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Two of the most notable Android phone makers offering built-in spam call protection are Google and Samsung. Each takes its own approach, but the outcome is the same: Fewer spam calls. These days, spam call protection is a necessity, as impersonation scams are on the rise, from claims that your bank account has been compromised to the notorious process server scam, which goes so far as to harass you and your family. These calls can be constant, and many spoof their numbers to look local. In other words, there's a sea of scams to navigate, and it's much easier with a Google or Samsung phone, since both have taken spam protection to the next level.

Google's protection can be more automated, but it comes with a maze of confusing names. Under the umbrella of Pixel Call Assist, a suite of calling features built into the Google Phone app, you get features like Call Screen, Clear Calling, Direct My Call, Hold For Me, and Wait Times.…