
The Galaxy Z Flip 7's best new feature is one that other Samsung phones have had for years
DeX transforms the phone into a portable PC when connected to an external display, providing a desktop interface with a taskbar and windowed apps.
Samsung previously omitted DeX from the Flip lineup due to thermal concerns, an issue it has seemingly resolved for the Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Clamshell foldables like the Galaxy Z Flip are gaining popularity by balancing portability and power. When folded, they become compact squares that easily fit into any pocket or purse. When unfolded, they function just like regular smartphones. However, achieving that compact, folding form factor requires some compromises, and for the Galaxy Z Flip lineup, Samsung has consistently left its DeX desktop mode on the cutting board. That omission ends now, as Samsung is finally making the new Galaxy Z Flip 7 the first in the lineup to fully support the feature.
If you aren't familiar with it, Samsung DeX is a robust desktop experience built into One UI. When you connect a compatible phone or tablet to an external display, DeX transforms it into a portable PC, showing a desktop-like interface instead of simply mirroring the screen. A taskbar at the bottom provides navigation buttons, the date and time, a notification shortcut, and a dock for your apps. You can launch apps in floating windows with familiar controls to minimize, maximize, close, or snap them to the sides.
DeX is a powerful productivity feature that's useful in a pinch or can even serve as a primary computing interface. To date, however, it has only been available on the flagship Galaxy S and Galaxy Z Fold series. Despite the Galaxy Z Flip lineup featuring flagship chipsets and ample memory, Samsung excluded DeX due to thermal concerns. The company worried that running DeX — especially while powering a portable display, various accessories, and multiple intensive apps — would cause the Flip to overheat.
With the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Samsung has seemingly solved these thermal issues, finally allowing the device to use DeX like its S and Z Fold siblings. While we don't have a video of DeX running on the Galaxy Z Flip 7, Samsung confirmed the feature's availability in a press release and during our briefing. We also spotted DeX's settings page during our hands-on time with the device. Samsung says that both wired and wireless DeX work on the Z Flip 7, though wireless DeX still only works with external displays that support Miracast.
Unfortunately, Samsung doesn't seem to have enabled DeX on the new Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which is a shame. When we searched for the feature on the device, nothing appeared in Settings, unlike on the regular Z Flip 7. We don't know why the feature isn't enabled on the Z Flip 7 FE, but it could be due to product differentiation reasons or the same thermal concerns that prevented it from being enabled on older devices.
Left: Samsung DeX settings on the Galaxy Z Flip 7. Right: The Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE missing Samsung DeX settings.
Speaking of older devices in the Z Flip lineup, don't get your hopes up for DeX coming to your device. The Z Flip 5 was the first in the series to even support display output, and the Z Flip 6 was the first to add a vapor chamber for cooling. When the Z Flip 6 launched, we noticed it had a rudimentary desktop mode — somewhere between Android's stock experience and full DeX — which gave us hope Samsung might eventually bring the full feature to the device. While we still hope that's the case, we wouldn't hold our breath. Perhaps we'll find out for sure when One UI 8 arrives for the Z Flip 6.
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at
Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNET
18 minutes ago
- CNET
I Underestimated Workout Buddy. Apple's Playing the Long Game for AI Coaching
I didn't think I needed a "buddy" to cheer me on during a workout when Apple first announced its new Workout Buddy feature in WatchOS 26. Despite it being an AI-powered voice that extols you with positive feedback as you run (or as you do any number of activities), I was envisioning a non-nonsense trainer that would push me out of my comfort zone and into peak performance. But after testing it myself and talking in-depth with Apple about how it works, I'm starting to think the company undersold it on purpose. Workout Buddy is much more than just a hype man, and it represents a crucial turning point in Apple's health journey. Workout Buddy turns your Apple Watch into a friendly voice that lauds your achievements during workouts. The WatchOS 26 feature isn't a full-blown fitness coach that can guide your training plan, but that doesn't mean Apple isn't headed there. In fact, Workout Buddy may be the clearest signal yet that Apple is laying the groundwork for something much bigger in terms of fitness tools and AI. At a time when investors and enthusiasts are critical about the company's AI efforts, especially compared to competitors like Samsung and Google, Apple has a chance with Workout Buddy to show how its approach is different in a meaningful way. After the lukewarm debut of Apple Intelligence on the iPhone, Workout Buddy is the first time we're seeing what Apple can do with AI on the watch. I recently tested Workout Buddy in the developer beta of WatchOS 26 and was genuinely surprised by how it made me feel after a walk. I spoke with Jay Blahnik, Apple's vice president of fitness technologies, and Deidre Caldbeck, senior director of Apple Watch product marketing, to get more clarity around the feature, and