Samsung Galaxy S26 Series Could Borrow One of Pixel’s Best AI Features – And That’s a Big Deal

Sam

January 24, 2026

Galaxy S26

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series may be about to gain one of the most genuinely useful AI features currently exclusive to Google Pixel phones. According to newly uncovered evidence, Google’s AI-powered Scam Detection could be heading to the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra, giving Samsung users an extra layer of real-time protection against phone and text scams.

While Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet, hidden code spotted inside Google’s Phone app strongly suggests that Scam Detection support for Samsung’s next flagship lineup is already in development. If this feature does arrive, it could be one of the most practical AI upgrades we’ve seen on Android in recent years.

Google’s Scam Detection May Not Stay Pixel-Exclusive for Long

So far, AI Scam Detection has been a Pixel-only feature, quietly running in the background to warn users when a phone call or message shows signs of being a scam. But that exclusivity may soon end.

The team at Android Authority recently discovered references to previously unseen smartphone model numbers in the latest version of the Google Phone app. These model numbers appear to align with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series, and they show up alongside known Pixel devices.

Even more telling is the appearance of the internal codename “Sharpie”, which Google uses for its Scam Detection feature. When Pixel phones, Galaxy S26 model numbers, and the Scam Detection codename appear together in the same codebase, it strongly points to upcoming support for Samsung’s next-generation flagships.

Galaxy S26 Launch Timing Makes the Leak More Credible

Samsung is widely expected to unveil the Galaxy S26 lineup next month, following its usual annual release cycle. That timing lines up neatly with these software references appearing now, suggesting that Scam Detection support could be ready by launch — or arrive shortly after via an update.

While leaks should always be treated with caution, software-level clues this close to a product launch tend to be more reliable than early hardware rumors. At the very least, it suggests that Google and Samsung are actively testing Scam Detection compatibility on Galaxy S26 devices.

What Is AI Scam Detection and How Does It Work?

Google’s Scam Detection feature is designed to identify potential scams in real time, during both phone calls and SMS conversations.

Instead of relying on basic spam filtering, the system uses on-device AI to analyze patterns commonly associated with scams, such as:

  • Urgent payment requests
  • Impersonation attempts
  • Pressure tactics designed to cause panic
  • Requests for sensitive personal or financial information

If suspicious behavior is detected, the phone displays a warning alert, giving the user a chance to hang up or stop responding before any damage is done.

Galaxy S26
Scam Detection is available on the latest Pixel 10 series from Google (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Crucially, all processing happens on the device itself. Google has emphasized that no audio recordings or message content are sent to its servers, making Scam Detection a privacy-focused feature rather than a cloud-based monitoring tool.

It Only Monitors Unknown Numbers

One of the more thoughtful design choices is that Scam Detection only monitors calls and messages from numbers not saved in your contacts.

That means:

  • Friends, family, and colleagues aren’t analyzed
  • Everyday conversations stay untouched
  • False positives are kept to a minimum

The feature is also disabled by default, giving users full control over whether they want it enabled.

Where Scam Detection Is Currently Available

At the moment, Scam Detection is limited to select Google Pixel phones and regions.

Supported Pixel Devices

  • Pixel 6 and newer (United States)
  • Pixel 9 and newer (excluding Pixel 9a) in select regions

Supported Countries

  • United States
  • India
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Ireland

On newer devices like the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, Scam Detection is powered by Gemini Nano, Google’s lightweight on-device AI model. If Samsung adopts the same approach, the Galaxy S26 series could also benefit from Gemini-powered scam detection — assuming the hardware supports it.

The One Complication: Samsung’s Phone App

There is, however, one potential hurdle.

Samsung phones don’t use Google’s Phone app by default. Instead, they ship with Samsung’s own Phone app, which raises a key question:
How will Scam Detection be implemented on Galaxy devices?

There are two likely possibilities:

  1. Samsung could make the Google Phone app the default dialer on the Galaxy S26
  2. Samsung could integrate Google’s Scam Detection technology directly into its own Phone app

Given Samsung’s growing collaboration with Google — including Circle to Search and deeper Gemini integration — either option seems plausible.

Why Scam Detection Would Be a Huge Win for Samsung Users

Phone scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and traditional spam filters often struggle to keep up. In countries like India, where scam calls and fraudulent SMS messages are extremely common, a feature like this could make a real difference.

If Scam Detection arrives on the Galaxy S26 series, users could benefit from:

  • Real-time scam warnings during live calls
  • Better protection against financial fraud
  • Reduced risk of sharing sensitive data
  • Stronger security without third-party apps

This is exactly the kind of AI feature that delivers practical, everyday value, rather than just impressive demos.

Galaxy S26: AI Is Clearly a Major Focus

Scam Detection is just one of many Galaxy S26 rumors circulating ahead of launch. Samsung is expected to push AI harder than ever with its 2026 flagships, with leaks pointing to:

  • Expanded Galaxy AI features
  • Improved on-device AI performance
  • Stronger privacy and security tools
  • Deeper Google Gemini integration

If Scam Detection does make the cut, it would reinforce Samsung’s shift toward AI that actually helps users stay safe, rather than AI for novelty alone.

Final Thoughts: A Small Feature With a Big Impact

Nothing is official yet, but the signs are promising. If Google AI Scam Detection does arrive on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series, it could quietly become one of the most important features Samsung introduces this year.

Google doesn’t claim Scam Detection is perfect, but even preventing a handful of scams could save users from losing money or personal data — and that’s a win no matter how you look at it.

With the Galaxy S26 launch just around the corner, we won’t have to wait long to find out whether Samsung’s next flagship phones are about to get one of Pixel’s smartest features.

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