Samsung Ditches Classic DeX for Android Desktop Mode, and It’s a Downgrade

With the One UI 8 update, Samsung has removed its classic DeX mode and introduced a new version, dropping several quality-of-life features. While the new DeX is based on Google’s Desktop Mode in Android 16, this change may be disappointing for long-time DeX users. However, there’s a good reason behind it — in the future, this powerful tool is expected to become even better.

Samsung revamps its DeX mode in One UI 8

Introduced with the Galaxy S8 series in 2017, DeX allowed users to connect their Galaxy device to an external display, giving a desktop-like experience. Since the Android platform lacked this functionality, Samsung had to modify core Android components to offer its own desktop windowing system. The Korean firm continued improving it with each iteration of Android releases.

Now that Android 16 includes a native Desktop Mode, Samsung no longer needs to maintain its own separate DeX system. In fact, this is the result of a close partnership between Google and Samsung to improve desktop windowing on Android. However, the new DeX might feel like a downgrade right now as it lacks many popular features.

Drops several quality-of-life features

Android Authority recently pointed out several missing features that long-time DeX users might miss. For instance, the new DeX does not have the option to auto-start when connecting to an HDMI display. The company also removed several taskbar settings, such as navigation buttons, auto-hide, keyboard language, volume control, and the screenshot button.

Furthermore, you won’t be able to set the on-screen keyboard location either on the connected display or the phone by default. The ability to set the default audio output to your connected display is also missing. Another missing feature is the pin app — the old DeX allowed users to pin an app to keep it on top of other apps you open. There are now no Lock DeX and Exit DeX buttons in the app drawer.

The good news is that the future DeX mode will also be based on Android’s native Desktop Mode. That means it will continue to improve as Google adds new features and enhancements to Android’s desktop experience. On top of that, Samsung and Google may work together to bring back some of the classic DeX’s quality-of-life features in future versions.