Apple’s iOS 26 reveal has sparked some playful jabs from competitors — and Google just joined the party. Following Samsung’s light trolling last week, Google has dropped a new #BestPhonesForever video, poking fun at iPhones for introducing features this fall that Pixel users have had for years.
The ad features one of Google’s signature skits with a Pixel and iPhone chatting it out. Pixel cheekily points out that auto-translation of messages debuted on Pixel four years ago, while Hold Assist has been a staple for five years. The biggest shade, though, comes when Pixel reminds iPhone that call screening has existed on Pixels for a whopping seven years.
The video wraps with a tongue-in-cheek moment where iPhone asks Pixel what it’s working on for the next-gen Pixel 10, implying it might just “get inspired” again. While Google’s #BestPhonesForever series is often known for its cringe factor, this one’s surprisingly mild and playful — and honestly lands a decent joke.
Of course, it’s the usual game of tech one-upmanship. Features eventually make their way across ecosystems, whether it’s call screening, AI summaries, or offline translation. Nobody in tech really reinvents the wheel alone, and honestly, it’s better for users when good ideas get copied and improved on.
Still, you have to give Google props for keeping the rivalry lighthearted. Whether you’re Team Pixel, Team iPhone, or just watching from the sidelines, it’s always entertaining when the gloves come off ahead of a major launch season.
