, Hold for Me, and Live Translate, and in many cases, these features work more seamlessly.
Appleâs move to implement these features signals a shift towards greater user-centric functionality, especially as it competes with Androidâs increasingly intuitive ecosystem. While iOS 26 will undoubtedly attract iPhone fans with its polished take on existing ideas, Android remains the frontrunner in terms of maturity and flexibility with these tools.
Itâs clear that the gap between the two operating systems is narrowing, but Androidâs head start in areas like AI, real-time translation, and spam detection is hard to ignore. Appleâs future iterations of iOS will likely continue to build upon these features, but Androidâs deep integration with AI and the Google ecosystem still puts it in the lead when it comes to innovative utility.
Fact Checker Results â
Call Screening & Hold Assist: Androidâs Call Assist and Hold for Me have been more refined, offering a superior experience with AI-powered spam filtering and wait time management.
Spam Detection: Androidâs real-time scam call detection is more advanced, using on-device AI to filter out spam more effectively than iOS 26.
Live Translation: Android has offered real-time translation since 2021, while iOS 26 is still catching up in terms of functionality and integration.
Prediction đŽ
As both iOS 26 and Android 16 continue to evolve, we can expect the gap to close even further. Appleâs ongoing push for more AI-driven features and seamless integration will likely force Android to innovate at an even faster pace. However, Androidâs years of experience with these tools give it a significant advantage, ensuring that Android users will continue to enjoy a more advanced, flexible, and intuitive experience. Expect iOS 27 to focus more on closing the feature gap and potentially introducing its own innovations to stay ahead.
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Reported By: www.zdnet.com
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