I replaced my PC with a Galaxy S26 and DeX and it was great

I always liked the idea Samsung DeX rather than the idea of ​​actually using it. Turn a telephone turning into a desktop 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 rely on every day.

Naturally, I decided to do something stupid and use the Samsung DeX as my only computer for a week. I threw away my laptop and was working on nothing but my own computer Galaxy S26monitor and a handful of accessories. I expected disappointment and maybe some regret. Instead, I had more fun than I expected.

After spending a week with the Samsung DeX, I can tell you that the experience isn’t all that different from a regular PC. There’s a taskbar for switching between apps and managing quick settings, a launch menu for opening apps, and a customizable desktop with widgets. DeX also supports window snapping, so you can snap apps to the left or right side of the screen – something I always do on my Windows laptop when multitasking.

What I like most about DeX is that I don’t have to deal with the usual sync headache that comes with switching between devices. Since it’s essentially the same phone powering everything, when I go to work mode, all my apps, files, pictures, accounts, and even browser icons are already there.

Being a writer, most of my work happens in the browser, so I rarely feel limited by Samsung DeX. Writing, researching, editing documents, managing tabs, and even hopping between Slack and email worked just fine. Sometimes I forgot I was using my phone instead of a traditional computer. The only thing I kept missing was my browser extensions. My favorite browser – Brave — It doesn’t support extensions on Android, so I missed Grammarly, Bitwarden, and a few other addons I usually rely on. It was one of those things that reminded me it was still Android underneath.

But other than that, DeX handled pretty much everything I would normally do on my laptop. For writing, browser-based work, and other daily tasks, I really didn’t miss my computer that much. In fact, using the S26’s front-facing camera instead of the 1080p webcam for business calls was quite nice.

Also, since Samsung DeX is essentially an extension of my phone, I can still make and receive calls, reply to text messages, check notifications, and use all my apps on the larger screen. Honestly, this seamless consistency was the best part of the whole experience.

The first time I tried DeX I did it without any accessories to see how useful it was. To be honest, I expected it to be clunky, but Samsung deserves some credit for making the phone function as a touchpad better than it looks on paper.

DeX supports many of the gestures I’m already used to on my Windows laptop, including right-clicking, two-finger clicking to zoom in, 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 wasn’t practical for me, as I planned to use DeX for long hours. Yes, it works great for quick sessions when you don’t want to plug in a keyboard and mouse.

Speaking of keyboards, DeX also supports many familiar Windows keyboard shortcuts. Alt + Tab switches between applications, Alt + F4 closes the current application, Win + N opens the notification panel, and Win + L locks DeX. Between the familiar One UI design, desktop-style multitasking, touchpad gestures and proper keyboard shortcut support, there was almost no learning curve.

What really sold me on the experience was the flexibility. I could run DeX wired or wireless, connect it to a monitor or TV, and use it with or without special peripherals, depending on where I was working and what I wanted to do.

The biggest issue, I’d say, was the occasional slowdowns when multitasking. I’m used to leaving dozens of browser tabs and programs open on my computer without even thinking about it. But I had to be a little more careful with Samsung DeX. After I started stacking too many icons and switching between apps, I could notice occasional stutters and slowdowns.

Another thing that bothered me was the application experience. Inside DeX, you’re basically using enhanced versions of Android apps designed for touch input rather than keyboard and mouse. And that means programs don’t always behave the way you’d expect them to on a traditional computer. For example, when using Slack on my computer, I’m used to seeing my channels and DMs on the left while conversations appear on the right. In DeX, Slack is just an extended phone app. Meanwhile, apps like WhatsApp look almost identical to their desktop counterparts. This discrepancy is enough to remind you that you are not using an actual desktop.

Finally, there’s the portability aspect. One of the things I was most excited about before replacing my laptop with the Samsung DeX was the idea of ​​traveling lighter. In theory, just carrying around a phone instead of a laptop sounded amazing. But realistically, if you really want to work comfortably on the go, you still need a bunch 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 the office, but when traveling, you simply replace the laptop with a bag of accessories.

After working on Samsung DeX for a whole week, I walked away with two different thoughts running through my mind at the same time. First, no, DeX is still not a real laptop replacement for everyone. But the second – and perhaps more surprising – realization is how close it actually is.

Of course there are limitations. But Samsung DeX is no gimmick either. In fact, for me and probably many people who don’t have Adobe apps, programming, massive spreadsheets, or multi-monitor setups in their work, Samsung DeX is good enough. Honestly, it still feels wild to say.