{"id":560634,"date":"2026-03-24T07:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T07:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/560634\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T07:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T07:28:14","slug":"i-tested-call-screen-on-the-galaxy-s26-ultra-vs-pixel-10-pro-xl-and-theres-a-very-clear-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/560634\/","title":{"rendered":"I tested Call Screen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL \u2014 and there’s a very clear winner"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just last week, I put the Call Screen features of the Galaxy S26 and iPhone 17<\/a> to the test to see which AI assistant is better at accepting phone calls on my behalf. This time, however, I\u2019m putting the Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a> and Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/a> through the same gauntlet to see which one offers the superior experience.<\/p>\n

Google<\/a>\u2019s been technically perfecting Call Screen on its Pixel phones<\/a> for some time now, proving to me it\u2019s one of the most underrated features<\/a> around. What\u2019s even better is that this AI feature is available on practically every Pixel, with the most advanced version accessible to newer models like the Pixel 10a<\/a>, Pixel 10<\/a>, Pixel 10 Pro<\/a>, and more.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Samsung\u2019s version makes its debut with the Galaxy S26<\/a> lineup \u2014 so you could say it\u2019s playing catch-up at this point. Not only am I comparing how the Galaxy S26 Ultra specifically handles phone calls, but I\u2019ll also be gauging its performance against the Pixel 10 Pro XL\u2019s established lead.<\/p>\n

Article continues below <\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL Call Screen: What you need to know<\/p>\n

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\"Google\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide \/ John Velasco)<\/p>\n

Similar to my last test, I called both phones and left the same message to test their Call Screen performance using a mock script I had Gemini generate for me. They consist of everyday phone calls you\u2019d encounter: a package delivery, an appointment confirmation, and a dreaded solicitation call.<\/p>\n

The latter is the main reason I\u2019ve given up on answering phone calls altogether from unknown numbers, leaving these AI assistants to handle them instead. Naturally, I\u2019m not only grading them on how accurately they transcribe these messages or how natural they sound during the conversation \u2014 I\u2019m also looking at how well they respond.<\/p>\n

In fact, they need to convince me that they\u2019re just as reliable as a human.<\/p>\n

Call Screen test 1: Package delivery<\/p>\n

Image 1 of 2<\/p>\n

\"Galaxy(Image credit: Future)\"Galaxy(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

Clearly, Samsung has a long way to go before it matches what Google\u2019s been doing because Call Screen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra is as dull and basic as it gets.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, I can\u2019t get over the blatantly robotic tone of Samsung\u2019s version. It sounds like a first-generation voice assistant with its shrill tone and timed pauses, which is nowhere near the human-like quality of the Pixel 10 Pro XL\u2019s assistant. I\u2019m not saying this is a deal-breaker, but a natural voice certainly helps the conversation flow more naturally.<\/p>\n

Now, I really like how both phones show the transcribed message in real time, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra\u2019s Call Screen tool is pretty generic with its responses. It offers the same set of canned options for every phone call, so it\u2019s clearly not using AI to understand the caller’s intentions. Instead of suggesting where to leave a package, I\u2019m left with basic options like \u201cRepeat that,\u201d \u201cWho are you?\u201d and \u201cI’ll call you later.\u201d<\/p>\n

In contrast, the Pixel 10 Pro XL relies on AI for contextual responses that actually pertain to the conversation. One option it suggested was to \u201cleave it by the front door,\u201d which is a genuinely helpful instruction.<\/p>\n

What to read next<\/p>\n

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/p>\n

Call Screen test 2: Doctor\u2019s appointment confirmation<\/p>\n

Image 1 of 2<\/p>\n

\"Galaxy(Image credit: Future)\"Galaxy(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

Everyone\u2019s bound to get a phone call about confirming an appointment, but this one regarding an upcoming doctor\u2019s visit is a perfect example of how much more advanced the Call Screening feature is on the Pixel 10 Pro XL.<\/p>\n

Just as with the previous test, the AI assistant on the Pixel 10 Pro XL picks up all the cues \u2014 specifically, how the caller mentions a time to confirm for the appointment. Without me doing anything, the Pixel 10 Pro XL Call Screen tool instantly provides options to \u201cconfirm,\u201d \u201ccancel appointment,\u201d and “I’ll call back to reschedule.”<\/p>\n

This shows that the AI assistant truly comprehends the purpose of the call. These options rhighlight the disparity between Samsung and Google: Samsung\u2019s generic options accomplish nothing, while Google makes quick work of providing a meaningful response.<\/p>\n

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/p>\n

Call Screen test 3: Solicitation for a service<\/p>\n

Image 1 of 2<\/p>\n

\"Galaxy(Image credit: Future)\"Galaxy(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

While most phones nowadays automatically filter spam calls, one may still slip through every now and then \u2014 which is exactly why I love leaning on Call Screen. Both phones accepted the call, but once the message was relayed, it was immediately apparent that the Pixel 10 Pro XL already knew it was spam.<\/p>\n

Because it understands the context of the message, the Pixel picks up on details that sound like a solicitation. Ultimately, I\u2019m given the option to \u201cReport as spam,\u201d which kindly rejects the caller on my behalf.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra\u2019s Call Screen feature fails to pick up the obvious clues. Instead of an option to report the call, the responses are no different than those for any other call. It\u2019s frustrating, but at least there\u2019s an option for me to type in a custom response to be relayed back to the caller.<\/p>\n

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/p>\n

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL Call Screen: Winner<\/p>\n

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\"Galaxy\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide \/ John Velasco)<\/p>\n

Without question, Google\u2019s Call Screen feature on the Pixel 10 Pro XL is light years ahead of what Samsung is doing with the Galaxy S26 Ultra. If I\u2019m unable to take a call, I can confidently rely on my Pixel 10 Pro XL to relay the message, which I can then act upon using the intelligent options provided to me.<\/p>\n

The main reason it works so well is that the Pixel understands the conversation rather than just transcribing it. Plus, it goes the extra mile by offering contextual responses that instruct the caller on what to do \u2014 all without requiring me to manually provide explicit instructions.<\/p>\n

Samsung\u2019s effort is far from ideal, but it\u2019s a foundation upon which the company can continue to build. The gap between Samsung and Google is narrowing, primarily because they share many of the same Google AI tools, but Call Screen is a perfect example of how Google\u2019s years of data and refinement still give the Pixel a distinct edge in executing truly helpful, human-like AI automation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"Google\n<\/p>\n

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