GoKawiilI’ve been enjoying Google’s new Pixel Desktop Mode on my Pixel 10 Pro XL lately, so much so that it almost makes the world of smartphones feel new again. However, Google is far from the first to combine smartphone and desktop experiences under one roof. US consumers have had access to Samsung’s DeX environment since 2017, and it has gradually improved the platform with various new features that have set a high bar for Google’s new system to meet.
If anything, it’s surprising that it’s taken Google just this long to come up with its own take on the formula. But how do they compare? I’ve spent some time trying out everyday desktop tasks on both platforms to help answer the question: What are the differences between Pixel Desktop and Samsung DeX, and which one is best?
Which Android desktop experience is best? 345 votes Pixel Desktop 23 % Samsung Dex 39 % They're about the same 6 % I'm not sure / Haven't used any 33 %
Pixel Desktop vs Samsung DeX at a glance
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Before getting into the features, there is one core difference between these two desktop platforms. Pixel Desktop Mode runs the exact same Android system that powers the phone interface, simply rendering a second windowing environment on the external display. Apps run in the same OS instance, but Android’s native window manager allows them to appear in resizable windows on the larger screen.
Samsung DeX takes a different approach. Rather than relying on Android’s new default desktop-style windowing, Samsung layers its own desktop interface on top of Android through One UI. Apps still run in the same Android OS instance, but Samsung replaces much of the system’s window management and UI behavior with its own desktop shell. This slightly different architecture leads to a few subtle differences in the experience, which we’ll get into in a minute, but the end result is still a native Android desktop experience.
DeX and Pixel desktop modes run your phone's Android apps, but there are subtle differences.
Thankfully, getting started with either desktop option is equally straightforward. Both platforms support DisplayPort output via USB-C, and you can easily connect up via HDMI through a dongle adapter. However, older Samsung models had a few other ways to connect, such as a DeX cable or Wireless DeX, which the Pixel doesn’t have.
The phones I used support power pass-through and hassle-free plug-and-play support for Bluetooth and USB keyboard and mice. Needless to say, I had no problem getting started with either, and both serve exactly the same purpose at a quick glance. Pixel Desktop Mode Samsung DeX First release 2025 (Pixel 10) 2017 Platform Native Android desktop windowing Samsung One UI desktop shell Connection USB-C DisplayPort USB-C, HDMI docks, Wireless Desktop customization Limited Full desktop layout
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