MASSIVE Samsung Galaxy deals during Discover Samsung!

SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a commission.

One UI 5 might be the best Samsung DeX update in years

Opinion
By 

Last updated: February 8th, 2023 at 19:33 UTC+01:00

One UI 5 might be the best update Samsung DeX got in years, which is totally fine by me, considering that I became an exclusive Samsung DeX user a little under a year ago when I was still rocking the Galaxy Note 10 running One UI 4.1. I later switched to the Galaxy S22+, which ran One UI 5.0 and boasted a few meaningful DeX improvements. And now, I can’t wait to get my hands on One UI 5.1.

Both One UI 5.0 and One UI 5.1 have brought quite a few meaningful changes and additions to Samsung DeX. And all this goes to show that the Korean tech giant is far from giving up on its desktop environment. DeX remains one of the most unique features exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy experience, and even Google has borrowed this idea from Samsung. It is now developing a similar desktop environment for Android OS.

Samsung is getting serious about DeX productivity

One UI 5.0 added few but meaningful changes to Samsung DeX, and more importantly, it improved performance. The update introduced a smart Finder to the taskbar, a new mini calendar, and redesigned the notification center. Better optimization appears to have set the foundation for the new One UI 5.1 update, which, more than anything, focuses on improving multitasking.

One UI 5.1, available now on the Galaxy S23 series, adds the ability to resize both split-view windows by dragging the handle that separates them. It’s a major quality-of-life improvement for anyone using split-view in Samsung DeX. And if you’ve ever tried resizing split-view windows in One UI 5.0, you know why. It’s impossible to resize both windows at the same time.

Even more in tune with these multitasking and productivity-oriented improvements, One UI 5.1 also adds corner window shapping a la Windows OS, making it easier for people to use more than two apps simultaneously. Essentially, this One UI 5.1 addition turns “split-view” into a true “multi-window” mode.

These are all meaningful updates to Samsung DeX, especially for productivity and ex-Windows OS users, and I can’t wait to experience One UI 5.1 on my Galaxy S22+. As a DeX enthusiast, One UI 5.0 and One UI 5.1 have made me very hopeful about the future of Samsung’s desktop environment. And if I haven’t looked back at my Windows PC until now, I probably won’t do it anytime soon.

FirmwareOpinion One UI 5.0One UI 5.1Samsung DeX
Load comments

You might also like

Galaxy S23 update brings feature to transfer video calls to tablet

Galaxy S23 update brings feature to transfer video calls to tablet

Samsung has started rolling out a new software update to the Galaxy S23 series that brings a feature that offers flexibility with video calls. It lets users transfer video calls from the Galaxy S23 series to a compatible nearby Galaxy tablet. The update is rolling out in China, according to tipster Ice Universe (@UniverseIce). Galaxy […]

  • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
  • 13 hours ago
Exclusive: Galaxy Z Flip 5 will be smallest Samsung phone to support DeX

Exclusive: Galaxy Z Flip 5 will be smallest Samsung phone to support DeX

The Galaxy Z Flip line of clamshell foldables from Samsung is not exactly as flagship-grade as some of us would like. While you get a lot of high-end features, such as the latest Snapdragon chips and 120Hz AMOLED displays, Galaxy Z Flip smartphones are lacking in some areas. The cameras, for example, are not as […]

  • By Abhijeet Mishra
  • 3 days ago
Samsung DeX needs a better native blue light filter solution

Samsung DeX needs a better native blue light filter solution

Exposing your eyes to blue light for prolonged periods can be harmful and contribute to issues ranging from sleep disorders to cataracts. Because of these effects, display manufacturers like Samsung have taken measures to reduce harmful blue light emissions in their products. Blue light emissions in TV, smartphone, and tablet panels have decreased over the […]

  • By Mihai Matei
  • 1 week ago
Digital Wellbeing sheds weight and loses one feature with latest update

Digital Wellbeing sheds weight and loses one feature with latest update

Samsung recently released an update to Digital Wellbeing. Version 4.1.01.9 didn’t have a refreshed changelog, so there was nothing to report about it, but it looks like this update removed at least one Digital Wellbeing feature. Digital Wellbeing version 4.1.01.9 rolled out with an old changelog, but we spotted that the app shed some weight […]

  • By Mihai Matei
  • 1 week ago
One UI 5.1 update rolling out more widely to Galaxy A14 5G in the US

One UI 5.1 update rolling out more widely to Galaxy A14 5G in the US

Last week, Samsung released the One UI 5.1 update to the Galaxy A14 5G’s carrier-locked version on Verizon’s network. Today, the company has expanded the availability of the update. The One UI 5.1 update is now available for the carrier-locked version of the Galaxy A14 5G on US Cellular’s network. The One UI 5.1 update […]

  • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
  • 2 weeks ago
Galaxy A23 gets One UI 5.1 update in more markets, plus a new security patch

Galaxy A23 gets One UI 5.1 update in more markets, plus a new security patch

Samsung has released the April 2023 security update for the Galaxy A23. And surprise, surprise! Along with the April 2023 security patch, the Galaxy A23 LTE (SM-A235M) is also getting One UI 5.1 in more markets. The Galaxy A23 started getting the One UI 5.1 update back in February. Now, the SM-A235M variant is getting […]

  • By Mihai Matei
  • 2 weeks ago