Galaxy S9 Android Pie To Bring Dock-Less Samsung DeX

It seems that some Pie won't be the only sweet thing that the next Android update will bring to Samsung's early 2018 flagships. Even if the Galaxy Note 9 launched with the same Android 8.1 Oreo version, the latter smartphone runs a more recent version of Samsung's custom Experience and, as such, had a few exclusive perks. But according to the latest leaks of the upcoming beta, the Galaxy S9 will soon be on equal footing, getting features like a Samsung DeX that needs no docks.

There might have really been no technical reason for Samsung to require the bulky DeX Station or the DeX Pad to enable its desktop-like experience. After all, Huawei was able to deliver its Desktop Mode using just a USB-C to HDMI cable. But given Samung's recent overheating history, the Korean manufacturer may have opted to err on the side of caution, including a mini fan in the docks to keep things cool when the phone is being used heavily and charged at the same time.

With the Galaxy Note 9's new cooling system, Samsung has been able to do away with that but for a price. It's not possible to run more than 5 apps simultaneously in DeX without using a dock. That's probably just fine for people on the go.

Now that same freedom will be granted to the Galaxy S9 and S9+, according to GalaxyClub. Whether or not their cooling systems are up to the task is a different question but Samsung seems confident enough to do so. Not that it would have much choice unless it wants a mob of angry Galaxy S9 owners in its forums.

The catch, at least for now, is that such owners will have to wait for Android 9 Pie to roll out to them, which will bring Samsung Experience 10. The latter is actually the part of the software package that brings that feature. That also includes things like Scene Optimizer which has launched with newer Samsung phones.

When it will rollout is the big question mark as Samsung has not even started the beta program yet. Given the state of leaked beta firmware, it shouldn't be long now, which would also match last year's timetable. Hopefully, it won't have the same fiasco as the Oreo rollout as well.