Latest Pixel and Samsung phones get an exclusive upgrade from Google

Circle to Search is a more intuitive way to search for images online, coming to Galaxy S24 phones.
Google
Andrew Williams18 January 2024

Google wants to change how you search on your phone with a new feature called Circle to Search. 

Circle to Search is a new ability added to Google Lens, and it’s coming to the Samsung Galaxy S24 phones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, on January 31. 

Google sells Circle to Search as a new AI feature. “Through our investments in AI, we’ve developed completely new ways to express what you’re looking for, in the way that’s most natural to you,” says Google GM vice president of search Cathy Edwards. However, this is more of an interface level-up for a feature already part of Google’s software. 

At present, Android owners can search for what’s on their phone screen using “Search Screen", an option in the Google Assistant pop-up display. This highlights elements on-screen, which can then be tapped to select. Circle to Search lets you use on-screen gestures to  pick something to look up, by drawing around a dress you see on Instagram, for example. 

Google Lens will also accept scribbles over objects, or words, to select them as a search term. Here’s Google’s trailer for Circle to Search:

One part this explainer video may not make abundantly clear, unless you’re paying attention, is the Google Lens overlay has to be brought up for someone to use Circle to Search. 

This is typically done by long-pressing the Home soft key, or equivalent. 

The feature was announced alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 family of phones, and is part of a big focus on AI likely to be seen in phone launches throughout 2024. 

Google says the intent is to let you do more “without switching apps", and has used this demo to highlight Multisearch, a feature it launched in beta back in April 2022

Multisearch lets you make a search query containing both images and text. Google’s example is highlighting a “Korean corn dog” and asking why it is so popular. Good question.

Samsung and Google are out to make a big splash with “AI” features like this, but the more significant improvement here is in making a potentially tricky-to-grasp interaction more intuitive. 

Circle to Search begins rolling out to Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 series phones from January 31, but there’s currently no word of it trickling down to other devices.  

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