Google\u2019s first attempt looks promising and sets a solid foundation, but is it enough to take the crown?<\/p>\n
For now, DeX\u2019s mature features, seamless hardware integration, and quality-of-life touches keep it firmly in the lead.<\/p>\n
![\"Screen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/android-desktop-mode-hands-on.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Related<\/p>\n
\t\t Android’s Desktop Mode surprised me<\/p>\n DeX offers broader device support and easier setup<\/p>\n Android Desktop Mode is more restrictive about what hardware it supports.<\/p>\n The Pixel setup requires DisplayPort Alternate Mode<\/a> and only works on Pixel 8 series devices or newer, as older models can\u2019t output video.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Samsung DeX is as close to plug-and-play as it gets. It works the same whether you set up Dex<\/a> with an HDMI cable, use a dock, or go wireless with Miracast.<\/p>\n Samsung didn\u2019t keep Samsung DeX exclusive. It runs across everything from the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip 7.<\/p>\n It is also baked into every Galaxy S flagship from the 2017 Galaxy S8 up to the S26 series, covering all Base, Plus, Ultra, and FE variants.<\/p>\n Android Desktop Mode lacks the freedom of a real desktop<\/p>\n In terms of user experience, Google\u2019s approach is still very much bound to the phone.<\/p>\n Android Desktop Mode<\/a> is essentially Android adapted for a larger display, whereas DeX adds a full desktop layer on top of the mobile experience.<\/p>\n Take this, for example: Android Desktop Mode doesn\u2019t let you drop app icons, folders, or widgets onto the desktop.<\/p>\n Everything runs through the bottom taskbar and the app drawer, while the desktop itself is an empty wallpaper, which feels a bit strange.<\/p>\n DeX, on the other hand, is closer to what you\u2019d expect from a traditional PC. You can drag files around, drop app shortcuts, and place widgets directly on the desktop.<\/p>\n DeX handles input, sound, and display better than Google\u2019s solution<\/p>\n DeX is full of thoughtful extras that are missing from Desktop Mode right now. For example, your phone\u2019s screen can turn into a touchpad.<\/p>\n This means you can navigate the entire desktop environment without using external accessories, while Pixel users still have to rely on pairing a mouse.<\/p>\n Another thoughtful addition is that Samsung DeX keeps your monitor active even when your phone screen goes to sleep.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Google\u2019s Desktop Mode is awkwardly tied to the phone\u2019s display. You can\u2019t turn off your phone\u2019s display and still use the feature.<\/p>\n Audio handling isn\u2019t much better. Connecting to a display automatically sends audio output to the monitor, and if your monitor lacks built-in speakers, your experience is muted.<\/p>\n Each time you plug in, you need to go into the volume settings and switch the output back to the phone.<\/p>\n These small fixes are exactly where DeX shows its maturity, something Android Desktop Mode is still catching up on.<\/p>\n DeX and Pixel both struggle with unoptimized Android apps<\/p>\n Google secures a big win when it comes to web browsing.<\/p>\n Chrome on Pixel runs natively in Desktop Mode, so you can avoid stripped-down mobile sites and enjoy full web apps on a larger monitor.<\/p>\n However, things feel very different when you switch to native Android apps. Open apps like Slack or WhatsApp, and you\u2019re often stuck with a stretched tablet-style UI.<\/p>\n That\u2019s mostly because many developers haven\u2019t optimized for desktop environments yet, so things should improve in future updates.<\/p>\n DeX is also not immune to developers neglecting large-screen optimization. Native Android applications will still render as stretched tablet views within the Samsung environment.<\/p>\n That said, there are workarounds. If you need serious power, both Android Desktop Mode and Samsung DeX can connect to a remote computer in the cloud.<\/p>\n With apps like Windows 365, Citrix Workspace, or Microsoft Remote Desktop, you can bypass mobile limits and pull up a full Windows PC on your monitor.<\/p>\n At that point, your phone is a shell for a full desktop OS. This is currently the most practical way to replace a laptop.<\/p>\n DeX leads today while Google prepares for the future<\/p>\n Android 16\u2019s Desktop Mode does exactly what Google needed, which is building the underlying engine.<\/p>\n Google established a unified baseline for Android by baking in free-form windows, display independence, and peripheral integration at the OS level.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tI tried Android’s Desktop Mode, and I might never use my laptop again
\n\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Wacom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/wacom-hero-dex.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/z-fold-7-dex-monitor.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/z-flip-7-dex-trackapd.JPG\")
<\/p>\n![\"Android](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/android-mascot-holding-a-warning-sign-next-to-a-phone-connected-to-a-monitor-in-desktop-mode.png\")
\n Credit:\u00a0Lucas Gouveia \/ Android Police<\/p>\n