Bold claim first: Samsung’s Circle to Search on the Galaxy S26 is shockingly effective at helping me shop, even turning an outfit into a shopping list in seconds. And yes, this is the part where it gets really compelling—and a little controversial for how easy it makes impulse purchases.
Vanessa Hand Orellana leads our coverage on wearables and consumer tech. She’s tested countless smartwatches and phones, and this piece comes from her personal experience with Samsung’s upgraded Circle to Search feature. Her background includes on-camera reporting for CNET’s Spanish-language site, then transitioning to English-language hosting and production for CNET videos and YouTube series. When she’s not reviewing gadgets, you’ll find her hiking or trail running with family.
What it does and why it matters
As a fashion enthusiast constantly chasing outfit inspiration, Vanessa has spent more hours than she cares to admit trying to identify exact pieces from TV scenes or red-carpet looks. At Galaxy Unpacked in San Francisco, Samsung unveiled an enhanced Circle to Search that can identify multiple items from a single image. Eager to test it, she headed straight to the Galaxy S26 demo area.
Circle to Search first appeared on the Galaxy S24 and then expanded to other devices as Google Lens, offering an almost magical experience: point at anything on your screen and get instant results. The tool can identify objects, translate text, and surface contextual results without leaving the app you’re using.
Now it’s smarter and broader. Google even says Circle to Search is now available on Pixel 10 devices as well. Instead of identifying a single item, it can recognize and surface information about multiple elements in one go, including an entire outfit. The feature spans a wide range of uses—from identifying bird species to translating text—but Samsung emphasizes fashion and shopping as its most popular use cases.
A hands-on try that surprised even a skeptic
Vanessa decided to test the feature on her own outfit. In a convention hall with harsh lighting, she remained skeptical it would deliver—and it did. Here’s how it played out:
1) It began with an AI-generated scene summary: “The look features a vibrant blue structured blazer, white top, dark fitted leggings, and classic black leather boots.” Right after, she tapped “Find the look.”
2) In seconds, the system surfaced the exact cerulean blazer she wore, with a direct link to the retailer and a range of similar options—from premium to affordable picks. The speed and relevance felt almost uncanny, saving her what would have been at least a 20-minute search.
3) Down the page, the system matched her glossy black leggings with convincing duplicates from various retailers, even surfacing a decade-old knee-high boot and a used pair from Postmark—humorously acknowledging that her own boots are very old. It did miss one item: the shirt worn beneath the blazer, which was clearly visible. That gap hints at the next frontier: layering and texture detection.
Impressions and friction, or the lack thereof
The most surprising hurdle wasn’t the tech’s capability but how to activate it. Vanessa asked a Samsung staffer to capture a full-body shot, then, on the screen, she long-pressed the home button to trigger a Google overlay. She had to circle herself from head to toe, a step that felt clunky but is likely to improve with future refinements. If there were a programmable action button for this, she’d press it in a heartbeat—though she admits her wallet would suffer.
What this means for shopping and beyond
Samsung and Google have effectively reduced the gap between admiring a look and buying it. Not long ago, you might screenshot a look, hunt via Pinterest, and chase down similar pieces. Today’s approach is faster, cleaner, and—despite a few kinks—astonishingly effective for fashion lovers.
Where it could head next
If Circle to Search keeps improving, expect more robust multi-item detection (like full outfits with layered pieces) and better handling of contextual clues (such as textures and accessories). Guardrails may become necessary to curb impulse shopping, especially for users who find the feature irresistible.
Would you want this level of shopping assistance on your phone, or would you worry about over-reliance and overspending? Share your thoughts in the comments: is this a powerful shopping utility or a potential budget trap?
