There are devices that outright beat competitors on specs. But your ideal choice is usually the one that meets your specific needs. Apple, Google, and Samsung Galaxy devices each have distinct strengths. They target similar markets, but some features are unique to Samsung Galaxy smartphones or tablets. They may be niche in certain cases, but for some users, they could sway a purchase decision over a rival product.
The South Korean tech giant has developed a range of proprietary features for its devices, each part of the broader Galaxy Android platform. Competitors have created their own counterparts for some with similar functionality—and in some cases got there first—but you can only find these specific implementations on a Galaxy device.
We’ll explore functionality ranging from advanced stylus options to a broader security suite built on Samsung’s Knox. It might not be worth buying a Samsung Galaxy S24 in 2026, but the broader Galaxy family offers some impressive tools.
1. Secure Folder
Privacy is paramount for any smart device. For Samsung, the headliner is Secure Folder, powered by Samsung Knox.
Some apps like WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption on conversations, meaning even WhatsApp can’t access their contents. Samsung’s Secure Folder encrypts its contents too, giving users a space on their smartphones that nobody but themselves can access. It supports biometric access and functions similarly to Android’s own Private Space feature.
To create a Secure Folder for sensitive content, access your compatible device’s advanced security settings. From the Secure Folder menu, you choose how it unlocks—options include a password (recoverable via your Samsung account if forgotten), fingerprint, PIN, or pattern.
It’s simple to use: add content by selecting the file type and its location on the device. You can either move it from its original location into Secure Folder or create a copy without affecting the original, providing valuable flexibility.
However you use it, another key point: the Secure Folder icon itself doesn’t have to be displayed on your screen if you don’t want it to be. There’s an option to hide it until needed. One final caveat: Secure Folder can be backed up to the cloud, but doing so creates a security risk if someone breaches your cloud account.
2. Samsung Wallet
Increasingly, we use mobile devices not just for banking but for everyday purchases. Apps providing these services are essential, and Samsung’s offering is Samsung Wallet.
In the US, this is available across a wide range of Samsung smartphones—Galaxy Watch, Galaxy A, Galaxy S, and Galaxy Z Flip and Fold models—provided you’ve upgraded to One UI 6.0 (or Galaxy 9) and above. The app effectively combines Samsung Pass and Samsung Pay, meaning you can use it not just for payments but for any digital ID you might need.
While this is a Galaxy-exclusive feature, it’s not your only option for a payment/ID app. Google Wallet is widely available for Android users, and both come pre-installed on Galaxy devices, so you can try both and decide which suits you best. Frequent travelers might prefer Google Wallet since it’s less specialized and more widely accepted internationally. But if you want to keep everything unified within the Galaxy ecosystem, Samsung Wallet is the pick.
Samsung Wallet can also house your digital car key via digital access storage, letting you unlock compatible smart door locks via Near Field Communication through Samsung SmartThings.
3. Private Share
Private Share doesn’t just provide encrypted communication. Added with the Galaxy S21 launch, it lets users share the most confidential documents between two compatible Galaxy devices.
Strict rules govern the files once they arrive. The recipient can only read them—no screenshots or any other method of capturing a record is available. If they’re only needed for a limited time, the sender can ensure they become inaccessible on the receiving device whenever they wish.
The utility is clear: you might have sensitive private documents for an accountant, for instance, that you don’t want to simply send via a messaging app or email. To remove potentially identifying data before sending, the sender can strip metadata from the content.
It’s one of Samsung’s more distinctive features—unavailable for tablets and limited to Galaxy mobile devices. It’s designed for ease of use, with users selecting a recipient from Contacts or via the Biometrics & Security menu to initiate. Both devices need at least Android 9 to send or receive via Private Share, and the key to this system is its use of blockchain to thwart outside access attempts. Even so, there are questions about whether Samsung’s data collection practices make it as foolproof as you’d hope.
4. Second Screen
Those with dedicated setups can use high-end monitors simultaneously. But that’s expensive and space-heavy, and not portable. Samsung’s Second Screen feature is a convenient alternative.
A simple Second Screen icon in Quick Settings lets you either mirror what’s showing on the other screen or extend the view to your tablet. When using such features (counterparts include Apple’s Sidecar within its ecosystem), syncing two devices can be tricky. You have two modes: Video mode for passive viewing across both screens, and Drawing/Gaming mode for a more responsive experience.
It’s a convenient space-saving workaround that requires no tangled wires—it’s fully wireless, offering an impromptu connect-and-disconnect solution for cross-device collaboration. Available on Galaxy Tab S8 and S7 models, as well as Windows PCs running Windows 10 v2004 and above. It’s one of the features worth knowing if you’re new to Samsung tablets.
5. Air Actions
With touchscreens, a stylus enables more precise control and a less smudgy surface, opening up new functionality. Digital artists, for instance, can draw naturally without using their fingers. Samsung has the S Pen, a tool included with Galaxy Tabs and Galaxy Note (now Ultra) devices. It’s more than just a stylus.
It has a button that wakes it up and, depending on context, does things like remotely control the tablet or act as the camera’s shutter button. Simply holding the button triggers this, but there’s much more. It can translate languages and execute a series of gestures called Air Actions.
Air Actions work with a wide range of Samsung’s S Pens, but specific functions depend on your device. For instance, Galaxy Note/Ultra phones and the Tab series from S7 to S10 have varying compatibility. The functionality spans the Galaxy hardware line broadly. To give users more choice, Samsung offers several S Pen variants: S Pen Creator, S Pen Pro, and S Pen Fold. The Fold edition is designed to be more comfortable for extended use—suited for digital artists or anyone holding it for long sessions. The Pro model emphasizes connectivity with Bluetooth that other models lack.
