What Equal AI actually does (and why it’s different)
Unlike Truecaller’s name-only lookup or Google/Apple’s one-way call screeners, Equal AI is pitched as a two-way, live conversation layer. It picks up the call, figures out the “why,” relays live transcripts, lets you type instructions like “Leave the package at the gate,” and can hand the call to you mid-flow. Think of it as WhatsApp-style live chat, but the AI is doing the speaking on your behalf in real time.
Equal is rolling this out as a free Android app first (with paid add-ons later). The Google Play listing highlights live call sharing, post-call summaries, polite spam handling, and delivery management. In short: you don’t waste time, you don’t miss the important ones.
“India’s first AI call assistant”? Here’s the nuance
There are call-screening tools globally (Google’s Call Screen on Pixel phones, Apple’s screening features in select regions) and third-party AI call assistants elsewhere. But Equal’s claim is about being India’s first conversational call assistant targeted at Indian consumers at scale—language nuance, names, and live, in-call control included. It’s launching locally, built around Indian calling patterns, and aims to outdo generic global features.
Launch plan, targets, and early numbers
• Launch date/region: Oct 2; Android; Delhi-NCR first, then Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad. iOS “soon.”
• Access model: Free core experience; premium features planned (freemium).
• Scale goals: Equal is aiming for 1 million DAU by mid-2026.
• Beta learnings & claims: After alpha/beta, Equal cites 94% spam detection, 87% reduction in interruptions, and zero false positives for saved contacts in internal tests. Treat these as early, company-reported numbers.
Why this matters now (for urban India)
India is drowning in spam and scam calls. Even with DND and caller IDs, the interruptions persist. The CNAP (Calling Name Presentation) push from telcos/regulators will help show who is calling; Equal argues it solves the why—and takes action on it in real time. That pairing could be potent for cities where you juggle deliveries, services, and constant unknown numbers.
How it stacks up vs the usual suspects
• Truecaller: Great for reputation and name lookup, weaker on real-time conversation and in-call actions. Equal tries to fill that gap with on-the-fly instructions and handoff.
• Google/Apple call screening: Useful, especially on Pixels and iPhones in supported regions, but Equal’s pitch is India-first language handling (English/Hindi/Hinglish at launch per coverage) and live control inside the call. If Equal’s natural voices and tone hold up, callers may actually converse rather than hang up.
Privacy, safety, and the fine print
The Play Store page says the app encrypts data in transit, doesn’t share data with third parties (developer-declared), and lets you request deletion. Equal says unknown calls are recorded to create transcripts that you can delete. As with any AI recorder, consent and compliance matter—especially if you’re using it for work calls. Keep an eye on how Equal handles storage, retention, opt-outs for callers, and how it adapts when CNAP becomes mainstream.
Who should try it first?
If you’re an urban professional who gets 4–5 unknown calls a day (deliveries, service providers, tele-sales), Equal AI looks tailor-made. The Delhi-NCR early access lets you test the core flow—let the AI answer, scan the live transcript, and jump in only when required. For households where parents get spam-bombed, this could be a quiet lifesaver—provided the assistant understands accents and switches languages gracefully.
What could go wrong?
No AI is perfect on day one. Expect:
• Misclassifications (transcripts missing nuance, sarcasm, or regional slang).
• Caller reactions (“Am I talking to a bot?”) until the voices feel truly natural.
• Edge cases with OTPs, one-time callbacks, or government hotlines—where you probably want to pick up yourself.
The test to watch is retention: do users keep it on after week two?
Bottom line
Equal AI is not just slapping AI on caller ID; it’s trying to re-architect how Indians deal with unknown calls—answer first, decide later, and do it live. If the Delhi-NCR rollout holds up and the language models stay crisp, this could be the first consumer AI utility many Indians use every single day—quietly stealing back focus from our noisiest everyday chore.
Note: Claims like detection rates are company-reported from early tests; treat as indicative until independent benchmarks arrive.