Samsung DeX review: this thing turns your smartphone into a full-fledged computer. But how? The best docking stations for Samsung smartphones

Samsung Docking Station DeX lets you turn your Galaxy S8 or S8+ into an almost full-fledged PC. All that remains is to add a keyboard and mouse with Bluetooth or USB interfaces. This device is definitely worthy of a separate review.

Externally, DeX looks like a small black cylinder. It weighs only 230 g and easily fits, for example, in a backpack and can be taken on a trip. There is a built-in fan to cool the Galaxy S8.

Separately, Samsung DeX will cost about $150, but the manufacturer and its partners have not yet announced the official cost of the device. Sales of the accessory in Russia are expected from April 21; pre-ordering is not yet possible.

Myself Samsung Galaxy S8 connects via USB Type-C, can be charged during operation (the docking station is powered from the standard charger included with the smartphone). Adaptive supported fast charging Adaptive Fast Charging (AFC).

Samsung DeX interfaces

• USB Type-C In - for connecting a smartphone
• USB Type-C Out - for connecting power
• 2 x USB 2.0 - for mouse, keyboard and other supported devices, such as flash drives
• HDMI Out - for connecting a monitor and TV
• Ethernet 1 Gbit - for connecting to a wired network

System interface

The Samsung Galaxy S8 firmware includes a deeply customized shell, which is activated only when connected to DeX and simulates a desktop quite well - there is a windowed interface.

Some “essential” applications are also adapted to run in PC mode:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• OneNote
• Microsoft OneDrive
• Skype
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
• Adobe Photoshop Express
• Adobe Photoshop Mix
• Behance
• Hancom Office
• Amazon WorkSpaces
• Citrix Receiver
• VMware Horizon Client
• YouTube
• Gmail
• Google Drive
• Chrome Browser - Google
• Google
• Google Play Movies & TV
• Google Play Music
• Google Photos
• Play Store
• AutoCAD Mobile
• Naver
• KakaoTalk
• Lineage 2 Revolution
• The Tribez

Some of them are paid. Holders special version Galaxy S8 Microsoft Edition also features a customized version of Outlook. Other applications launch from Samsung DeX as standard programs for Android.

In general, the Galaxy S8 is not the first smartphone from the Korean company that has the ability to “turn” into a PC using a docking station. This was also present in Galaxy Note 2 and later laptops, but the shell differed little from the standard TouchWiz.

The path of evolution is interesting Android interface if launched in PC mode. If Microsoft makes a desktop Windows version increasingly mobile-like, Samsung went in the opposite direction and introduced support for windowed mode as the main one when working with DeX.

The system interface in PC mode on the Galaxy S8 resembles a “lung” graphical shells for Linux like XFCE: icons on the desktop, a compact notification bar at the bottom right and a Start menu on the left.

1. Full multitasking with the ability to open a potentially unlimited number of windows (it all depends on system performance).
2. "Hot keys" for greater ease of control.
3. Dragging the majority Drag elements&Drop.
4. Context menu when clicking the right mouse button.

Official video presentation of Samsung DeX

Two years ago, Microsoft made its first attempt to do what has been talked about for the last few years, namely, turn a smartphone into an analogue of a computer. To do this, it was necessary to connect the Lumia 950 or 950 XL smartphones to a special docking station, monitor, keyboard and mouse. After this the user received mobile version Windows 10, but scaled for the big screen. This concept as a whole had the right to life, but it had a number of critical shortcomings. Firstly, the performance of such a system was not very high, secondly, the smartphone got quite hot, and thirdly, the number of applications was limited. As a result, the Windows Continuum project was closed along with the Lumia smartphones. However, the idea itself continues to live, and this time Samsung tried to implement it in its flagship Android smartphones: Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note8. For this purpose, the DeX docking station was released, which allows you to connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to your smartphone. What came out of this and how to work with Android on a monitor screen - read in our review.

Design, connectors and connection

The DeX docking station is made in a round black plastic case, and in general resembles a regular smartphone stand.

The top cover of the device folds out, thus forming a stand and opening USB port Type-C, through which the Galaxy S8/S8+ and Note8 are connected.

Other connectors in DeX are located on the back of the case. Here you can find two USB 2.0 ports, Ethernet 100 Mbps, HDMI 2.0 and USB Type-C for power connection.

Unfortunately, there is no 3.5 headphone jack on the docking station, and access to it on the smartphone is blocked. However, there are also no external speakers, so the only way to listen to music or watch videos when working with DeX is through wireless headphones. You can’t count on the built-in speaker of the smartphone, because it is located next to the USB Type-C port and is recessed into the body of the docking station.

