Emir BardakçıApple has finally rolled out its own take on visual search—essentially a response to Google’s Circle to Search—with the release of iOS 26, announced at WWDC 2025. While this feature has been available to Android users since early 2023, Apple’s approach is to integrate “Visual Intelligence” directly into the operating system. Previously, Apple’s visual search could only identify real-world objects through the camera. Now, it can analyze whatever is on your screen, powered behind the scenes by ChatGPT. Meanwhile, Google handles this with its own Gemini AI, and Xiaomi users have been enjoying similar capabilities since the launch of the 14T series in October 2024. In short, Apple is catching up rather than breaking new ground here.
How Visual Intelligence Matches Up with Circle to Search
Apple’s Visual Intelligence enables users to search for information related to any on-screen content, mirroring the core functionality of Google’s Circle to Search, which has been present on Xiaomi’s 14T and 14T Pro devices since late 2024. Users can circle, highlight, or tap any element on their display to initiate a search.
The main distinction is in the underlying technology. Google’s solution is entirely powered by its Gemini AI, while Apple is leveraging ChatGPT integration to deliver similar results. From a user’s perspective, both systems deliver a familiar experience for everyday search and visual recognition tasks.
Xiaomi’s Early Adoption
Xiaomi’s 14T series was among the first to feature Google’s Circle to Search, letting users quickly identify or research on-screen items using intuitive gestures. This move highlighted how swiftly Android manufacturers can innovate and implement new features, often ahead of major competitors.
For Xiaomi users aiming to maximize their experience, resources like HyperOSUpdates.com or the MemeOS Enhancer app (available on the Play Store) offer access to advanced system features, updates, and customization options that further enhance Google’s visual search functionality.
The Broader Impact on Mobile Search
Apple’s adoption of this feature signals an increasing convergence between iOS and Android in terms of search capabilities. The technologies may differ, but the outcome is similar: users on both platforms now benefit from a more streamlined, intuitive way to find information directly from their screens. Ultimately, this raises the bar for user experience across the mobile industry.
As if everyone needs these AI features 🙂