beyond the alphabet
Beyond the Alphabet is a weekly column focusing on the world of tech in and around Mountain View.
When it comes to tablets and foldables, it’s hard to deny that Samsung is delivering the best experience. Now that we’re out of the TouchWiz dark ages, Samsung’s “everything but the kitchen sink” approach is finally paying off in a big way. While the company continues to improve the software, Samsung DeX remains a key selling point for those who want a truly “all-in-one” device, which is why I think it should become the default on tablets.
DeX is low-key in that it’s barely mentioned every time a new flagship device is announced. However, we make regular changes and improvements to allow you to turn your device into a portable computer.
The most recent overhaul came with the release of One UI 6, which introduced the “New DeX” interface. Instead of offering a completely different home screen and interface, New DeX basically feels like a super version of something like the Galaxy Tab S9 out of the box.
You might even have a hard time noticing that you’re using “New DeX”.
After activation, your home screen remains unchanged, including your app layout and any widgets you may have added. However, once you open the app, you’ll immediately notice something different. The app no longer takes up the entire screen like before, but opens in an app window, just like when you used “Classic DeX.”
This is great for those who want to have multiple apps open at the same time without dealing with the annoyance of split-screen. You still have access to these features, but essentially you get more flexibility than the traditional Android tablet experience. The taskbar also remains unchanged, but even your notifications and quick settings toggles are available with just a swipe down.
I hope Samsung launches this “New DeX” as the default interface for new tablets, and maybe even foldable devices like the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 6. It combines the best of both worlds, allowing us to use widgets on the home screen while easily opening multiple applications in their own separate windows. Samsung could then drop the “New” and “Classic” monikers while still allowing us access to both names.
Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s going to actually happen. Instead, I think Samsung will finally abandon the DeX we’ve all come to know and love over the years. “New DeX” will become “DeX” and the original launcher experience will remain unchanged.
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If you’re a fan of the “Classic DeX” interface, you might be a little worried that it’s going away. Thankfully, at least for now, that’s not the case. Samsung can switch from “New” to “Classic,” but you have to do some digging.
This new DeX experience also doesn’t replicate the desktop experience, especially when you connect your tablet to an external monitor. For one, the only display settings option is to choose between “Mirror tablet screen” or “Use screen alone.” Even if you choose the latter, New DeX doesn’t scale the display properly, which means you’re often left with black bars on the sides.
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Overall, this just automatically enables the Multi-Window for All Apps feature, which is already available in the Labs section of the Settings app. There are a few other nuances, such as the taskbar’s ability to hold more than four recently used apps. However, this is not part of what I would call a “DeX” experience.
You might be asking yourself, “Will Samsung really give up on “Classic DeX?” “The answer is simple. Yes, because it likes to make money. Samsung already sells its own line of laptops, and if you buy a tablet that essentially does the same thing as a laptop but with longer battery life, it loses potential sales Opportunity. That’s especially true for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, which has a 14.6-inch AMOLED display and, when paired with a book-style cover keyboard, has sold about 1,000 units. It’s getting closer to launching an Android-based Surface competitor.
Samsung’s Galaxy Book 4 360 is probably the closest comparison, as it’s a 2-in-1 laptop with a touchscreen. The Intel Core 5 model starts at $1,099 with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. There’s also a Core 7 version for $1,349, but with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, on the other hand, starts at $1,199 with 256GB of storage and goes up to $1,619 with 1TB of storage. Then you’ll also need to spend $350 for the Book Cover keyboard, so on paper the Book 4 360 is a better deal. But that’s only part of the story, as the Book 4 360 falls short of the Tab S9 Ultra in a few areas.
First, although the screen is larger, the resolution is limited to 1080p and the refresh rate is capped at 60Hz. Meanwhile, the Tab S9 Ultra comes with a smaller display, making it more portable and offering a better viewing and gaming experience thanks to the AMOLED panel and 120Hz refresh rate. Not to mention the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra’s battery lasts for days, while the Book 4 360 possible Spend a day, maybe two.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra may be expensive, but it’s still better value than some of Samsung’s best laptops.
I wish I could tell you what the future holds, Samsung will keep its hands off Classic DeX other than introducing new features. Unfortunately, I don’t have a crystal ball and don’t know what Samsung’s long-term plans are for New DeX.
But for those who don’t need an iPad, there’s a reason why I hardly recommend anything other than a Samsung tablet. That’s because most Android tablets are disappointing. Whether it’s because they lack polish, aren’t updated often, or are just plain terrible. Unless something dramatic happens, Galaxy Tabs will still be my go-to recommendation, even if “Classic DeX” is removed, but that’ll be a lot harder to do.
Samsung, please don’t ruin a good thing, even if your analysis shows that the vast majority of the user base isn’t using DeX.