Samsung is keeping One UI 7, its next Android-based skin, mostly under wraps. While leaks hint at new icons and interface tweaks, an update on Samsung’s UK website reveals a more significant change: the DeX app for Windows is being discontinued.
For the uninitiated, DeX allows Galaxy phone owners to project their device’s screen onto a PC window. The functionality, aptly named “Desktop eXperience,” facilitates seamless file transfer between the two devices. It’s a handy tool, especially for those who want a more desktop-like experience from their phone.
However, a footnote on Samsung’s DeX page hints at the feature’s future:
The DeX for PC on Windows OS will end support from the One UI 7 version. We encourage customers to connect mobile phones and PC through the Link to Windows feature.
It’s not surprising
While the news isn’t exactly surprising, it’s a shift for DeX users on Windows. Samsung suggests migrating to the built-in “Link to Windows” feature, which offers similar functionality. It’s a logical move considering Link to Windows is native to the Windows ecosystem and works with more than just Samsung devices.
It’s worth noting that only the Windows app is being discontinued. DeX itself remains available to connect directly to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, allowing users to enjoy a desktop-like setup. However, for those accustomed to the Windows app, this change may disrupt familiar workflows.
The end of the DeX Windows app isn’t the only change coming with One UI 7. Samsung also plans to drop support for downloading third-party edge panels, further streamlining the user interface. While much about One UI 7 remains undisclosed, leaks hint at notable changes in design and features.
Whether One UI 7’s new features outweigh the loss of tools like the DeX Windows app and third-party edge panels remains to be seen. However, Galaxy users should prepare for these shifts as the update approaches.
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