Samsung has announced that the features of Circle to Search will be limited to Google and Samsung phones until September of this year. This means that owners of Galaxy and Pixel phones will have exclusive access to this feature, which allows users to search without leaving their current app by using a circular gesture on the screen. However, after September, Samsung suggests that Circle to Search will be available on other Android phones starting October. This could be a strategic move to build hype and exclusivity for upcoming Google and Samsung launches, including the rumored Pixel 8a and Galaxy Z Fold 6 / Z Flip 6.
In a recent press release, Samsung Netherlands revealed that the Galaxy S24 series has shattered sales records in the Netherlands and is one of the first phones to feature Circle to Search with Google. This exclusivity of the feature will likely add to the allure of Samsung and Google’s upcoming product launches. Despite this exclusive access, Circle to Search is expected to eventually reach other Android devices, but for the most part of the year, it will remain limited to Galaxy and Pixel phones. The delay until September is seen as a savvy strategic move by Samsung, as they plan to maintain the exclusivity of the feature before the release of the Pixel 8a and the Galaxy Z Fold 6 / Z Flip 6.
The speed and convenience of using Circle to Search make it a desirable feature for Android users, and its limited availability on Galaxy and Pixel phones until October only adds to its appeal. The anticipation of its eventual accessibility to other Android devices builds excitement, especially in light of the rumored product launches later this year. Samsung’s decision to withhold the feature until September may serve to add a layer of exclusivity to the upcoming Google and Samsung releases, further amplifying the excitement and anticipation around these new products.