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Why it matters: Samsung customers have long used DeX to run their phones in desktop mode. Google is reportedly developing a similar feature for the Pixel line, which may debut with Android 16 or 17. Although still in early development, the company has already demoed the functionality on a Pixel 8 Pro.

Google appears poised to bring a full-fledged desktop experience to Android users. The search giant recently enabled the new functionality on a Pixel 8 Pro running the Android 16 beta, offering a preview of how its desktop experience could reshape multitasking on Android devices. This upcoming feature is undergoing testing on Pixel devices and aims to transform smartphones into versatile workstations, eventually rivaling Samsung DeX.

Samsung DeX has long set the standard for turning smartphones into desktop-like workstations. It lets users connect their phone to an external monitor and interact with apps in floating windows using a keyboard and mouse. Until now, only Samsung devices have supported this feature. Android Authority notes that Google's approach closely mirrors DeX but adds an Android-centric twist.