Circle to Search Continuous Translation Now Available on Pixel Phones After Samsung Exclusivity Ends

Google Expands Circle to Search Translation to Pixel Devices

Google has ended Samsung's exclusivity period for one of Circle to Search's most useful features, bringing continuous translation capabilities to Pixel smartphones.

What's New

As part of yesterday's Android 16 QPR2 launch and the latest Google features drop, Pixel users can now access continuous Circle to Search translations. This feature was previously available only on Samsung Galaxy devices through an exclusivity agreement with Google.

The continuous translation feature allows users to translate text on their screen while scrolling through content without having to reinitiate Circle to Search for each new portion of text. This makes translating longer articles, social media feeds, or multi-page documents significantly more seamless and efficient.

Why It Matters to Consumers

Circle to Search has become one of Android's most popular AI-powered features, allowing users to search for anything on their screen by simply circling, highlighting, or tapping on it. The addition of continuous translation enhances this functionality by eliminating the need to repeatedly activate the feature while reading through foreign language content.

For Pixel users who frequently consume content in multiple languages—whether browsing international news sites, reading social media posts, or shopping on foreign websites—this update removes a significant friction point in the translation experience.

Availability

The feature is rolling out now to Pixel devices as part of the Android 16 QPR2 update and December feature drop. The timing of this release suggests Google maintained Samsung's exclusivity window for several months before expanding the capability to its own Pixel lineup.