Samsung’s latest One UI 8 update is doing something that Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 owners have been asking for since launch. As noted by Android Authority, a host of upgrades are making DeX actually feel like a real PC for US users, a week after they rolled out in South Korea.

Inching closer to pocket-size laptops

Features that are probably Android’s future, too

Samsung DeX running on a monitor through the Galaxy Z Fold 7 at 3440 x 1440 pixels

The update is one of the most meaningful upgrades to Samsung DeX in years. Samsung rebuilt DeX from the ground up on top of Google’s Android Desktop Mode, which initially left power users feeling like they’d stepped backward in time. Now, with this release, Samsung is patching some of the biggest complaints and even throwing in some long-requested features that were missing from classic DeX.

The headline addition is home screen widgets in DeX mode. This is something Fold and Flip users have been asking about in forums for a while, and it’s finally here . You can now pin widgets to your desktop layout just like you would on your phone. Samsung also added a dedicated full-screen button to every app window, eliminating the previous need to dig through menus just to maximize an app. Another crowd-pleaser: the ability to pin any app to the DeX taskbar for quick launching.

Under the hood, Samsung has added new keyboard and mouse settings under Settings > Connected Devices > Samsung DeX, giving users fine-grained control over when the on-screen keyboard appears and how their mouse behaves on connected displays. This might seem small, but these tweaks were some of the most popular requests from DeX enthusiasts looking for a more desktop-like experience.

Outside of DeX, the update also brings Google Finance integration to the Now Bar, letting you see end-of-day price alerts for the stocks you follow, no unlocking required. The Now Brief panel gets new next and previous buttons alongside its play/pause controls, making it easier to skip tracks when listening to read-aloud content.

DeX still has some catching up to do before it reaches full feature parity with its classic version. For example, you still can’t disable mouse continuity between displays. But because Samsung rebuilt DeX on Google’s overarching Desktop Mode, we can likely expect future Android updates to bring those features eventually. For Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 owners who have been asking for a true desktop experience, this is a big step in the right direction, and it shows Samsung is listening.


  • Render of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in blue against a white background.

    Source: Samsung
    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

    SoC

    Snapdragon 8 Elite

    RAM

    12GB or 16GB

    Storage

    256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

    Battery

    4,400mAh

    Ports

    USB-C

    Operating System

    One UI 8

    The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is the thinnest and lightest in the series to date, integrating a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor for enhanced AI capabilities and a 200MP pro-grade camera. Built for enhanced durability with an Armor FlexHinge and Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, the device features a wider 6.5-inch cover screen and unfolds into an expansive 8.0-inch main display for immersive viewing and productivity.



    $2000 at Samsung
    $2000 at Best Buy


  • Two Galaxy Z Flip 7 models shown in a render against a white background.

    Source: Samsung
    Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

    SoC

    Exynos 2500

    RAM

    12GB

    Storage

    5256GB/12GB

    Battery

    4300mAh

    Operating System

    Android 16 with One UI 8

    Front camera

    10MP

    The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 is a compact, pocket-sized AI phone featuring the largest-ever 4.1-inch, edge-to-edge FlexWindow and the slimmest design in the series yet. It packs a flagship-level 50MP camera and the largest battery ever in a Galaxy Z Flip, delivering powerful performance and enhanced AI functionality directly from the cover screen.



    $1100 at Samsung