{"id":278663,"date":"2026-02-03T15:08:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/278663\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T15:08:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T15:08:11","slug":"the-real-galaxy-s26-ultra-upgrade-i-want-is-long-overdue-and-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-ai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/278663\/","title":{"rendered":"The real Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrade I want is long overdue \u2014 and it has nothing to do with AI"},"content":{"rendered":"

After spending nearly a year with the Galaxy S25 Ultra<\/a>, Samsung faces a significant challenge in convincing me (and everyone else) that the Galaxy S26 Ultra<\/a> is the phone to beat in 2026. I\u2019ve put the S25 Ultra to the test against other best phone<\/a> contenders on the market, but there\u2019s one specific feature Samsung desperately needs to update for its next flagship. And it has nothing to do with Galaxy AI.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s frustrating is that it should be an easy update, yet it’s one the company has neglected for several generations. I\u2019m referring to Samsung DeX<\/a>, the desktop-like experience that activates whenever a Galaxy flagship is connected to an external display.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Having tested the Galaxy S23 Ultra<\/a>, S24 Ultra<\/a>, and S25 Ultra, I’ve found the DeX experience<\/a> has remained essentially stagnant. This year is more crucial than ever, especially as more competitors begin to introduce their own desktop interfaces.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

More attractive than the Galaxy Z TriFold<\/p>\n

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\"Samsung\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t deny that a part of me is drawn to the Galaxy Z TriFold<\/a>, despite its hefty $2,900 price tag. That\u2019s because Samsung\u2019s phone-meets-tablet foldable offers a dedicated version of Samsung DeX \u2014 the same experience my colleague Tony Polanco<\/a> tested with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve left my laptop at home and relied solely on Samsung DeX to get me through the workday.<\/p>\n

This version differs significantly from the current implementation on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, as it adds support for multiple virtual desktops, more intuitive window management, and improved screen extension. It makes juggling multiple apps much easier because this revamped Samsung DeX can run up to five apps in a single workspace, with even better multitasking capabilities when utilizing additional virtual desktops.<\/p>\n

Given that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely be priced much lower, equipping it with this updated Samsung DeX experience would significantly boost its value. I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve left my laptop at home and relied solely on Samsung DeX to get me through the workday.<\/p>\n

Smart glasses: the perfect Galaxy S26 Ultra complement<\/p>\n

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\"Using\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n

To access DeX on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I have to connect to a monitor \u2014 either wired or wireless. However, when I\u2019m out of the office, I can’t exactly lug a desktop monitor into a coffee shop. That\u2019s where the best smart glasses come in handy; they are far more practical than carrying around a portable monitor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n

For example, I\u2019ve paired my Viture Pro XR<\/a> and Xreal Air 2 Pro<\/a> smart glasses with the Galaxy Z Fold 6<\/a> and Galaxy S25 Ultra. This setup effectively places a massive virtual monitor in front of me, no matter where I am. While these glasses still require a physical connection to the S25 Ultra\u2019s USB-C port, I\u2019m hopeful that advancements this year will finally allow for a completely wireless solution.<\/p>\n

Since Samsung DeX already supports Miracast<\/a> for wireless connectivity, I\u2019m optimistic that more smart glasses in the future will adopt this standard. I already love watching movies and shows on my glasses, but the ability to use Samsung DeX wirelessly anywhere with the Galaxy S26 Ultra would be a true game-changer.<\/p>\n

Competition is driving the need for change<\/p>\n

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\"Pixel\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide \/ John Velasco)<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the reason the Galaxy S26 Ultra needs this upgrade is the mounting competition. Google<\/a> has been collaborating with Samsung on its Android 16 desktop mode<\/a>, which is already accessible on the Pixel 10<\/a>, Pixel 10 Pro<\/a>, and Pixel 10 Pro XL<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s not quite a finished product based on my testing, it proves that more manufacturers are finally embracing desktop-like experiences. Google isn’t the only one challenging Samsung, as Motorola\u2019s Smart Connect<\/a> feature on the Razr Ultra (2025)<\/a> is another robust solution that functions in a very similar way.<\/p>\n

Samsung cannot afford to wait another year. The Galaxy S26 Ultra would receive a tremendous boost from a revamped DeX experience. I\u2019m particularly excited by the rumors of a privacy screen feature<\/a> that blocks out the phone\u2019s display \u2014 a perfect pairing for DeX. I could be reading sensitive information on the S26 Ultra\u2019s screen, while simultaneously typing in a virtual window on an external display.<\/p>\n

More than anything, I want this upgrade because it could finally allow me to lighten my daily carry for work.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

\"Google\n<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News<\/a> and add us as a preferred source<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. <\/p>\n

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