- Google’s AI scam detection is currently exclusive to Pixel
- Hidden code suggests it is targeting the Samsung Galaxy S26
- Samsung’s next flagships expected to launch next month
It looks like one of the features that Google has so far kept exclusive to its own Pixel phones could be coming to one of the best Samsung phones of 2026: The Galaxy S26 series is rumored to receive AI-powered scam detection alerts that warn users about scams in real time.
The Android Authority team found a hidden code in the latest version of the Google Phone app that mentions some new smartphone model numbers, numbers that match the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
These model numbers appear alongside references to various Pixel and “Sharpie” phones, which is the internal codename Google uses for scam detection. Let’s connect the dots and it looks like the feature will appear on the Samsung Galaxy S26 series when these phones launch (probably next month).
However, nothing is certain yet and there is one problem to be aware of: Samsung phones have their own Samsung Phone app installed by default, instead of Google’s. It’s possible that Google’s version will be the default in the future, or that Samsung’s equivalent will adopt the scam detection technology.
Stay safe
Scam detection is one such feature that shows how useful AI can be: it looks for patterns that match known scams and warns you if someone might be trying to scam you. It works with phone calls and text messages, everything runs on your phone and nothing is sent to Google.
Once you enable Scam Detection (it’s actually disabled by default), it will monitor calls and texts from people who aren’t already saved in your contact list, so you don’t suddenly discover that one of your parents is tagged as a scam threat.
The feature is available on Google Pixel 6 and later in the US, and Pixel 9 and later (excluding Google Pixel 9a) in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. For the latest phones, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series of phones, the functionality is powered by the Gemini Nano model.
Google doesn’t promise a 100% success rate with scam detection, but it could prevent you from being scammed out of some money or personal data. This adds to the long list of rumors and leaks that have appeared about the Galaxy S26 so far, and we’ve ranked the main ones in terms of how likely they are to be accurate.
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