Connecting a smartphone to DeX is as simple as possible; just connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to the docking station, then insert the device into the USB Type-C port and start working. The DeX interface from the smartphone is displayed on the monitor literally a minute after connection.

Smartphone as a computer of the future?

As already mentioned above, with using Samsung DeX with one of the company's latest flagships, Galaxy S8, S8+ or Note8, can be used as if it were a desktop computer. Samsung has developed an add-on for Android that transforms the system interface and makes it similar to what users are used to seeing in Windows or macOS.

There is a desktop, a taskbar and a menu with programs. Moreover, since we are talking about an add-on to Android, and not about a separate system, the user can work with almost all applications that were installed on his smartphone, as well as access all his files.

What can you do with a smartphone as a computer? As it turned out, almost everything. But it’s worth noting right away that not all programs support Samsung DeX. This results in the fact that either the size of their window cannot be changed, or they do not launch at all. The latter applies mainly to games. But Google apps have virtually no problems with scaling. During my time with DeX, I used it without any problems Chrome browser, by Gmail, worked with documents in Google Docs, edited pictures in Snapseed and watched YouTube. It is also quite convenient to watch videos through VLC and listen to music through Deezer. There is a built-in file manager for working with files.

However, not all applications support working in this mode. Some do not scale in any way, and the only thing that can be done is to expand their window from a vertical position to a horizontal one so that more information fits in width. In addition, no matter how functional programs for Android are today, they are still inferior to desktop ones.

If during incoming call If the smartphone is connected to the docking station, you can accept it directly in the interface, but for this you will need wireless headphones. You can make a call in the same way without disconnecting the device from DeX.

The keyboard and mouse work with the docking station without any problems, the only thing is that switching languages ​​is not implemented in the usual way - through the combination of Shift and spacebar. But even with a keyboard connected, Apple managed to add the standard macOS layout.

As for the hardware platform, Samsung flagships provide a decent level of performance. The animation in the DeX interface is not the smoothest, but it does not cause irritation and allows you to work comfortably. If you use DeX with the Galaxy S8 or S8+, it feels like 4 GB RAM- this is the minimum for such a system. The Note8, which has 6 GB of RAM, is a little more comfortable.

Using a smartphone as a “system unit” could not but result in high loads, and accordingly to the heating of the housing. But Samsung, unlike Microsoft, has solved this problem. DeX has a built-in fan that cools the smartphone during operation. And although it is not big, it copes with its task and works silently. After several hours of working with the docking station, the device remains completely cold, for which we also need to give credit to the 10-nanometer Exynos processor.

As a concept, Samsung DeX looks very interesting, and in general, such a system is suitable for simple tasks. But if the hardware platform of a smartphone is almost ready to turn into a PC, then the software needs to be improved. It should be designed from the ground up for such systems, and not just scaled up. But what Samsung managed to implement in DeX is truly impressive, because now the Galaxy S8 or Note8 can be turned into something like a desktop computer. But while the cost of Samsung's flagship with a docking station is comparable to a mid-range gaming PC, and the functionality of applications remains basic, such a system cannot claim to be complete replacement computer.

Site evaluation

Pros: easy installation, quick start, efficient cooling system, intuitive interface, almost all applications installed on the smartphone work

Cons: no 3.5mm headphone jack, no external speakers, not all apps are optimized to run on big screen, the cost of the entire system is still comparable to a desktop PC

Conclusion: Samsung DeX cannot yet be called a full-fledged replacement for a computer; for this, the software needs to be significantly improved. But it should be noted that Samsung has advanced the furthest in turning a smartphone into a desktop PC. In addition, the productivity of modern flagship smartphones already enough to satisfy the needs of the average home user. Accordingly, the concept of “smartphone as a desktop computer” has a future, but it will not come until they take the development of software for such a system more seriously. Thus, as a concept, DeX looks very interesting and what Samsung managed to implement is truly impressive, because already now the Galaxy S8 or Note8 can be turned into something like a desktop computer. But for now, the price of Samsung's flagship with a docking station is comparable to a mid-range gaming PC, and the functionality of the applications remains basic.

I tested it and tell you. ( spoiler: it's the bomb!)

Just imagine that you wake up in the morning, wash your face, have breakfast, and when getting ready for work, take your keys and smartphone.

Oh yes, you still need to drag laptop– there is work, documents, your whole office life.

