Samsung DeX is a desktop interface found on many Samsung phones and tablets. Since its debut on the Galaxy S8, DeX has evolved into a viable PC replacement. I've already replaced my desktop computer with DeX, and I'm here to tell you why it's a good enough replacement for your device. Here's a taste of what it can do.
1- Resize the apps to any size you want.
The ability to move and resize windows is an essential part of the desktop environment. This includes: Samsung DeX.
Yes, you're still running Android apps, but these do a great job of scaling to the size you want. Apps with phone and tablet variations dynamically change from one style to another once the window reaches a certain size. While you may experience the occasional crash, most of the time everything works fine.
2- Side-sizing windows, pinning apps, and making windows transparent
Come DeX It comes with some relatively advanced window management features. The basics are covered, such as the ability to minimize and maximize windows, but there's also window tiling. You can drag a window to the side to occupy the left or right half of your screen (you can also maximize it by dragging the window to the top).
take Samsung It takes things further by allowing you to pin a window on top of other windows and make the window transparent as well. This way, you can work on a spreadsheet in the background while the transparent calculator app hovers on top.
3- Run any number of applications you want.
From the beginning, Android has been able to run multiple apps simultaneously. You can switch between these apps even if you can't initially see them on the screen, since this type of multitasking wasn't introduced until years later. The downside? Android will automatically close certain apps in the background to prevent your phone from crashing.
By default, DeX will continue to close background apps after a significant number of them are open. With the power of flagship phones, this number is likely higher than you'd expect. However, if you go to the Galaxy Store and download the Samsung Good Lock app, you can disable this entirely. With the flick of a switch, you can keep as many apps open as you like. I've enabled this switch, and I haven't experienced any slowdown on my Galaxy Z Fold 5 yet.
4- Search in applications, files and the web
Like your phone, DeX defaults to an app drawer filled with apps, but you don't have to open this drawer to launch anything. Alongside the app drawer icon is a very powerful search icon. Typing a query into the pop-up search field lets you search for apps, files, and perform web searches. It's as capable as the search bar that appears at the top of your phone.
5- Sort applications into groups
The ability to sort apps into groups has long been a part of many Android launchers. DeX brings this functionality to the desktop. You can drop your video streaming apps into a video folder or group all your work apps in one place.
You can also drag these folders to your desktop. I personally remove icons from my desktop as quickly as possible, but folders offer another way to keep things organized.
6- Hide and customize the taskbar
We all expect slightly different things from our computers. While many people want all their functions visible at once, others find this distracting. Samsung DeX gives you the power to customize the taskbar to your liking.
Everything is enabled by default, but you can remove icons from the taskbar that you don't intend to use. This includes the search icon and the screenshot button. You can also hide the taskbar so you only see it when you drag your mouse to the bottom of the screen.
7- Limit charging to preserve the battery.
If you use your Samsung DeX as your primary computer, as I do, this can put a strain on your smartphone's battery. Leaving your phone plugged in all the time can mean leaving the battery at 100% for most of the day. Combine this with the fact that desktop mode is a relatively demanding task, and instead of improving your phone's battery health, you could actually be shortening it.
Samsung offers an option to limit battery charge to 85%. This is a good setting to enable even if you're not using desktop mode. Lithium batteries don't like to stay at a high state of charge for long, and 85% is roughly the same level recommended for charging electric cars, too.
8- Manage removable drives
Your computer acts as a hub where you can manage other devices. This makes it important for your computer to be able to manage flash drives, external hard drives, and other USB devices. Samsung DeX has this capability.
Technically, this is something any Android phone can do, assuming you have a USB-C docking station. Not everything you plug in will work, though. Some flash drives or hard drives need to be reformatted before Android recognizes them. Printers lack the necessary drivers, but it's easy to print wirelessly on Android.
9- Browse data with a full file manager
Your computer needs to provide you with full access to all your files. This includes creating folders, selecting multiple files at once, copying, pasting, and dragging and dropping. Samsung's default file manager handles this extensively. When you expand the window, it looks like a traditional file manager, like you'd find on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Plus, there are plenty of powerful third-party alternatives if you need them.
10- Use any desktop resolution.
This wasn't the case initially, but Samsung DeX now supports almost any desktop resolution. You'll need to download the Good Lock app if you want to access 4K resolution, but that app is a free and simple download.
Unfortunately, you don't have the option to connect your Samsung device to more than one display at the same time, although you can mitigate this somewhat by running DeX on an ultrawide display instead.
It's hard to overstate how convenient it is to use your phone as your primary computer. I'm writing the first draft of this article using voice input while walking around my back porch in the midday sun. I can then sit in my home office, connect my phone to my monitor, and work with a full desktop workspace. No syncing files. No worrying about a data connection. No copying and pasting text from one place to another.
I can take photos directly from my phone without having to move them, and they're available for immediate editing. And since my phone folds into a book-like shape, I can continue most tasks even when I'm away from my desk.
If you can get most of your work done on a Chromebook or you know there's an Android app available to do everything you need, Samsung DeX is now more than capable enough to act as your personal computer when just the smartphone form factor just isn't enough.
