Smartphone users around the world are demanding improved tools to manage spam calls and voicemails. Apple in iOS 17 and Google in Pixel have set standards with features like Live Voicemail and Call Screen. Now, Samsung also seems intent on taking the first steps in this direction.
The latest One UI 8 beta build (that is not available yet) revealed rather intriguing details about a new voicemail function on the device, ready to debut (at least initially) in selected markets. And designed to work directly on the Galaxy phone itself, this feature aims to give users more control.
How Samsung’s New Voicemail System Works
This isn’t just an upgrade to the standard Visual Voicemail. Leaked code suggests a fundamentally local approach:
- Device-Based Recording: Messages are captured and stored on your phone, bypassing your mobile carrier’s servers entirely.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Like Apple’s feature, you might be able to listen to a caller leaving a message as it happens, potentially allowing you to answer if needed.
- Seamless Playback: Access and listen to your messages directly within the Samsung Phone app—no separate dial-in required.
- Adjustable Ring Time: Users may gain the ability to set precisely how long the phone rings (from 1 second up to 20 seconds) before diverting the call to voicemail, offering greater flexibility.
Right now, Samsung’s new voicemail won’t turn voice messages into text as you listen, unlike Apple’s popular feature. But since it’s still being worked on, text transcription might be added later.
Another small difference: Samsung will let you decide how long your phone rings (from 1 to 20 seconds) before sending a caller to voicemail. This helps if you need a little extra time to answer.
At first, this feature will only be available in countries including- India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. This makes sense because voicemail services from phone companies are often hard to get or too expensive for many people. Google is also focusing on bringing its Call Screen feature to India, showing these markets are important.
Samsung hasn’t officially announced this voicemail yet, and you can’t test it in the current One UI 8 beta version (Beta 3). Since the stable version for this year are already out, this feature likely needs more time. It will probably launch early next year with the next One UI version (Likely One UI 8.5), maybe alongside the new Galaxy S26 Series.
This built-in voicemail is a big step for Samsung. It gives users more control over missed calls and relies less on phone companies. Adding text transcription later would make it just as effective as rivals and make One UI even better.
