Apple is making a lot of noise around its iOS 26 public beta release, which is full of new features that improve any excellent iPhones. If an iOS 26 feature you need to try at all, it should be a call screen,
In fact, this is what my colleague Philip Michael has specifically called as the “most interesting” new things he has experienced in his iOS 26 previews. I have to agree because it gives you more control How Refer to phone calls forward.
However, I can’t ignore you to remind you of a similar feature of Google – also known as the call screen – which leans on Google Assistant to make a phone call from you. When I first experienced it with my Pixel 8 Pro a few years ago, I said this is the most impressive smartphone feature I experienced.
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The two competitive properties are basically the same, which has been assigned to reduce spam calls and ask you the reason to call them.
I’ve been checking iOS 26 betes for some time, so I would like to point out how the iOS 26 call screen feature compares how Android 16 pixels is with 9 lineup.
For this test, I asked AI to create a phone call script for three different phone call conversations on two phones – an iPhone 16 Pro Max Running iOS 26 Son and a Pixel 9 Pro Android 16 Beta.
The package supply
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(Image Credit: Future)(Image Credit: Future)
For this first test, I used another phone to make a phone call, excusing the package delivery courier. This is the message that I have left:
“I’m calling because I need to leave a package for John Velasko. This is a medium -sized box that needs to be signed and I need to know if someone can come down and sign it.”
With the call screen in iOS 26, I was welcomed by the assistant who tells me to leave a message on what I am calling. What I like about the call screen in iOS 26 is that I can see the transcript in real time because they are leaving the message, but since this feature is not connected to Apple intelligence, it is a mess of thought that the caller is.
Regardless, I answered me to send more details, but the call screen asked them to leave the message. This is to the extent of interaction with iOS 26.
On the contrary, the call screen in Android 16 is very reliable in my opinion. After leaving the same message, Google Assistant intelligence provides me with contexts that I can select directly from my Pixel 9 Pro. The better thing is that these reactions arise automatically, which shows that AI is really working behind the screen so that to understand what is the conversation.
Winner: Android 16
Pesky Sales Call
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(Image Credit: Future)(Image Credit: Future)
Although both platforms are improving ways to prevent spam calls, you can still find at all times and after. LI of this next exam, I made an excuse to be a sales person – you know – the things that immediately for you. They are likely to be hanged. This is my pitch:
“This John Smith has called the shining clean solutions. We are a local company dedicated to helping homeowners to really get ancient residential places. And today, the reason for my call is a quick question about cleaning your home.”
Once again, the call screen in iOS 26 says to leave a message that is automatically visible on my iPhone 16 Pro Max. Although it is easy that I can type my answer to the Assistant Relay, I wish I could be a smart response to choose from the call screen on Android 16, but this is not the case. At least the assistant politely responds by telling them “no thanks” and leaving more detailed message.
Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, prove how helpful the AI can be. This interaction with the call screen in Android 16 is an excellent example because immediately to leave the message. Later, Google Assistant immediately identifies it as a spam call – which makes me feel the first option on the list on this list.
Even they do not get a chance to leave the message because once I tap on “Report as Spam”, it removes the phone call and it is identified as a suspicious call.
Winner: Android 16
Emergency assistance
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(Image Credit: Future)(Image Credit: Future)
For this last test, I made an excuse to call someone from someone who is in the hospital who wants medical help. This is a call I want to answer, so I was really interested in how the call screen handles it. This is the message that I have left:
“Listen, I’m calling because Jimmy is in the hospital. He was admitted to a good coffee medical center at around 3:00 pm today. The reason I am calling is because I really need some help.
The call screen in iOS 26 cannot only provide meaningful steps or reactions other than calling the collar to leave more detailed message. In real life situation, I immediately after reading the message on my iPhone. I will pick up the call-but only one thing they can do is to leave another message.
In the meantime, I think Android 16 is also worried about it because it does not give me a variety of reactions as much as the other two conversations. I asked them to tell me why they were calling, but the only options in my power were to thank them only for telling me. Nevertheless, this is a confession and goes an additional step forward compared to iOS 26.
Winner: Android 16
Down line
(Image Credit: Tom’s Guide / John Velasco)
I said earlier, I will say it again. The call screen in Android 16 is one of the best smartphone features around the screen – and shows why Google has some of the best AI phones. The ability to hear and produce intelligent reactions for Google Assistant is proof of how AI is having a big impact. Although this feature has not been promoted with the issuance of Pixel 9, I am hoping that Google improves it with the disclosure of next month’s next month’s next month.
For Apple, this is a good first step with the call screen in iOS 26. Although this is the main thing in what it presents in its current repetition, I am hoping that it is later injected with Apple Intelligence Love. The company is allegedly working on the latter, despite not showing any new features of Apple Intelligence in its iOS 26 during the WWDC 2025. I hope it includes the call screen because it would be good if the assistant could give a proper response.
