Skip to main content

Have one of these Google Pixel phones? You’re getting Circle to Search

Someone holding the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a next to each other.
Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Circle to Search — Google’s excellent search tool that debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 earlier this year — is about to become available to more people. Specifically, it’s coming to a bunch more Pixel devices, giving even more people a chance to use it for themselves.

As the name implies, Circle to Search allows you to circle or scribble anything on your screen to perform a Google Search for it. It’s great for those times you see something on your phone and want to know more about it, but aren’t sure how to type out a Google Search for it. It launched on the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in January and then quickly made its way to the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Now, Google says Circle to Search is expanding to the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7a. As of March 27, the feature is “currently rolling out,” so keep your eyes peeled for it to hit your phone soon. So long as your Google app is updated to the latest available version, it should arrive shortly.

In addition to the above phones, Google also says that Circle to Search is “coming soon” to the Google Pixel Fold and the Google Pixel Tablet. It’s unclear when exactly this is happening, but they’re both confirmed to get Circle to Search at some point. This news follows Samsung’s recent rollout of One UI 6.1, which adds Circle to Search (among other Galaxy AI features) to the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold 5, and Galaxy Z Flip 5.

Renders showing Circle to Search's new translation button.
Google

Along with adding Circle to Search to more Pixels, Google has also announced a new way to use the feature. If you’re looking at something on your screen that’s in a different language — such as a menu, website, etc. — Circle to Search will show a translation button so you can instantly translate the foreign text into whatever language you speak. Google says it will be rolling out “in the coming weeks.”

Joe Maring
Joe Maring is the Section Editor for Digital Trends' Mobile team, leading the site's coverage for all things smartphones…
I love the Galaxy Z Fold 6, but the Pixel 9 Pro Fold may change that
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold next to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6.

A year ago, I never expected to write this. Samsung had just launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 with iterative changes over the Z Fold 4, and Google’s first attempt at a folding phone left a lot to be desired. Google had phenomenal software features like Call Screen and Live Transcribe, but Samsung had much better hardware, the S-Pen, and incredible productivity tools.

Fast-forward a year, and it’s a very different landscape. Samsung made further iterations with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and it’s a phenomenal folding phone. The form factor and size are great, especially when using two apps side-by-side on the main display. It has an S-Pen, and I love using mine. The problem is I can’t stop thinking about the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Read more
How AI has quietly transformed this one camera feature on your phone
The title image for the Outtafocus column, showing the Google Pixel 9 Pro's camera.

All the latest AI camera features in the Google Pixel 9 Pro, Google Photos, and a host of other recently launched phones and devices got me thinking. I quite enjoy some of them and can’t deny the usefulness of Magic Eraser.

Still, I wonder how many will have the longevity of a camera feature I’ve watched steadily improve to become so much more exciting over the last few years, and where AI is working behind the scenes. I’m talking about our phones' telephoto and digital zoom features, where AI is a mostly silent, but critical part of the story.
Telephoto cameras on phones
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (top left), Huawei P30 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Read more
The Pixel 9 completely changed my mind about Google Pixel phones
Pixel 9 Pro in Rose Quartz.

I confess: I've never been a Google Pixel fan. Every year, I wait for Google to release something new, I buy it, and I am left disappointed. Google's phones have never felt as premium as the competition, but the Google Pixel 9 has completely changed that. It's the best regular-sized phone I’ve ever used. It's also convinced me to go all-in on Google this year and buy the Pixel 9 Pro.

One of my disappointments with the Google Pixel 8 Pro is its size: I have been waiting for Google to deliver a Pro phone without compromises, and the Pixel 9 series finally delivers. For most people, the regular Pixel 9 is the phone to buy, but if you want improvements in the display, battery, charging, and camera, the Pixel 9 Pro is the winner.

Read more