Android 16 might finally bring a desktop mode to the mobile operating system for the first time, and Samsung may be iterating on top of it with a design of its desktop mode DeX, similar to its One UI skin.
If you haven't used DeX before, it's a desktop client Samsung built on top of Android that enables Galaxy smartphones to run a UI that mimics a desktop PC when plugged into or wirelessly connected to an external monitor. Samsung tablets have this feature natively using their own displays.
Depending on your Samsung device, DeX can is a great tool for essentially making your phone a portable PC. We found DeX worked great on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 last year.
However, it feels left behind on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, largely due to a lack of innovation since the S23 Ultra and the controversial decision to eliminate Bluetooth support for the S Pen.
Both Google and Samsung are moving up their usual timelines for releasing new versions of their operating systems this year. And DevOfIpos on X, spotted a new version of in a test version of One UI 8, which should launch in July.
According to Ipos, they were able to get this redesigned DeX running on a Galaxy S25 Ultra that has a test version One UI 8 installed.
From what we can see in screenshots they posted, the updated DeX utilizes a taskbar that opens up an app drawer, a new Quick Settings design and window management.
A number of these features already exist, but the look and feel appears different, more in line with the reported Google version of a desktop mode.
We've written before that Samsung DeX is an underrated feature that other phones should copy but also needs to be improved. Hopefully, Google's version pushes Samsung to innovate a bit.
DevOfIpos also pointed a couple of other One UI 8 updates including improved Galaxy Buds integration for older models, a new Quick Share app, and even more blurring of settings screens.
