Samsung just updated this two-year-old phone with a great new feature

By Bryan M. Wolfe Updated August 21, 2024

Someone holding the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE. — Samsung

When Samsung introduced Galaxy AI earlier this year, it initially only rolled out the tool to its flagship phones, which were released in 2022 and later. This meant phones like the Galaxy S21 FE did not receive new features like Circle to Search. However, this has finally changed.

According to SamMobile, Samsung’s August 2024 security update has added this feature to the Galaxy S21 FE.

Circle to Search allows you to search by circling, highlighting, or scribbling around the text or image you’re interested in. This feature lets you quickly look up definitions, find related information, or identify objects in photos or videos.

The Galaxy S21 “Fan Edition” was released one year after the flagship Galaxy S21 devices. It has a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and Exynos or Snapdragon chips. When the Galaxy S21 FE was launched, we were impressed with its strong cameras and powerful specifications, especially at its price points. However, we were less impressed with its battery life and touchscreen performance.

Of all the Galaxy AI features, only Circle to Search was available on the other Galaxy S21 models.

Similar to the upcoming Apple Intelligence, Galaxy AI is a set of artificial intelligence features built into Samsung’s Galaxy devices. It aims to improve different aspects of the smartphone experience, including photography, translation, productivity, and accessibility.

Samsung’s August 2024 security patch is currently being distributed worldwide. It is said to fix 50 Android and Samsung One UI security vulnerabilities. You can access the update by looking in the phone’s Settings > Software update menu and seeing whether it’s installed.

Topics

Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.

Mobile

4 cheap Samsung phones are getting a top Galaxy AI feature

The Samsung Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55's cameras.

If you own a Samsung Galaxy A series phone, then look out for a software update very soon that will add Circle to Search, one of the most helpful Galaxy AI features. Initially launched with the Galaxy S24 series, Circle to Search’s name gives away its functionality. Simply circle, highlight, or tap just about anything on the screen, and the feature uses AI to perform a visual search with Google to get you results.

Circle to Search is all about speed and convenience, as you don’t have to leave an app or even know what you want to search for, so even if it’s an unknown item of clothing or a mystery animal, you can still learn all about it with a simple gesture. The feature is set to arrive on the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A54, along with the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A34.

Mobile

This is when you might be able to buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Mint Green color along with a coaster and leaf in the front.

Yesterday, we shared with you the first detailed images of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. Today, we have information on when the “fan edition” phone could be released. The date isn’t surprising, but it could upset those anxiously waiting to buy it.

According to ET News (and first spotted by Phone Arena), Samsung plans to release the new phone in October. It should arrive alongside the budget Galaxy A16. Like previous "fan edition" models, the Galaxy S24 FE phone offers many, but not all of the same features as the regular Samsung Galaxy series, likely at a lower price.

Mobile

A Samsung phone has leaked, and it could beat the Google Pixel 8a

Wireless Power Share Reverse charging on Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Mint Green color.

Leaked images have given us a look at the rumored Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which is expected to be announced in October, when it will compete with the Google Pixel 8a. Has it got what it takes to tempt us away from Google's excellent low-cost phone? According to the images the new smartphone will be released in five colors: graphite, blue, silver/white, green, and yellow. Two Samsung website-exclusive colors are also expected to be announced.

A previous leak about the next "fan edition" phone indicated it would be available in black, gray, light blue, light green, and yellow. The current Galaxy S23 FE is offered in graphite, purple, cream, mint, tangerine, and indigo. The Galaxy S24 FE is anticipated to have a 6.7-inch display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and 1900 nits of peak brightness, as well as a Samsung Exynos 2400e processor. These specifications mark improvements over those of the Galaxy S23 FE. Once again, the FE model is expected to have an aluminum frame.