And here Samsung comes onto the scene and has done a very cool thing. Thanks to it, very soon you will not need to carry a laptop with you every day, to or from work.

In this review I will tell you how a smartphone turns into full-fledged computer.

This is Samsung. And he makes magic

The small round accessory is called Samsung Dex. This is a special docking station to which you need to connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

And insert your Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 plus.

Thus, the monitor screen displays an almost full-fledged desktop of a desktop computer, with the usual shortcuts like “Explorer”, with a button “a la Start” and other interface elements dear to the heart of any office worker.

All applications installed on the smartphone are displayed in the list of programs, they can be launched and used. True, many do not stretch across the entire monitor screen and work in “windowed” mode.

So, play World of Tanks Blitz It won't work with a keyboard and mouse.

However, all office suite Microsoft, including Word, Exel, PowerPoint, as well as Photoshop Lightroom for Android smartphones, have already been adapted to work in “desktop” mode.

Thanks to the built-in file manager, you can create folders, store documents, and create presentations and spreadsheets. Edit photos and chat in all mobile messengers.

Emazing in Korean? - Yes!

The ease with which your smartphone turns into a full-fledged PC is mesmerizing. Seems. this is the future! However, the idea of ​​some kind of adapter that turns a smartphone into a full-fledged workstation, is far from new.

Both Microsoft and Motorola made their own versions of this accessory, but they did not gain popularity. There were several reasons for this:

1. Lack of applications that are convenient to use in desktop mode

2. Shortage of the accessory itself - almost no one has seen them on sale

And the very idea of ​​​​replacing the usual desktop computer some small box was blasphemous.

But today Samsung has every chance of becoming the first company that has truly taken a step towards the post-computer era, and is introducing to the masses the idea that a smartphone and there is computer.

And here's why:

1. Dex is easy to buy

2. The accessory costs about 10,000 rubles

3. It is convenient to use

4. There are already about 20 adapted applications

5. The accessory looks stylish

It is clear that 20 applications is not enough, but the very fact that in the company’s application store Samsung Apps There is already a special section with applications for Dex, which allows us to hope that the number of programs and games will increase.

A small accessory with big capabilities

Despite its small size, the Dex is equipped with 2 USB ports, one HDMI, one Ethernet port and one USB-C, which is intended exclusively for powering the Dex and the smartphone in it.

You can connect peripherals to the USB ports - mice, keyboards, printers. Everything works right away, no need to search or install any drivers.

Can you use wireless mice and keyboards – connect them to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and use unused USB ports on Dex for flash drives, card readers and more.

The Screen mirroring mode is interesting, when the usual smartphone desktop is displayed on the monitor screen. You can switch between this and “desktop” modes on the fly.

If desired, you can even connect wired internet or connect several Dex's into local network. But by default, by enabling Dex with installed by Samsung Galaxy S8, you can easily access the network using mobile internet. After all, you have a SIM card in your smartphone, right?

An interesting feature: if you download a “heavy” file or archive, Dex automatically launches a kind of “download acceleration”, and the download speed through mobile network can reach up to 150 Mbit/s.

How to call? - Easily!

Yes, during an incoming output, a pop-up notification appears on the monitor screen. You can answer the call or reject it.

If you start a conversation, it will turn on by default speakerphone on a smartphone, but if you are sitting in wireless headphones– the conversation will be more private.

You can also use Skype, and even make video calls using front camera smartphone. Even after 10 minutes of video communication, the Samsung Galaxy S8 practically did not heat up. This is considering that in addition to running Skype, a browser with 10 tabs and Word was open.

After a full day of testing, I did not notice any slowdowns or freezes. The system works quickly, the smartphone and Dex do not heat up, and the overall operating experience is most pleasant.

Everything is cool, but... I have questions

If you put emotions aside and evaluate Dex with a sober and practical look, 2 questions appear.

Question No. 1. Who is this accessory for?

To use Dex, you need a Samsung S8 or S8 plus smartphone. Also, you need a keyboard, mouse, and of course a monitor. It’s hard for me to believe that someone has all this at home, but no system unit.

Rather, this accessory is aimed at corporate use, but small companies are unlikely to buy their employees a brand new flagship and throw away their desktop PCs.

And large corporations will not switch to Dex because of their security policies - this is additional money, time and headache.

Question No. 2. Application database

As the experience of previous manufacturers of similar accessories shows, a gadget without software is losing popularity very quickly. Yes, the office suite is good, but I would like to see more applications specialized, for designers, programmers, some terminal applications, maybe games.