unpack the tech and philosophy behind it. And the sense that I got from them is that Apple's marathon toward personalized, intelligent coaching is only getting started. Don't call it a coach… yet When Apple introduced Workout Buddy at WWDC in June, many Apple Watch fans (including myself) were quick to critique Workout Buddy for being more of a hype man/woman, than a trainer. Compared to competitors such as Fitbit, Garmin and recently Samsung, all of which already offer some form of AI-powered adaptive coaching plan, Workout Buddy with its real-time feedback, is more like a cheerleader than a strategist. It's easy to overlook what Apple set in motion, by focusing on what Workout Buddy isn't. The feature is designed to be a motivating presence during your workout, not a drill sergeant. It delivers contextual, personalized encouragement that's dynamically generated in real time across eight supported workout types: indoor/outdoor walks and runs, outdoor cycling, HIIT, Functional Strength Training and Traditional Strength Training. "We didn't want it to be just a pro tool," Blahnik told me. "We wanted it to be accessible to as many people as possible." Workout Buddy requires you wear headphones. I'm a no-frills runner, who'd rather use 2 extra minutes to work out than spend them searching for a headset and choosing the perfect playlist (WatchOS 26 will soon take care of this too). So I wasn't sold on the idea of using Workout Buddy rather than just tracking my regular pace and heart rate alerts on the wrist with my Apple Watch. And while I'm still not fully onboard with the whole audio gear requirement, I didn't mind having the Workout Buddy version of my alerts in my ear reminding me that I'd reached my cruising range (that is, my target training zone). Enabling Workout Buddy in the developer's beta of watchOS 26. Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET When I launched my first walk workout, I toggled Workout Buddy on and was greeted with a quick summary of my week so far. "This is your fourth walk this week," it reminded me, and framed it in the context of how close I was to closing my rings. It wasn't groundbreaking, but it was surprisingly helpful to have that context delivered in a conversational tone, rather than buried in a graph somewhere. "It's not a coach, but it is designed to take your data and try to deliver it to you at the right time," explained Blaknik, "in a way that inspires you and doesn't get in the way." My Workout Buddy did start to get a little too chatty though when I hit some hills during my walk and my heart rate started spiking. Because my HR was constantly teetering above and dipping below my target, the alerts were hitting my ear every few seconds. Luckily, you can tweak or disable HR alerts entirely for each individual workout. My personal sweet spot just involved removing the high HR alert. A decade of sweat equity and a team of trainers Workout Buddy was not just Apple's whimsical creation made to prove that the company can do AI for health and workouts. It's the result of a decade of fitness data, an inspiring team of Fitness Plus trainers, and the technical lift of Apple Intelligence, Caldbeck told me. "This was such a great time for it to happen because three things came together," Caldbeck said. "Ten years of sweat equity, your personal fitness data. Our Fitness Plus trainers. And Apple Intelligence, which gave us the technical capabilities to push it forward." I could feel all three in the final product. The voice I heard isn't just some generic audio prompt, which is what I was used to from these types of features on other devices. It's a generative model trained on the voices of 28 actual Fitness Plus trainers. The tone, energy, and phrasing feels intentional and personal. "It's not a recording," Caldbeck emphasized. "There was no script. It's generated in the moment using your workout data and the voice model, and it will sound different every time." When I first set up Workout Buddy on my Apple Watch Series 10, I was prompted to choose from one of three distinct voices. They weren't the tough-love trainer I'd envisioned would whip me into the best shape of my life, but they did sound like someone I'd trust to help me get there. Authoritative, energetic and strangely human. A far cry from the telemarketer-style robo-coach voices I've encountered in other programs. There was a moment when Workout Buddy tipped its hand as something being less than human. It came during a mile-mark check-in, right after I'd crested what I considered a steep hill. It reported my stats: "One mile in, 230 feet of elevation gain." Then it paused and declared, "That's a mild elevation gain!" The tone was so emphatic, you'd think I'd just scaled Everest. It wasn't the message that stood out; it was the delivery. A real person would've said "mild" matter of factly. But this was delivered with such over-the-top cheer that it almost felt like sarcasm. But the mismatch between tone and achievement made it sound like my wrist was gently roasting me for doing the bare minimum. Personalization, with privacy at the core The personalization isn't just about your data, it's about how it's delivered. Workout Buddy can adapt to your habits, preferences, and even time of day. "There's something really remarkable about knowing that whatever they're saying is unique to that moment, and that you're not just going to trigger that same sentence on your run again the next day, even if you've done the same thing." said Blahnik. At the end of the walk, Workout Buddy summarized my stats, distance and calories. And it shared one meaningful nugget: My walk was my fastest pace in four weeks. That