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Google has announced the expansion of its Circle to Search feature to older and mid-range Pixel devices, starting from March 27. CEO Sundar Pichai revealed that the AI feature will also be extended to “more Pixel and Samsung phones, foldables, and tablets.”
Initially introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series and the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8, Circle to Search is now making its way to older Pixel models, including the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, as part of the March Pixel Feature Drop. Additionally, Google will include Circle to Search in the entry-level Google Pixel 7a and other older models such as the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and the budget Pixel 6a. Moreover, the feature will be added to the Google Pixel Fold and Google Pixel Tablet in the coming weeks.
Several older Samsung devices will also receive Circle to Search through an update to One UI 6.1, including last year’s Galaxy S23 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy Tab S9 series of tablets.
However, it’s unlikely that older phones from the Pixel 5 line or earlier will receive the feature due to the end of OS support for these models.
To utilize Circle to Search, users simply need to press and hold the home button to activate an overlay. This overlay allows users to circle the element they want to search for using their finger. The AI-powered search then identifies the circled item and provides relevant search results.
The move to extend Circle to Search to older and more affordable devices demonstrates Google’s commitment to making cutting-edge AI features accessible to a wider range of users without necessitating an upgrade.