- Samsung killed its “classic” DeX in One UI 8, replacing it with a new version built on top of Google’s native Desktop Mode in Android.
- This move aligns DeX with Google’s broader effort to improve Android’s desktop capabilities, which should benefit DeX in the long run.
- However, the new DeX is currently a downgrade for users, as it lacks many quality-of-life features that were present in the classic version.
Samsung DeX is one of the best features of One UI, letting you transform your powerful Galaxy phone or tablet into a portable PC. You simply hook up your Galaxy device to an external display, fire up DeX mode, and connect some accessories, and you have a full desktop experience. DeX has evolved over the years, but the latest One UI 8 release brings its most significant changes yet. Samsung has killed off the “classic” DeX experience, replacing it with a new version that’s arguably a downgrade for now. However, this change is poised to pay off handsomely in the future. Here’s why.
Samsung introduced DeX with the Galaxy S8 series in 2017, over two years before Google added even a rudimentary desktop mode to Android. Because Android natively lacked much of the functionality DeX required, Samsung had to make significant under-the-hood changes to the operating system. For example, Samsung modified core Android components to add its own desktop windowing system, a dedicated desktop launcher, and an improved connected display experience. This required a massive effort that didn’t stop at the initial launch, as Samsung had to carry these custom changes forward through multiple Android releases.