In this story about reviving an abandoned device, I'll explain how I transformed an old smartphone into a functional computer. After upgrading to a newer model, mobile devices often get neglected. My Samsung Galaxy S21 FE became rarely used, only for occasional YouTube videos. But when I needed an extra computer in my guest room, I chose not to spend money on a new laptop or desktop. The solution came from a hidden feature in Android: Samsung's DeX mode.
This mode lets the phone run a desktop-like interface on large screens. I connected an old monitor to the phone and got a working system without spending any money on new equipment. It worked with just an HDMI cable, no technical modifications or special software needed.
First, not every room in a house needs a powerful system. For simple tasks like web browsing, media playback, or light office work, a smartphone can be enough. In my guest room, I wanted a secondary device to quickly access information or let kids do homework without interrupting my main work.
Such a system works well for light home use. However, it's important to recognize its limitations. For example, you can't install a full operating system like Windows or Linux on a phone. Still, Samsung has spent years refining DeX, and now it's much more stable and intuitive than before.
Since I started using this mode, I've been impressed by the interface quality. DeX doesn't try to replace traditional operating systems. Instead, it offers an expanded Android version that looks like a desktop. You get a taskbar, floating windows, and support for multiple apps open at once.
For the best experience, you need a few extra accessories. First, connect to a monitor using a USB-C to HDMI adapter. This isn't expensive — I found one for under five dollars. The adapter also has useful ports like USB Type-A for connecting a keyboard and mouse.
Another essential item is a USB hub for connecting multiple peripherals. Normally, you also need a constant power source for the phone, otherwise the battery drains quickly during use. While this might seem like a limitation, it's a small price for such a versatile system.
A strong point of this system is that it requires no complex setup. Usually, DeX starts automatically once the phone detects a monitor connection. You don't need to access settings or activate anything manually.
Even though it works well at standard resolutions like HD or FHD, you can get higher resolutions by installing a plugin called MultiStar from the Samsung Good Lock app. This helps if you have a high-definition monitor and want maximum image quality.
Regarding apps, Android developers have adapted many programs to work well in desktop mode. For example, Chrome allows opening multiple tabs simultaneously without freezing. You can also use apps like Google Docs for quick text editing, though the interface isn't identical to traditional systems.
Video playback is one of the best experiences this system offers. You can watch YouTube videos using the native app, and quality is excellent even at high resolutions like 1080p or 1440p. While browser-based video isn't as smooth, it's perfect for normal content consumption.
One major advantage is that you don't need to invest in new equipment. If you have a Samsung phone and an old monitor, you can create a fully functional system by spending just a few dollars on necessary accessories.
However, there are some limitations. For example, the phone can heat up considerably under heavy tasks, and the battery must always stay connected to a power source. Also, some apps may have interfaces not perfectly adapted for desktop mode, making certain actions harder than on traditional systems.
Using a phone as your main work system is probably too limited for most users. However, if you just need an extra computer for simple tasks, this setup is an excellent and economical solution.
I've used this setup for several weeks and am impressed by how well it works. If you have a Samsung phone and an old monitor, I recommend trying this configuration. It's a smart way to give new life to a device that would otherwise be thrown away.
Recently, Samsung launched its new Galaxy S26 model, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. This model includes new AI-related features and camera improvements, suggesting DeX's future will be even more advanced.
In conclusion, this experience showed me that you don't always need an expensive system to access a computer. With just