Samsung Dex-like desktop mode coming to all Android 16 phones
A new feature, currently in testing, may let you replace your laptop with your smartphone.
Desktop View, a feature that lets Android smartphones run in a desktop mode, is currently in testing in Android 16. Desktop View will allow users to run their phone with a more traditional desktop. This can be extended to connected external displays, effectively turning a smartphone running Android 16 into a more traditional computer.
Some Android phones already have similar features, such as Samsung's Dex and Motorola's "Ready For" modes. When connected to an external display, these phones can run a windowed desktop environment which operates more like Windows or desktop Linux than a touchscreen-centric user interface.
It should be noted that Android currently has a developer option for running in a desktop mode, but the vast majority of phones do not support it or don't support external displays.
Desktop View is apparently available in Android 16 Beta 3, according to Android Authority. While Google is actively working on the feature, getting it launched in time for Android 16's official release (expected in June of this year) is a race against the clock. It may roll out with a later update or may be delayed until Android 17 in 2026.
Considering how powerful and efficient smartphones have become, the ability to use a smartphone as a true "all-in-one" device by running a desktop environment has long been a dream for some tech enthusiasts.
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