I changed my pc with the Galaxy S26 and DeX, and it was once nice

I’ve at all times preferred the speculation of Samsung DeX greater than the considered in truth the use of it. Turning a telephone right into a desktop pc sounds extremely cool, however to me, it at all times felt like a type of options designed to provoke other people all the way through demos reasonably than one thing it is advisable to in truth rely on each day.

So naturally, I determined to do the dumb factor and use Samsung DeX as my best pc for per week. I ditched my computer and labored with not anything however my Galaxy S26, a video display, and a handful of equipment. I anticipated frustration and perhaps slightly feel sorry about, too. As a substitute, I finished up having far more a laugh than I expected.

Having spent per week with Samsung DeX, I will be able to inform you that the revel in isn’t all that other from the use of an ordinary PC. There’s a taskbar for switching between apps and managing fast settings, a launcher menu for opening apps, and a desktop that may be custom designed with widgets. DeX additionally helps window snapping, so you’ll be able to snap apps to the left or correct facet of the display screen — one thing I do at all times on my Home windows computer whilst multitasking.

What I preferred maximum about DeX, although, is that I don’t must maintain the standard syncing complications that include switching between gadgets. Because it’s necessarily the similar telephone powering the whole thing, all my apps, information, footage, accounts, or even browser tabs are already there once I transfer to paintings mode.

Being a creator, maximum of my paintings occurs within a browser, so I hardly really feel restricted with Samsung DeX. Writing, researching, modifying paperwork, managing tabs, or even hopping between Slack and e mail all labored slightly neatly. Now and then, I nearly forgot I used to be the use of my telephone as an alternative of a standard PC. The one factor I constantly neglected was once my browser extensions. My favourite browser — Courageous — doesn’t strengthen extensions on Android, so I finished up lacking Grammarly, Bitwarden, and a few different add-ons I most often depend on. It was once a type of issues that jogged my memory that that is nonetheless Android beneath.

However past that, DeX treated nearly the whole thing I’d most often do on my computer. For writing, browser-based paintings, and different on a regular basis duties, I didn’t truly leave out my PC that a lot. In reality, it was once slightly delightful to make use of my S26’s entrance digital camera for paintings calls as an alternative of a 1080p webcam.

Additionally, since Samsung DeX is largely an extension of my telephone, I will be able to nonetheless make and obtain calls, respond to textual content messages, test notifications, and use all my apps on a bigger display screen. And truthfully, that seamless continuity was once the most efficient a part of the entire revel in.

After I first attempted DeX, I did it with none equipment to look how usable it was once. Truthfully, I anticipated it to really feel awkward, however Samsung merits some credit score for making the phone-as-a-touchpad function a ways higher than it sounds on paper.

DeX helps lots of the identical gestures I’m already used to on my Home windows computer, together with two-finger faucet for right-clicking, pinch-to-zoom, three-finger swipe down to reduce apps, and three-finger swipe left or correct to change between apps. Unfortunately, the use of the telephone as a touchpad wasn’t sensible for me, since I deliberate to make use of DeX for lengthy hours. However sure, for fast periods whilst you don’t wish to attach a keyboard and mouse, it really works nice.

Talking of keyboards, DeX additionally helps many acquainted Home windows keyboard shortcuts. Alt + Tab switches between apps, Alt + F4 closes the present app, Win + N opens the notification panel, and Win + L locks DeX. Between the recognizable One UI design, desktop-style multitasking, touchpad gestures, and right kind keyboard shortcut strengthen, the educational curve was once nearly nonexistent.

What truly offered me at the revel in, although, was once the versatility. I may run DeX stressed out or wirelessly, attach it to a video display or TV, and use it without or with devoted peripherals, relying on the place I’m operating and what I wish to do.

The most important factor, I’d say, was once occasional slowdowns whilst multitasking. On my PC, I’m used to leaving dozens of browser tabs and apps open with out truly eager about it. However with Samsung DeX, I needed to be slightly extra conscious. After I began piling on too many tabs and switching between apps, I may understand occasional stutters and slowdowns.

Some other factor that troubled me was once the app revel in. Inside of DeX, you’re necessarily the use of scaled-up variations of Android apps which are designed for contact enter reasonably than a keyboard and mouse. And that suggests apps don’t at all times behave the way in which you’d be expecting on a standard PC. For example, when the use of Slack on my PC, I’m used to seeing my channels and DMs at the left facet whilst conversations seem at the correct. In DeX, although, Slack is only a stretched-out telephone app. In the meantime, apps like WhatsApp glance nearly just like their desktop opposite numbers. That inconsistency is sufficient to remind you that you just’re no longer the use of a real desktop.

In the end, there’s the portability facet. Probably the most issues I used to be maximum thinking about earlier than changing my computer with Samsung DeX was once the speculation of touring lighter. In concept, wearing only a telephone as an alternative of a computer sounded wonderful. However realistically, if you happen to in truth wish to paintings conveniently at the pass, you continue to desire a bunch of equipment like a keyboard, mouse, USB-C hub, and perhaps even a stand. In fact, none of it is a drawback when operating from house or an place of business, however whilst touring, you’re merely changing a computer with a bag of equipment.

After spending a complete week operating from Samsung DeX, I walked away with two very other ideas in my head on the identical time. The primary is that, no, DeX nonetheless isn’t a real computer substitute for everybody. However the second one — and possibly extra unexpected — realization is simply how shut it in truth will get.

In fact, the restrictions are there. However Samsung DeX is not any gimmick both. In reality, for me, and almost certainly a large number of other people whose paintings doesn’t contain Adobe apps, programming, large spreadsheets, or multi-monitor setups, Samsung DeX is greater than excellent sufficient. And truthfully, that also feels more or less wild to mention.