Your question is Java Equality: == vs equals. Take a moment with it on the right.
Talk me through your thinking if you like. When you're confident, submit your answer and I'll grade it like a real screen (7/10 or better passes).
What are the primary differences between == and the .equals() method in Java? Compare their behavior for primitive values and object references, and explain how a class can define logical equality. Include one concrete example and mention any important relationship with hashCode().
The interviewer is checking whether you distinguish reference identity from value equality and understand that .equals() is an overridable method inherited from Object.
Scope: Java language semantics and standard Object contracts.