Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series may bring a Pixel-exclusive feature to protect you from scam calls
Google may finally extend Pixel’s Scam Detection feature to more Android phones, starting with Samsung’s upcoming flagships.
Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends
Google’s Pixel phones have a handy scam call detection feature that works in the background during calls, alerting users in real time if a conversation shows signs of a potential scam. When triggered, it warns users with a notification, sound, and vibration, offering a timely nudge to hang up before any damage is done. So far, this feature has been exclusive to Pixel devices, but it could soon make its way to phones from other brands, starting with Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series.
Google debuted Scam Detection on the Pixel 9 series, and the feature is currently available on Pixel 6 and newer models. However, Android Authority has spotted evidence suggesting it could also be coming to the Galaxy S26 lineup. While digging through Google’s Phone app, the publication spotted model numbers for Samsung’s upcoming devices listed alongside a code snippet referencing “Sharpie,” the internal codename for Google’s Scam Detection feature.
In a separate report, the publication claims that Google may bring Scam Detection to non-Pixel devices through a new app called Android Callcore. According to its Play Store listing, the app provides an “infrastructure to support phone-calling based features,” and its latest update includes the ability to detect scam calls.
Pixel’s Scam Detection may expand to devices from more manufacturers
The report adds that the Android Callcore app can only be installed on devices with a specific feature flag, and Samsung’s top-end Galaxy S26 Ultra appears to include this flag. If accurate, this suggests Samsung’s upcoming flagships may not rely on Google’s Phone app to enable Scam Detection.
The app may also allow Google to extend support to more Android devices in the future, but it’s not immediately clear when Scam Detection will roll out more broadly or which manufacturers will be included. More information should emerge when Samsung lifts the covers off the Galaxy S26 series late next month.
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