- Google AI Scam Detection is currently a Pixel exclusive
- Hidden code suggests it’s heading to the Samsung Galaxy S26
- Samsung’s next flagships expected to launch next month
It appears that one of the features that Google has so far kept exclusive to its own Pixel phones could make its way to one of the best Samsung phones of 2026: the Galaxy S26 series will reportedly receive AI-powered scam detection alerts that will warn users of scams in real time.
The Android Authority team found hidden code in the latest version of the Google Phone app that mentions new smartphone model numbers – numbers that correspond to the Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus, and Galaxy S26 Ultra.
These model numbers appear alongside references to various Pixel phones and “Sharpie,” which is the internal codename Google uses for scam detection. Join 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 note: Samsung phones have their own Samsung Phone app installed by default, rather than 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 itself.
Be careful
Scam detection is one of those features that shows how useful AI can be: it looks for patterns that match known scams and alerts you if someone is trying to trick you. It works on phone calls and text messages, with everything running on your phone and nothing being sent back to Google.
Once you enable scam detection (it’s actually turned off by default), it will monitor calls and text messages with people who aren’t already saved in your contact list – so you won’t suddenly find out that one of your relatives is labeled as a scam threat.
The feature is available on Google Pixel 6 and later in the United States, and Pixel 9 and later (excluding Google Pixel 9a) in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. In the case of the newest handsets, the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series of phones, the feature is powered by the Gemini Nano model.
Google doesn’t promise a 100% success rate with scam detection, but it might just prevent you from being scammed out of money or personal data. This adds to the long list of rumors and leaks that have popped up so far for the Galaxy S26 – and we’ve rated all of the major ones based on their likelihood of being accurate.
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