If Samsung encourages and promotes the development of programs and games for Dex in every possible way, that will be cool. Target Audience will increase and the accessory will become popular.

Wait and see.

My impressions: cool, but not for everyone

Of course, Dex will not be able to replace everything overnight desktop computers. Designers, developers and programmers cannot do without a powerful PC and a widescreen monitor.

But for everyone who works in an office - compiling reports, doing spreadsheets and other office work - Dex in conjunction with the Samsung Galaxy S8 can easily replace a bulky PC.

I am sure that the heads of many companies have already received beautiful advertising brochures praising this accessory. Perhaps in a few years have system units it will be unfashionable in the office, and employees will have Dex’s on their desks.

Or maybe not.

In general, Dex in conjunction with the Galaxy S8 is convenient: your smartphone is always with you and you can communicate, send and receive mail and edit texts anywhere. And when you come to work, you simply insert your smartphone into Dex and continue working, only this time on large monitor and in a convenient interface.

In any case, Samsung are great for promoting their ecosystem, unlike the one stuck in 2014 Apple year. Mega-stylish, frameless Galaxy S8, wireless charging and now Dex.

Pros: turns Galaxy smartphones S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus to desktop computers. Supports multiple windows, Ethernet connector.
Cons: It’s unclear why you should buy this device, keyboard and mouse instead inexpensive computer or laptop.
Conclusion: Turns your smartphone into a computer.

The dream of combining smartphones and computers has visited many manufacturers, and all of them have failed to achieve success. Will it work out for you? DeX (Desktop Experience) is new mode works that use a docking station to connect a smartphone to a keyboard, mouse and monitor, resulting in the user getting a full-fledged Android desktop computer. Some reviewers have already tried this design and the reviews so far are mostly positive. However, the question arises: why spend 55-60 thousand rubles. for these smartphones plus a docking station, when you can buy a much cheaper desktop computer or laptop.

Docking station

The docking station is similar to a cup holder that you can put your smartphone inside. The device is connected to the USB connector on the docking station, after which you can connect peripheral device. Bluetooth available, two USB connector A 2.0, HDMI 1080p and Ethernet. There is also a power connector so that the smartphone can be recharged during operation.

When working with the docking station, you cannot connect headphones, since it blocks this connector on the device. Calls can be made via bluetooth headphones or using a speakerphone.

Establishing a connection

Many application windows can be resized, just like on a computer. Majority Samsung applications, Google, and Adobe work in desktop mode. If the program does not support this mode, it appears in the window in portrait mode, the size of which cannot be changed. When writing this review Five windows were open simultaneously, including a browser with three tabs. Windows can be moved without noticeable delay, although the movement is slightly jerky. There are no problems when typing in Microsoft applications Office.

Samsung says it is working with virtualization companies such as VMWare and Citrix to make virtual desktops available with a full Windows 10 operating system. Similar efforts have been made before, including on HP Elite X3 smartphones, and usually the result is not the same. the best because of input delays.

Conclusion

A laptop-style DeX shell would make more sense, but Samsung doesn't make one. The company is considering the option of releasing a key fob that connects directly to the monitor.

In enterprises with access blocking, where VPN cannot be installed on home computer workers, DeX can operate as secure corporate client. However, this is a very limited market. It's hard to imagine in what use cases DeX could outperform a Windows PC or Chromebook running Android apps.

What is DeX from Samsung, I think everyone has already heard? The idea of ​​creating a full-fledged workstation using the resources of a smartphone is not new; moreover, many large manufacturers have their own views on what that “post-PC” era should be like.

DeX is similar to Microsoft's Display Dock, which was released with Windows 10 Mobile. The new docking station is designed for Samsung flagships Galaxy S8 and S8+. For the magical transformation you will need DeX itself, which is sold separately. external monitor, mouse and keyboard.

This is where the questions begin. Let's imagine a situation in which a user might need DeX.

Situation No. 1: you buy a Samsung Galaxy S8 and a Dex console, and then you realize that it needs some kind of monitor and preferably a good set of wireless mouse and keyboard. Doesn't it seem strange? Many will answer that everyone already has a mouse, keyboard and monitor at home. This leads to situation No. 2: if you have a mouse, keyboard and monitor, then naturally all this is connected to some kind of computer. What can make you turn off all your personal belongings? powerful computer and connect to the DeX set-top box, the capabilities of which cannot be compared with a full-fledged computer?

I don't have an answer to this question. Of course, we can assume that a person purely by chance has a monitor and all the accessories lying around, but does not have a computer, but such a scenario is difficult to believe.

