Apple is calling iOS 26 the biggest update for iPhones in a while, and it does come packed with a lot of new features. However, a closer look reveals that many of these “new” tricks feel oddly familiar—because Android phones have had them for quite some time. From Call Screening to Live Translation and even charging timers, Apple seems to be borrowing more features from Android than ever before.
### I’ve Seen the Dynamic Lock Screen Clock Before
With iOS 26, you can modify the size of the lock screen clock so that it occupies nearly half of the screen. While the clock is designed to change its size dynamically based on your wallpaper, you can also adjust it manually. This is a novel addition for Apple, but it’s not entirely original. For years, Android phones across both budget and premium categories have allowed users to customize the lock screen clock’s size, font, color, and style.
### Android Phones Have Had Charging Timers for Years
Another subtle yet useful change to the iPhone’s lock screen is the addition of a charging timer. When plugged in, iOS 26 displays the time remaining until the battery charges up to 80%. While this doesn’t change how you charge your iPhone, it provides a helpful estimate of when you’ll have roughly a day’s worth of battery life.
However, this feature has been part of the Android operating system and various custom user interfaces for years. In this sense, the charging timer is yet another feature Apple seems to have taken from Google’s playbook.
### iOS 26’s Adaptive Power Sounds Like Google’s Adaptive Battery
Android smartphones have long featured Adaptive Battery—a feature that extends battery life by limiting background app activity, learning your usage habits (including charging times), and adjusting performance accordingly.
Apple’s iOS 26 introduces a similar feature called Adaptive Power (found under Settings > Battery > Power Mode). It’s available on iPhones that support Apple Intelligence, specifically the iPhone 15 Pro models or newer.
Like Android’s Adaptive Battery, Adaptive Power extends battery life “by making performance adjustments” when battery usage is higher than usual. However, unlike Android’s method, Apple’s feature uses machine learning to predict when your iPhone will need extra battery life.
### Pixel Phones Have Had Call Screening for Years
Another big iOS feature borrowed from Android is Call Screening. This feature on iOS 26 helps users screen incoming calls by collecting the caller’s name and reason for the call through a robotic voice, displaying this info on the screen as the phone rings. It also uses Live Voicemail to transcribe the caller’s words.
That said, Apple’s Call Screening is still a few steps behind Google’s. Google’s AI bot feels more conversational and natural. On newer Pixel devices, the bot even generates contextual responses based on what the caller says. Google also offers automatic filtering, while Apple’s version simply gathers information and lets you decide.
This isn’t a case where Apple improves on Android’s feature; instead, it bridges the gap in everyday AI-driven calling features.
### Hold Assist Is Similar to Google’s Hold for Me
iOS 26’s Hold Assist is another feature Android users have enjoyed for years. This tool saves you from the frustration of waiting on hold and listening to annoying music.
Hold Assist automatically detects when a call is put on hold and shows a “Hold This Call” prompt. Once enabled, it actively listens and alerts you when an agent returns. It also notifies the agent that you’ll be back shortly.
This feature is great for stepping away from your phone without missing your turn, but Google’s version, Hold for Me, has been available on Pixel devices for about five years. Apple is certainly late to the party here.
### Samsung Beat Apple With Live Translation for Calls
In 2024, Samsung introduced Live Translate for voice calls, powered by Galaxy AI. This feature provides real-time voice translation that occurs entirely on-device, given the right voice packs are downloaded.
About a year and a half later, Apple debuted a similar option called Live Translation in iOS 26. However, this is one of the few instances where Apple’s implementation arguably takes the lead. In iOS 26, translations are spoken over the other person’s voice, maintaining a more natural conversational flow.
With AirPods Pro 3, users can have hands-free conversations in different languages without touching the iPhone.
### Apple Wallet Finally Supports Digital IDs
Android users have been able to store digital versions of government-issued IDs—like passports or driver’s licenses—in Google Wallet for over six months. This provides a secure way to verify identity at select places, such as TSA checkpoints. Authentication requires the same Face ID or Touch ID used during registration. Google also offers “Verify with Wallet on the Web,” letting websites and apps access your ID securely.
Now, with iOS 26, Apple Wallet supports digital IDs as well, narrowing the feature gap between the two platforms.
### Highlight to Search or Circle to Search?
Google’s Circle to Search has become a popular visual look-up tool. It recognizes objects on your screen—or within a circled area—and uses Google Lens to provide detailed information.
iOS 26 introduces a nearly identical feature called Highlight to Search. The animation, the way it marks the selected portion, and how it fetches information from Google all feel strikingly similar to Circle to Search.
### iMessage Backgrounds and Polls Aren’t Entirely New
Custom chat backgrounds and polls aren’t unique to iOS or Android—they’ve been available via third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp.
With iOS 26, Apple Messages lets users create custom chat backgrounds using the new Image Playground tool, setting a personality or tone for conversations. Group chats can now include polls to gather everyone’s opinion on plans, such as choosing a restaurant or movie.
### Apple Maps’ Visited Places Is Borrowed From Google Maps Timeline
The new Visited Places feature in Apple Maps shares many similarities with Google Maps Timeline. Both are optional (disabled by default) and automatically record locations you visit, including restaurants, cafés, theaters, and cities.
Users can review their visit history, revisit places, and share their locations. Apple goes a step further by using end-to-end encryption to store this data securely.
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With iOS 26, Apple is clearly closing the feature gap with Android by adopting many functionalities that have been around for years. While some Apple implementations feel more polished, others still have some catching up to do.
In the evolving smartphone ecosystem, it’s great to see both platforms learning from each other and continuously improving user experience.
https://www.howtogeek.com/every-ios-26-feature-apple-borrowed-from-android/