The WWDC keynote revealed something that many have suspected for years: Apple is following in Android’s footsteps when it comes to new features. A long-standing myth about Apple suggests that the company takes features that have been available on Android for a while, rebrands them, and presents them as groundbreaking innovations. If you tuned into today’s WWDC 25 Keynote, you’ll know this myth is actually grounded in reality. 
Three specific features that I’ve been wanting on the iPhone-Hold Assist, Live Translation, and Call Screening-were all borrowed from Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy AI offerings.
Apple finally catches up to Android with Hold Assist
One of the key features that Apple is introducing is Hold Assist, which is essentially a rebranded version of Google’s “Hold for Me” from the Pixel 6 line. Google introduced this feature in 2021, and it has been a game changer for users. With Hold for Me, Google Assistant monitors your call when you’re placed on hold. You don’t have to sit there listening to music or waiting for the next available agent
. Google Assistant notifies you once a live person is available to speak.
As an iPhone user who missed this feature greatly when I switched back to Apple, I was thrilled to see Hold Assist announced at WWDC. It works similarly to Hold for Me, allowing your iPhone to sit on the call while you continue with your work. Once the agent picks up, you get a notification so you can jump back into the conversation. To activate Hold Assist, simply tap on the ‘More’ button (the three-dot icon) while on a call, and then select the Hold Assist option. You’ll see the notification in Dynamic Island indicating that the feature is active and that you will be notified when an agent is ready.
Live Translation arrives on iOS
Another standout feature being added to iOS 26 is Live Translation. This feature, inspired by Samsung’s Galaxy AI suite, will allow iPhone users to translate conversations in real-time-whether in phone calls, FaceTime, or Messages. The on-device AI translates what your caller is saying, either via text or audio, in real-time. 
This ensures that the conversation remains private and secure, while also enabling fluid communication across different languages. You’ll be able to reply in your own language, and your response will be translated on the fly for the other party.
Call Screening: AI blocking calls
The last major feature is Call Screening, which mirrors the Google Call Screen feature available on Pixel devices. Google’s Call Screen asks a caller to identify themselves and explain the reason for the call before you decide whether to pick up. Apple’s Call Screening works similarly by using AI to analyze the incoming call and determine whether it’s spam or a legitimate call. This is another great addition to the iPhone’s feature set that will help users filter out unwanted calls.
While Apple’s approach to these features may seem like they are playing catch-up to Android, it’s clear that they recognize the utility and popularity of these tools. Though Apple tends to wait before adopting certain features, they do so with a focus on refining the user experience. And while they often rebrand and give a slightly different twist to these features, the bottom line is that iPhone users will greatly benefit from these additions.