Design

Samsung DeX is a round black accessory that resembles a puck. To connect your smartphone, you just need to place it inside. The opening back acts as a cooler, and inside the station itself there is a USB Type-C connector for power and data transfer. It will be difficult to insert the smartphone by touch; you will have to hold the dock itself and aim.

DeX is equipped with the following connectors:

• 2 x USB 2.0
• 1 x HDMI
• 1 x Ethernet
• 1 x USB Type-C

From the point of view of connectors, this is a full-fledged computer. You can connect a monitor, keyboard, mouse, wired Internet and enjoy life.

Everything works on a plug-n-play basis; no drivers or installations are needed.

What did I connect?

In my case they connected easily apple keyboard, Logitech mouse MX Master, Samsung monitor. I tried connecting an LG Ultra Wide monitor, but Dex can't work with it yet widescreen monitors, does not stretch the interface correctly.

Operating principle

After connecting the Galaxy S, a desktop similar to Windows will open on the monitor, but it is simply an adapted version of the operating system from Samsung. And it’s from Samsung, since it doesn’t look like the usual Android. Despite access to everyone Google services, most programs are not adapted to work with Dex. Those applications that are launched operate at your own peril and risk. For example, Instagram opens and displays the feed normally, and the Facebook client starts, but there is a problem with the layout and it is impossible to use it. We'll have to wait for updates and adaptation. And if with basic programs If everything is solved and adapted, then the rest of the applications most likely will not.

A menu similar to “Start” in Windows is available here, while the number open windows and their size is absolutely unlimited. All notifications and smartphone status will be available in the lower right corner. And applications will work smoothly with a keyboard and mouse.

What happens if they call the phone?

All incoming notifications are available in the tray and you can immediately respond without having to remove your smartphone from the docking station. By the way, the sound escaping from Samsung speaker Galaxy S8, in combination with Dex, turns out to be very loud, the design of the stand itself imitates the effect of a sink, and the result is almost a universal portable speaker.

Even though the Samsung Galaxy S8 works with the screen off in a special sleep mode, you can use the smartphone's selfie camera while DeX is running. You've definitely never had such a sophisticated webcam before.

What about the speed of work?

I tested a non-commercial sample of the smartphone and DeX itself. During operation, this connection was clearly not working at full strength. It was as if there was a factory limitation. The phone didn't even warm up after 6 hours of use. This may be a precaution against battery overheating.

There is enough power to solve everyday tasks, such as working with mail, watching videos on YouTube or chatting in instant messengers. If you run more heavy applications, for example graphic editor Adobe Photoshop Mobile and at the same moment open Chrome and several browser tabs, the system interface will begin to “sag” a little. Again, it looks like they simply set a performance limit in the test samples, preventing the hardware from spinning itself to the maximum and overheating.

Working with the mouse does not look the same as in full-fledged operating systems Oh. The pointing accuracy is not the same as in Windows, so that your cool gaming mouse turns into a regular “comfortable” mouse.

What about the games?

IN mobile games until you play, they don't start in full screen mode. And it’s not very fun to play games designed for touch using a mouse and keyboard. Unless you can play racing games using the keyboard arrows, this scenario works.

How is it in general?

The experience of working with DeX was useful; I got the feeling that the logic of a mobile operating system on a large screen was already clearer to me than the logic of standard desktop systems.

For example, when I need to find a photo, I don't think twice about opening the Gallery app. If you need music - Google Play Music. That is, working with directories and explorers has faded into the background, and this, in my opinion, is the future of operating systems. You have at your fingertips a set of popular applications that solve certain problems.

Can DeX completely replace a computer? Of course not. And it shouldn't. Samsung feels the path while simultaneously marking the territory. If there is a prospect on the horizon in this direction, Samsung will already have developments.

Now DeX is an interesting accessory for people who are headlong into the Samsung ecosystem. There are many such people among businessmen. Home dear Samsung TV, at my wife's washing machine Samsung Add Wash, a Gear S3 in your hands, the latest Galaxy in your pocket, a sizzling red-haired secretary at work who sorts everything out routine tasks for you. And Dex stands, just in case, in your office on a huge oak table. Why is it worth it? Well, sometimes you go into your office, put the Galaxy S8 in the Dex console, see incoming letters on the big screen and, like a “white” person, ask the red-haired secretary to sort out this routine, and you open the gallery of your smartphone and look at the photos on the big screen, which you did last week somewhere in the Virgin Islands.