Samsung's DeX mode may go wireless with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Code suggesting a wireless mode for DeX was found by XDA Developers in the "Become a power user section" of the Samsung Tips app The Tips, which appears to have been added to the app prematurely, comes with an animation showing how the DeX's quick toggle list shows all devices near the user that can connect wirelessly to the DeX

Launched in 2017 with the Galaxy S8, DeX provided a means to connect a Galaxy phone to an external monitor and provide a desktop interface similar to the Chrome OS experienced on a Chromebook

Initially, the DeX required a dedicated dock, pad, and special cable However, Samsung now allows the Galaxy S20, for example, to connect to a display via a multi-port adapter, USB-to-HDMI, or a standard USB-C cable With the latter cable, compatible Galaxy phones and tablets can be connected to a PC or laptop to access DeX functionality within a Windows 10 or macOS environment and add additional apps and features to the desktop

DeX has not received a large amount of praise as a means of making a Galaxy phone a desktop or laptop replacement However, it is still a great feature and shows the power of Samsung phones and tablets

However, a wireless mode would make the DeX much more intuitive and natural to use And such a mode is very likely to be incorporated into the Galaxy Note 20 and could be rolled out to other current devices like the Galaxy S20 lineup

Given that the Galaxy Note 20 will be powered by the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus chip, it is expected to be able to quickly run the once slow DeX interface The larger Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is also expected to have up to 12GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery pack, making this device a perfect partner for DeX and a backup desktop It could be a backup desktop computer in case a laptop or PC fails The rumored 642-inch and 687-inch displays of the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra would also make suitable secondary screens for those with limited desk space for dual monitors

Thus, wireless DeX mode could give Samsung an additional weapon against the iPhone 12 this fall, in addition to the various features that will be included in the Galaxy Note 20 handset According to a recent Apple patent, future iPhones may be able to run macOS and connect to a special MacBook dock, but this technology is not expected to appear until iPhone 13 at the earliest

The standard Note 20 is expected to feature three cameras consisting of a 12MP main lens, a 64MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, as well as a time-of-flight sensor to aid in special photographic effects such as bokeh The Note 20 Ultra will feature a 108MP main camera, a 13MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and is expected to feature a more advanced rear camera setup It will also feature a laser focus sensor to aid focusing and provide better depth detail in phone photos, as well as a ToF sensor to improve portrait mode shots

The true specs of both Galaxy Note 20 devices and the next steps for DeX are expected to be revealed at Samsung's next Unpacked event on August 5 The Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Tab S7, and Galaxy Watch 3 are also expected to be revealed