Using a USB-C-to-HDMI cable, Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, the setup links a phone to a monitor and became practical two months after Android's stable March 2026 release.
The author says it starts in seconds, faster than booting a computer, and improves multitasking across apps such as WhatsApp and Google Docs while reducing distraction from phone-only use.
They say it works best as a home companion rather than a laptop replacement, given portability limits, app shortcomings and performance hiccups, as Android-based Aluminium OS is expected to address some gaps.
With Google's Aluminium OS on the horizon, is Samsung's DeX advantage facing its biggest threat?
Is Android's new Desktop Mode a true laptop replacement, or a flawed gimmick for real work?
Can Google's plan to merge phone and desktop finally challenge the dominance of Windows and macOS?