Imagine scrolling through social media and spotting a cool pair of sneakers or a beautiful plant. Instead of typing long descriptions like “white sneakers with blue stripes” or “green indoor plant with round leaves,” what if you could just circle the object on your screen — and your phone instantly told you what it is?
That’s exactly what Samsung’s Galaxy M17 5G can do with its innovative “Circle to Search” feature. This new addition makes searching effortless, blending Samsung’s One UI power with Google’s AI intelligence.
What Is “Circle to Search”?
“Circle to Search” is an AI-driven visual search tool that allows you to find information about any object on your screen — simply by circling it. Whether it’s a product, landmark, food item, or piece of text, the Galaxy M17 5G instantly analyzes it and displays Google Search results without you needing to leave the current app.
It’s like having Google Lens built right into your phone’s navigation system — but faster, smarter, and more seamless. The feature works across apps — Instagram, YouTube, web pages, or your gallery — and makes information discovery effortless.
Does Galaxy M17 5G Have Circle to Search?
Yes, the Galaxy M17 5G supports Circle to Search as part of its upgraded AI features in the latest One UI and Android 14 updates. If your phone hasn’t received it yet, head to:
Settings → Software Update → Download and Install.
Once updated, you’ll see the feature integrated with Google’s search system. It’s designed to enhance your everyday experiences — from shopping to learning to identifying objects in seconds.
How to Use Circle to Search on Galaxy M17 5G
Using Circle to Search is incredibly simple. Here’s how to get started:
- Open any app – for example, Instagram, YouTube, or your photo gallery.
- Long-press the Home button or navigation bar handle.
- The screen will freeze momentarily.
- Draw a circle around the object you want to identify.
- Instantly, a Google Search window will pop up at the bottom with detailed results — including images, shopping links, or related information.
You can also tap, scribble, or highlight instead of drawing a circle. This flexibility makes it convenient for one-handed use.
Also Read: How Galaxy M36 5G Feature Lets You Find Any Object with Just a Circle
Best Uses of Circle to Search
Here are some practical ways to use this feature on your Galaxy M17 5G:
- 👜 Shopping Made Easy: See a handbag online? Circle it and instantly find where to buy it and price comparisons.
- 🌿 Identify Plants or Animals: Traveling or gardening? Circle a plant or animal to learn its name and species details.
- 🍽️ Find Recipes or Ingredients: Watching a cooking video? Circle a dish to discover its recipe or origin.
- 🏙️ Travel Smarter: Circle a landmark to learn its history or location.
- 📖 Study Aid: Circle text, equations, or charts in study materials to get instant explanations.
Troubleshooting & Tips
If Circle to Search isn’t working properly on your Galaxy M17 5G, here are quick fixes:
- Update your device and Google app to the latest versions.
- Ensure Google Search and Assistant are enabled.
- If using gesture navigation, activate Circle to Search by holding your navigation handle.
- Try to circle precisely around the object — tighter circles yield more accurate results.
Pro Tip: The feature works best when your internet connection is stable, as it relies on Google’s AI-powered search engine.
How Is Circle to Search Different from Google Lens or Bixby Vision?
While all three features help you identify objects, here’s how Circle to Search stands out:
| Feature | Function | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Google Lens | Opens a separate app for image-based search | Standalone use |
| Bixby Vision | Samsung’s tool for translating, scanning, or shopping via the camera | Camera-based actions |
| Circle to Search | Works directly on-screen by circling any object | Quick, instant, gesture-based search |
So instead of switching apps, Circle to Search lets you stay within the same screen — saving time and boosting productivity.
Privacy & Safety Note
When using Circle to Search, your selections are processed by Google’s AI systems. While it’s secure, always check your app permissions and privacy settings if you’re concerned about data sharing.
In Which Phones Is the Circle to Search Feature Available?
“Circle to Search” was first introduced in January 2024 with the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. Later, it expanded to other flagship and upper mid-range devices.
Here’s a list of popular phones that currently support the feature:
Samsung Phones with Circle to Search
- Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 (after One UI 6.1 update)
- Galaxy S23 series
- Galaxy M17 5G (with latest update)
Google Phones with Circle to Search
- Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Fold (pre-installed)
Samsung continues to roll this feature out to more models as part of its AI update strategy in One UI 6.1 and later versions.
Also Read: S24 Ultra Price Drop – Best Samsung Galaxy Offers & Festive Sale Deals
Is Circle to Search Limited to Samsung Only, or Do Other Brands Also Have It?
No, the Circle to Search feature isn’t exclusive to Samsung. It was co-developed by Google and Samsung, meaning it’s available on select devices from both brands.
