One of the standout features on Google Pixel phones is Scam Detection, an AI-powered system that alerts users to potential scams in real time. Introduced with the Pixel 9 series, the feature works across phone calls, text messages, and even chat apps, helping users identify fraudulent activity as it happens.
Until now, Scam Detection has remained exclusive to Pixel devices. However, new evidence suggests that exclusivity may soon come to an end — and Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S26 series could be the first non-Pixel phones to gain access.
Clues Found in Google’s Phone App
Within Phone by Google app version 206.0.857916353, developers have discovered references that strongly hint Google is preparing Scam Detection support for Samsung’s next flagship lineup. Specifically, the app includes mentions of model numbers believed to correspond to the Galaxy S26 family:
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SM-S942 — expected Galaxy S26
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SM-S947 — expected Galaxy S26 Plus
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SM-S948 — expected Galaxy S26 Ultra
These model numbers appear alongside codenames for several Pixel devices, including the Pixel 9 series (excluding the Pixel 9a) and the upcoming Pixel 10 series. Notably, the same code also references “Sharpie,” which is the internal codename for Scam Detection within the Google Phone app.
How Scam Detection Works
On newer Pixel devices, Scam Detection is powered by on-device Gemini Nano, running locally through Google’s AI Core. Pixel 6 and later models in the U.S. also support the feature using Google’s own on-device machine learning models.
Because the Galaxy S26 series is expected to feature powerful AI-ready hardware, there’s a strong possibility that Samsung’s devices could also run Scam Detection locally, preserving privacy while delivering real-time alerts.
A Big Question: The Dialer App
There is, however, one major hurdle. Samsung Galaxy phones do not ship with the Google Phone app as the default dialer. Instead, Samsung uses its own Phone app, which could complicate Scam Detection support.
While Galaxy users can download Google Phone from the Play Store and set it as the default, user-installed apps may not receive the same system-level permissions required for Scam Detection to function fully.
This raises an important question: Will Samsung preload Google Phone as the default dialer on the Galaxy S26 series?
Samsung Has Done This Before
There is some precedent for such a move. In 2024, Samsung phased out Samsung Messages in favor of Google Messages to improve RCS support. Samsung Messages relied heavily on carrier infrastructure, while Google Messages uses Google’s Jibe servers, offering broader compatibility and faster updates.
Switching dialer apps would be a bigger leap, as there’s no obvious functional limitation with Samsung’s Phone app. However, exclusive access to Google’s advanced Scam Detection technology could be enough incentive — especially if Google is positioning it as a premium AI feature.
Still Unconfirmed — For Now
Neither Google nor Samsung has officially announced Scam Detection support for Galaxy devices, and it remains unclear whether the feature will make it to the final Galaxy S26 lineup. For now, the evidence exists only in app code, meaning plans could still change before launch.
If it does arrive, the Galaxy S26 series would mark a major shift in Google’s strategy, bringing one of Pixel’s most praised safety features to a broader Android audience.
As more details emerge, updates are expected in the months leading up to Samsung’s next flagship launch.
