I replaced my computer with the Galaxy S26 and DeX, and it was great

I have always liked the idea of Samsung DeX more than the idea of ​​actually using it. Turning a phone on a desktop it sounds incredibly cool, but to me, it always felt like one of those features designed to impress people during demos rather than something you could actually count on every day.

So naturally, I decided to do the dumb thing and use Samsung DeX as my only computer for a week. I left my laptop and worked alone with my Galaxy S26a monitor and a handful of accessories. I expected frustration and maybe a little regret too. Instead, I ended up having a lot more fun than I expected.

After spending a week with Samsung DeX, I can tell you that the experience is not that different from using a regular PC. There’s a taskbar for switching between apps and managing quick settings, a start menu for opening apps, and a desktop that can be customized with widgets. DeX also supports window snapping, so you can snap apps to the left or right side of the screen, something I do all the time on my Windows laptop while multitasking.

However, what I liked most about DeX is that I don’t have to deal with the usual headaches that come with switching between devices. Since it’s essentially the same phone that powers everything, all my apps, files, photos, accounts, and even browser tabs are already there when I switch to work mode.

As a writer, most of my work is done within a browser, so I rarely feel limited with Samsung DeX. Writing, researching, editing documents, managing tabs, and even jumping between Slack and email worked quite well. Sometimes I almost forgot that I was using my phone instead of a traditional PC. The only thing I always missed were my browser extensions. My favorite browser Brave – doesn’t support extensions on Android, so I ended up missing out on Grammarly, Bitwarden, and a couple other plugins that I normally rely on. It was one of those things that reminded me that deep down there is still Android.

But beyond that, DeX handled almost everything I would normally do on my laptop. For typing, browser work, and other everyday tasks, I didn’t really miss my PC much. It was actually quite nice to use my S26’s front camera for work calls instead of a 1080p webcam.

Plus, since Samsung DeX is essentially an extension of my phone, I can still make and receive calls, respond to texts, check notifications, and use all my apps on a larger screen. And honestly, that seamless continuity was the best part of the whole experience.

When I first tried DeX, I did it without any accessories to see how usable it was. Honestly, I expected it to feel awkward, but Samsung deserves some credit for making the phone’s touchpad feature much better than it looks on paper.

DeX supports many of the same gestures I’m already used to on my Windows laptop, including two-finger tap to right-click, pinch to zoom, three-finger swipe down to minimize apps, and three-finger swipe left or right to switch between apps. Unfortunately, using the phone as a touchpad was not practical for me as I planned to use DeX for many hours. But yes, for quick sessions in which you don’t want to connect a keyboard and mouse, it works great.

Speaking of keyboards, DeX also supports many familiar Windows keyboard shortcuts. Alt + Tab switches between apps, Alt + F4 closes the current app, Win + N opens the notification panel, and Win + L locks DeX. Between the recognizable One UI layout, desktop-style multitasking, touchpad gestures, and proper keyboard shortcut support, the learning curve was almost non-existent.

However, what really sold me on the experience was the flexibility. I could run DeX wired or wirelessly, connect it to a monitor or TV, and use it with or without dedicated peripherals, depending on where I’m working and what I want to do.

The biggest issue, I would say, was the occasional slowdowns when multitasking. On my PC, I’m used to leaving dozens of browser tabs and apps open without really thinking about it. But with Samsung DeX I had to be a little more conscious. Once I started accumulating too many tabs and switching between apps, I could notice occasional stutters and slowdowns.

Another thing that bothered me was the app experience. Inside DeX, you’re basically using expanded versions of Android apps that are designed for touch input instead of a keyboard and mouse. And that means that apps don’t always behave as you’d expect on a traditional PC. For example, when I use Slack on my PC, I’m used to seeing my channels and direct messages on the left side while conversations appear on the right. However, in DeX, Slack is just an expanded phone app. Meanwhile, apps like WhatsApp look almost identical to their desktop counterparts. That inconsistency is enough to remind you that you’re not using a real desktop.

Finally, there is the aspect of portability. One of the things I was most excited about before replacing my laptop with Samsung DeX was the idea of ​​traveling lighter. In theory, carrying just a phone instead of a laptop sounded amazing. But realistically, if you really want to work comfortably on the go, you still need plenty of accessories like a keyboard, mouse, USB-C hub, and maybe even a stand. Of course, none of this is a problem when working from home or in the office, but when traveling, it simply replaces a laptop with an accessories bag.

After spending an entire week working on Samsung DeX, I left with two very different thoughts running through my head at the same time. The first is that no, DeX is still not a true laptop replacement for everyone. But the second, and perhaps most surprising, realization is how close it actually is.

Of course, the limitations are there. But Samsung DeX is not a gimmick either. In fact, for me, and probably many people whose work doesn’t involve Adobe apps, programming, massive spreadsheets, or multi-monitor setups, Samsung DeX is more than enough. And honestly, it still seems a little far-fetched to say.