As of now, only Pixel and Galaxy devices officially support it. However, Google has hinted that the feature could expand to other Android manufacturers in future updates — potentially including brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola.
So, while Samsung users enjoy a wider rollout, this powerful AI feature is part of the Google ecosystem and not limited to Samsung alone.
Which Samsung Phones Will Get Circle to Search?
Samsung first introduced Circle to Search in collaboration with Google on the Galaxy S24 series in early 2024. Since then, the feature has gradually expanded to more models through One UI 6.1 and future updates.
Here’s a list of Samsung phones that already have or are expected to receive Circle to Search:
✅ Currently Available On
- Galaxy S24, S24+, and S24 Ultra
- Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5
- Galaxy Tab S9 series
- Galaxy M17 5G (with latest update)
🔄 Expected in Future Updates
- Galaxy A55 and A35 (after One UI 6.1 rollout)
- Galaxy M14, M54, and A16 (possible inclusion in next AI update)
- Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 (in beta testing for AI feature expansion)
Samsung plans to make its AI ecosystem more inclusive, but lower-end models may receive limited functionality depending on their processing capabilities.
Is Circle to Search Available on All Android Phones?
Currently, no — Circle to Search is not available on all Android phones.
It requires advanced AI processing capabilities and deep integration with the Android system and Google Search.
Here’s why it’s limited for now:
- The feature relies on on-device AI recognition and real-time visual search.
- It needs Android 14 or higher and specific hardware optimizations.
That said, Google plans to expand availability to more Android models in upcoming versions. So, if your phone doesn’t have it yet, it may arrive through future updates or new releases.
Circle to Search on Samsung A16, A05s, and Other Phones
Samsung’s “Circle to Search” feature has quickly become one of the most talked-about AI tools in the smartphone world. The idea of finding anything on your screen by simply drawing a circle has captivated users — but not all Samsung phones have it yet.
If you’re wondering whether Galaxy A16 or A05s comes with Circle to Search, or which Samsung models are next in line to receive it, here’s everything you need to know.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A16 Have Circle to Search?
As of now, the Samsung Galaxy A16 does not have the Circle to Search feature pre-installed.
This feature is currently exclusive to devices running One UI 6.1 or later, paired with Android 14 and compatible AI hardware. Since the Galaxy A16 is part of Samsung’s affordable A-series lineup, it hasn’t received the necessary AI upgrades yet.
However, Samsung often rolls out AI features gradually. Once the A16 receives the One UI 6.1.1 or One UI 7 update, there’s a chance that Circle to Search may become available in future software updates — but as of now, it’s not supported.
Tip: You can still use Google Lens on your A16 to identify objects, plants, or products — it works similarly but requires opening a separate app instead of circling on-screen.
Does the Samsung A05s Have Circle to Search?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A05s does not support Circle to Search.
The A05s runs on a Snapdragon 680 processor and typically ships with One UI Core, which lacks advanced AI integration features like Circle to Search.
While it supports Google Lens and Bixby Vision, it doesn’t include the hardware or system-level AI optimizations required for Circle to Search to work.
If you own an A05s and want similar functionality, you can use:
- Google Lens (available in the Google app or Camera).
- Smart Select (Samsung Edge Panel tool) to crop and search manually.
These tools won’t fully replace Circle to Search, but they offer comparable results for identifying objects and getting quick info.
Also Read: New iPhone Update Features – iOS 26
When Will Mid-Range Phones Get Circle to Search?
Samsung has confirmed that it plans to bring select Galaxy AI features to more models in 2025. The rollout depends on:
- Processor compatibility (AI-capable chipsets like Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200).
- RAM and GPU performance.
- Android 15 and One UI 7 updates.
So while the Galaxy A16 and A05s don’t have Circle to Search right now, they may get limited AI features — like live translation or enhanced image search — in future updates.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy M17 5G’s Circle to Search is more than a fancy AI trick — it’s a step toward effortless discovery. With just one gesture, you can turn curiosity into knowledge, ideas into actions, and moments into opportunities.
So next time you spot something interesting on your screen, don’t just scroll past it — circle it! Your Galaxy M17 5G will do the rest.
FAQs
Can I use Circle to Search on videos?
Yes! You can pause the video and circle an object to search it — perfect for finding clothes, places, or products featured in YouTube or reels.
Does it work offline?
No, it requires an internet connection since it uses Google’s online database for accurate results.
Is Circle to Search available in all regions?
The feature may roll out gradually, so if you don’t see it yet, check for software updates regularly.