SAMSUNG

Galaxy S26 ‘steals’ Pixel’s best security feature

If you’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Samsung Galaxy S26, get ready for a novelty that goes far beyond the usual improvements in camera or processor speed. The South Korean tech giant has decided to seek inspiration directly from the Google ecosystem, integrating into its next flagship one of the most brilliant and acclaimed security features of the Pixel line: real-time Scam Detection. In a world where phone fraud is increasingly sophisticated and difficult to identify, this addition promises to be a true digital lifesaver.

The way this innovative tool will work on the Galaxy S26 is practically identical to the experience we already know from Google phones. The basis of all this engineering is Gemini AI, which acts directly on your device locally (on-device).

While you are answering a call from an unknown number, Artificial Intelligence analyzes the conversation at the exact moment it happens. The system actively searches for suspicious language patterns, requests for urgent bank transfers, demands for PIN codes, or other classic manipulation and pressure tactics used by scammers to trick you.

If the AI ​​detects that something in the conversation doesn't add up and identifies a pattern of fraud, your Galaxy S26 will not hesitate to interrupt. The phone immediately emits a clear audible alert and a strong vibration, accompanied by a visual warning on the screen. This was designed to ensure that, even if you are distracted, walking down a noisy street, or in a situation of great emotional stress created by the scammer themselves, you are immediately alerted to end the call before you share compromising data.

It's perfectly natural that the idea of ​​having an Artificial Intelligence "listening" to your calls might leave you with some reservations about your privacy. However, the system was designed with data protection as an absolute priority.

All audio processing is done locally, taking advantage of the power of the S26's new processor. None of your conversations, voice recordings, or transcripts are sent to the cloud or stored on external Samsung or Google servers. What happens on your phone stays strictly on your phone.

In addition to this impenetrable privacy shield, the Fraud Detection feature is disabled by default as soon as you take the phone out of the box. You will always decide whether or not to turn on this extra layer of protection through the Phone app settings. And to avoid annoying alerts and false alarms with friends or family, the system only kicks in when you receive calls or messages from numbers that are not saved in your personal contact list.

Despite being an excellent addition to Samsung's arsenal, there is a small geographical hurdle for the initial launch. While this feature is already available in several countries on the Pixel (such as the UK, India, and Australia), Samsung will launch Fraud Detection on the Galaxy S26 initially only in the United States and with exclusive support for the English language. Expansion to other languages ​​and regions should happen later through simple software updates.

Fortunately, expansion in the field of text messaging is much more immediate and promising. Google has confirmed that it is improving Scam Detection in its official Google Messages app with the help of Gemini, a new feature that will first arrive on the Pixel 10 and the Galaxy S26 itself.

mundophone