At WWDC 2025, Apple unveiled a series of exciting updates for its iPhone ecosystem, but one announcement stole the spotlight: a new iPhone feature that mirrors a functionality Google introduced to Android three years ago. This move has sparked discussions among tech enthusiasts, with many noting Apple’s tendency to refine and integrate Android-like features into iOS. Let’s dive into the details of this WWDC 2025 announcement, explore the feature, and see how it compares to Google’s earlier innovation.
What is the New iPhone Feature from WWDC 2025?
During the WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple introduced Call Screening and Hold Assist as part of iOS 26, the latest operating system for iPhone. These features, designed to enhance user experience, allow iPhone users to manage spam calls and hold times more efficiently. Call Screening automatically answers calls from unknown numbers, displaying the caller’s intent on the screen, so users can decide whether to pick up. Meanwhile, Hold Assist mutes hold music and alerts users when a human representative is available, eliminating the need to stay glued to the phone.
These additions aim to make the iPhone experience smoother and more user-friendly, aligning with Apple’s new Liquid Glass design philosophy, which emphasizes a sleek, translucent interface across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. However, these features are strikingly similar to Google’s Screen Call and Hold for Me, which debuted on Pixel phones in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
How Does Apple’s Feature Compare to Google’s?
Google’s Screen Call, launched with Android 12, allows Pixel users to filter spam calls by having Google Assistant answer and transcribe the conversation in real-time. Similarly, Hold for Me, introduced in 2020, lets users step away from a call while Google Assistant waits on hold and notifies them when a representative is ready. These Android features have been praised for reducing the frustration of dealing with spam and long hold times.
Apple’s Call Screening and Hold Assist, announced at WWDC 2025, operate in much the same way. The iPhone’s version of Call Screening uses Apple Intelligence to process calls on-device, ensuring privacy, and displays transcribed caller information. Hold Assist, integrated into the revamped Phone app, mirrors Google’s functionality by notifying users when a live agent is available. While Apple’s implementation is polished and integrated seamlessly with iOS 26’s translucent UI, critics note that Google pioneered these features years earlier.
Why Apple’s Move Matters
Apple’s adoption of Android-like features isn’t new. At WWDC 2025, the company also introduced other functionalities reminiscent of Android, such as real-time translation in the Phone and Messages apps, similar to Google’s Live Translate on Galaxy phones. This trend highlights Apple’s strategy of refining existing technologies to fit its ecosystem, often delivering a more polished experience for iPhone users.
The introduction of Call Screening and Hold Assist shows Apple’s focus on addressing everyday pain points, like spam calls and customer service wait times. By leveraging Apple Intelligence, these features prioritize on-device processing, aligning with Apple’s privacy-first approach. However, some X posts express mixed sentiments, with users like @zhendlin noting that Apple is “five years behind” Google on Hold Assist, while @alexonline888 praised the feature’s native integration into iOS.
Other Highlights from WWDC 2025
Beyond Call Screening and Hold Assist, WWDC 2025 showcased a range of updates. The Liquid Glass design revamps iOS 26 with a glassier, more unified aesthetic across Apple devices. The Visual Intelligence feature, an enhanced version of Google Lens, allows users to search for items directly from screenshots. Additionally, iPadOS 26 introduces Mac-like multitasking, and the new Games app centralizes gaming experiences on iPhone and Mac.
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While Apple’s AI advancements were less prominent than expected, the company emphasized practical features that enhance usability. The synchronized naming of operating systems (iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, etc.) also simplifies tracking updates, making WWDC 2025 a significant milestone for Apple’s software ecosystem.
Conclusion
WWDC 2025 proved that Apple is listening to user needs, even if it means adopting Android-like features like Call Screening and Hold Assist, which Google launched three years ago. While some may see this as Apple playing catch-up, others view it as a strategic move to refine proven technologies for the iPhone ecosystem. With iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence, these features promise a seamless, privacy-focused experience. As Apple continues to innovate, WWDC 2025 sets the stage for a more unified and user-friendly future.
