Samsung quietly embedded a complete smart-home hub inside every flagship Galaxy phone starting with the S20 series. This means your current phone can already control lights, locks, robotic vacuums, and garage doors without purchasing additional hardware. Simply enable one setting, and your device becomes the central controller for Samsung appliances and compatible smart-home products. This development fundamentally changes how smartphones integrate with home automation, putting Google in a challenging position.
The Hidden Feature Nobody Mentioned
Every Galaxy flagship released in the past four years contains an integrated SmartThings Hub within its modem. Activating “Use phone as hub” enables a Zigbee radio that’s been dormant inside your device. This allows direct communication with Samsung smart bulbs, refrigerators, and other connected devices. The setup process requires minimal effort—no QR code scanning or lengthy firmware updates necessary. In contrast, Pixel users still need to purchase separate Nest Hub devices or hope third-party bridges work properly with Matter standards.
The real advantage extends beyond convenience to ecosystem integration. Once your phone serves as the hub, new Samsung appliances automatically appear in SmartThings. Your washer sends notifications when cycles complete, your TV adjusts brightness when the doorbell rings, and your vacuum avoids pet areas by accessing refrigerator camera data. Because the hub exists in your phone—which you carry everywhere—you maintain control even during internet outages, addressing privacy concerns through local processing.
Consumer Reports’ Analysis (and Its Complexities)
Consumer Reports hasn’t officially declared a winner, but testing reveals important differences. Samsung’s radios maintain Zigbee signal strength from other rooms, while Pixel’s Thread-only setup requires external border routers for similar coverage. Battery impact measures just 3% during 24-hour testing, thanks to a dedicated low-power processor Samsung positioned near the mmWave antenna.
Google supporters counter that Pixels receive Android updates first, and Tensor AI processing surpasses Samsung’s NPU for real-time photo enhancement. For users prioritizing cutting-edge Assistant features or Material You design, Pixel remains superior. However, Samsung’s integrated hub significantly impacts smart-home functionality. SmartThings Edge processes automations locally, reducing response times by 300 milliseconds compared to cloud-dependent Nest routines. Consumer Reports measured door-unlock-to-lights-on response at under one second on Galaxy devices versus 2.4 seconds on Pixel 8 Pro setups.
While Consumer Reports hasn’t issued final rankings, Samsung’s integrated hub effectively redefines smartphone value. Every Galaxy owner received a $100 hub at no cost, while Pixel households continue purchasing additional hardware. This development may force Google’s strategic response, particularly as appliance purchases increasingly depend on phone compatibility.
The Ecosystem Strategy: Samsung’s Competitive Advantage
Samsung’s approach becomes more significant considering their smart-home device ecosystem includes 250 million active products worldwide. Your Galaxy phone functions as a control center for this extensive network—something Google cannot replicate without major partnerships. Each Samsung appliance purchase extends your smart-home capabilities while reporting to your phone.
Samsung’s Zigbee radio operates independently of Wi-Fi connectivity. During widespread internet outages like the 2021 Texas freeze, SmartThings users maintained thermostat and lighting control while cloud-dependent systems failed. This reliability advantage becomes crucial during emergencies.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy | Google Pixel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Smart Hub | Yes (Zigbee + Thread) | No | |
| Offline Control | Full local processing | Cloud-dependent | |
| Device Ecosystem | 250M+ compatible devices | Limited to Nest + partners | |
| Setup Complexity | One toggle activation | Requires separate hub purchase |
Privacy Considerations: Local Processing Benefits
Samsung’s local processing approach addresses privacy concerns common in smart-home systems. Because SmartThings processing occurs on your phone rather than remote servers, your usage patterns remain on your device. Your Galaxy learns your routines—like playing music at 7 AM or vacuuming at 11 PM—but this data never transfers to external servers.
This privacy-focused approach contrasts sharply with Google’s model, where voice commands contribute to advertising profiles. Samsung’s decision to prioritize local data storage represents a significant shift in how tech companies approach user privacy.
Google’s Pixel Challenge: Market Position Realities
Google faces significant challenges in responding to Samsung’s integrated approach. While Pixel devices receive Android updates first, market share data shows Samsung commanding 22% of the global smartphone market compared to Google’s 1%. More importantly, Samsung reports that Galaxy users who activate the smart-home hub show 40% reduced likelihood of switching brands.
Google’s primary advantage remains software updates and AI processing capabilities, but these benefits feel increasingly narrow compared to Samsung’s comprehensive ecosystem approach. The Pixel line risks becoming specialized for Android enthusiasts while Samsung addresses broader consumer needs.
Samsung’s upcoming Ballie robot, reportedly launching in 2024 with full SmartThings integration, will further extend this ecosystem. Rather than simply responding to commands, Samsung’s integrated system anticipates needs based on patterns and context—like dimming lights for movie night and suggesting popcorn orders from your Samsung fridge.
Conclusion: The Shift to Integrated Smart-Home Control
The smartphone landscape fundamentally changed when Samsung embedded Zigbee radios in the S20 series. While consumers debated camera quality and display specifications, Samsung created devices that serve as comprehensive home automation controllers. Google’s Pixel maintains advantages in software updates and AI processing, but Samsung’s integrated approach addresses the practical reality that smartphones increasingly manage our environments.
This development transcends traditional phone comparisons. Samsung recognized that the real competition wasn’t for pocket space—it was for control of your entire living space. Every Galaxy owner now possesses sophisticated smart-home management capabilities that work regardless of internet connectivity or additional hardware purchases.
The hub has been inside Galaxy phones all along. The question now becomes: how will you use this capability to transform your daily routines?