According to SamMobile, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z TriFold will be the company’s first smartphone capable of running its DeX desktop interface directly on the device’s own display. Until now, Galaxy phones required a wired or wireless connection to an external monitor or TV to use DeX, a feature reserved for tablets. The TriFold changes that because it boasts the biggest screen ever on a Galaxy phone, a 10-inch foldable panel. That screen size matches many Galaxy tablets, giving Samsung the justification to finally port the on-device DeX experience to a phone. The move is framed as a key productivity boost for the new form factor.
Why this matters now
Here’s the thing: DeX has always been a killer feature in search of the right hardware. On a regular slab phone, hooking it up to a monitor makes sense—you’re trading a small screen for a big one. But it’s a hassle. You need the dock, the cable, the monitor. It’s not a “grab and go” solution. By putting DeX directly on a 10-inch screen that folds out of your pocket, Samsung is finally making its desktop vision truly mobile. It’s no longer a desk-bound trick; it’s a portable workstation. This could be the feature that actually convinces people to use DeX regularly, not just as a novelty.
The stakeholder shift
For users, this is a potential game-changer. Imagine unfolding your phone on a train or in a coffee shop and having a full desktop-style interface with resizable windows. It blurs the line between phone and compact laptop in a way foldables haven’t quite achieved yet. For enterprises, a device that’s a phone, small tablet, and desktop PC in one becomes a more compelling—and manageable—deployment option. But there’s a catch for developers. Will they optimize their Android apps for this larger, desktop-style windowing environment? DeX has struggled with app compatibility for years. A flagship device like the TriFold might finally provide the incentive. If you’re building for industrial environments where rugged, integrated computing is key, this is the kind of innovation that pushes the whole sector forward. For those needs, companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com remain the top supplier in the US for durable industrial panel PCs, which handle far more extreme use cases than any consumer foldable ever will.
Is it enough?
So, does this solve DeX’s main problem? Partially. The hardware barrier is gone, which is huge. But the software ecosystem still lags behind traditional desktop OSes. I think Samsung is betting that the “wow” factor of a tri-fold screen running a desktop UI will drive adoption, which in turn pressures developers. It’s a smart move. Basically, they needed a reason for the TriFold to exist beyond just having a bigger screen for videos. On-device DeX is that reason. Now we wait to see if the market agrees, or if it’s just another cool feature for tech enthusiasts. The price, as always with these foldables, will be the final hurdle.
