Although Samsung has only recently begun rolling out its Android 16-based One UI 8 update to Galaxy devices, there is already a considerable number of rumors about what’s coming next with its One UI 8.5 update.
While no specific timeline has been announced for the release of One UI 8.5, it is reportedly built on the Android 16 QPR2 update, which introduces a variety of new Android features. One potential feature that may interest Samsung users is Call Screening.
Android Authority recently discovered code in a leaked build of One UI 8.5 indicating that Samsung is developing its own AI-powered version of Call Screening — a feature that has long been available on Pixel devices. The feature is expected to use an AI Assistant, likely Samsung’s Galaxy AI, to automatically screen calls and display a text transcript of the caller’s message on your screen. From there, you can choose to answer or ignore the call.
Samsung’s Call Screening could work very similarly to Google’s
Apple recently introduced Call Screening with iOS 26
In the strings of code Android Authority unearthed, there are references to how Samsung’s Call Screening could work, including the ability to choose between four different screening levels.
The first level would screen all incoming numbers. The second, referred to as “High”, would screen all unknown numbers. The third level, referred to as “Medium,” would screen all suspected spam calls and numbers, as well as international calls and numbers with a blocked caller ID. The fourth level, referred to as “Low,” would just screen spam and scam numbers.
If these different screening levels ring a bell, it’s because they are very similar to how Google’s Call Screening feature on Pixel phones works. On Pixels, Call Screening has three different protection levels. The first is Maximum, which screens all unknown unknown numbers and declines spam. The second is Medium, which screens suspicious calls and declines spam. And the third is Basic, which declines only known spam.
While Samsung already offers a call screening tool called Bixby Text Call, it requires manual activation and isn’t an automatic service, unlike its upcoming Call Screening feature. Based on Android Authority’s findings, it appears that Samsung’s Call Screening feature may be more intricate than Google’s, with the potential to catch even more calls. The Medium level, in particular, seems like it would work best, as it casts a wide net, not just for scam calls, but also for international numbers trying to call you.
It’s a feature Pixel phones have had for a long time, and Apple even recently copied it with iOS 26. So, Samsung introducing Call Screening sooner rather than later would make sense to me, as it’s playing catch-up here.
Scam calls are easily one of the most annoying things to deal with on any smartphone. You hear your phone ringing and think it could be something important, only to find out it’s a random, unknown number calling you. Literally, while I was writing this story, I received one on my phone. Google’s call screening feature, which has been around since 2018, is one of my favorite Pixel features, as it saves you from having to pick up the phone, especially if you’re unsure if a number is spam or not.
It’s worth noting again that this feature was spotted in development code for One UI 8.5, so there’s a possibility that it may not be released with the update. The code Android Authority saw was also in Korean and not in English yet, so it’s entirely possible that it could be released in Korea first, before making its way to international markets.
Personally, I hope this Call Screening feature arrives on Galaxy devices with One UI 8.5. It’s a feature Pixel phones have had for a long time, and Apple even recently copied it with iOS 26. So, Samsung introducing Call Screening sooner rather than later would make sense to me, as it’s playing catch-up here.