hit me harder than I expected. I've been coming off a knee injury that's kept me from running for five weeks, and hearing that small gain was the moment I realized I might be on the mend. It was the kind of contextual insight I'd usually have to dig out on my own, in this case surfaced in my ear without having to think about it. Under the hood, Apple is balancing Workout Buddy's intimacy with its long-standing privacy approach. The feature uses a combination of on-device processing (on both your watch and iPhone) and private cloud computation to generate responses in real time. None of your personal fitness data is shared externally. "We know this is your most personal data," said Caldbeck. "So we wanted to treat it appropriately, but still give you powerful insights." This cautious approach matters. Trust will be the foundation for any future health coaching Apple delivers through AI. Apple's got a new AI-powered training partner for you. Apple/CNET A vision that's just at the starting line While Workout Buddy is only available to those with Apple Intelligence-supported iPhones, all Apple Watch users will still benefit from other updates in WatchOS 26. The limitation isn't about exclusivity, it's about processing power. Generating real-time, personalized voice feedback requires the kind of on-device performance that current Apple Watch hardware alone can't handle. At least not yet. The Apple Watch's Workout app has the biggest navigation overhaul since it launched in 2015. Core features like interval training and pace alerts, previously buried in menus, are now front and center. Media integration also improved, with dynamic Apple Music suggestions based on your typical workouts that will play as soon as you start your workout. "We kept our focus on making these features as personal and easy to use as possible," Blahnik said. "Pushing the workout app further than it's ever been." That framing; focused on simplicity, accessibility, and personalization, is key to understanding Apple's strategy. While other companies rush to launch full-blown AI fitness coaches, Apple is taking a more deliberate path: It's building the infrastructure to handle your data and translate it into meaningful, real-time guidance. Apple's been here before with adding native sleep tracking to the Apple Watch. The company waited until it had a clinical reason and subsequently a trustworthy implementation with Sleep Apnea alerts, even while competitors had long offered basic sleep tracking features. "We almost always start our features to be really welcoming and inclusive and simple to use. We think that there's a really bright future for where this can go as well," Blahnik told me. Apple's long game Of course Apple will never tell us where its sights are set next, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to draw the connections of where this is all headed. "When we think about the future, all the ways with which we can push this feature to be even more personalized, we think its really, really exciting," Blahnik noted. Workout Buddy may seem lightweight now, but it proves that real time data analysis is already a possibility on the Apple Watch, and it can deliver them in a way that feels motivating and deeply personal. More importantly, it's testing the waters. It's accessible, friendly, and non-threatening; something even a beginner might be inclined to use. It's setting the stage for what could be next: an AI-powered coach that helps you make sense of all your data beyond just the Workout app to help motivate you and lead you to build healthier habits that will lead to measurable improvements. If Apple plays this right, the long game may actually pay off. Because building trust, delivering real insights, and meeting people where they are is how you win the marathon.

Business Insider
19 minutes ago
- Business Insider
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 screen protectors
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 screen protectors are made of durable tempered glass and come with a kit or tool for easy installation. Below, we've compiled a list of our favorite screen protector options based on our testing experience with Samsung and third-party brands. Among the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 screen protectors, our top pick is the Spigen tempered glass screen protector, which features durable tempered glass and comes in a two-pack. Milomdoi's screen protector package is a worthy budget option that includes an installation applicator and comes in a two-pack. FAQ Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 need a screen protector? While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 — like its predecessors — is known for more durable displays than what was around in the aughts, it isn't immune to damage. A screen protector — paired with one of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 cases — is your best damage-preventing duo to protect your investment in one of 2025's best Android phones for years to come. After all, it is much less of a hassle and far more convenient to replace a cracked screen protector or damaged case — no lengthy warranty process involved. What should I look for in a Galaxy Z Fold 7 screen protector? When looking for a screen protector for your new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, there are a couple of factors worth considering. You want to ensure that the display's image resolution is not affected while also making sure that an accidental tumble or encounter with pocketed keys doesn't crack the glass. You also want to ensure that the screen protector is made of durable tempered glass. While plastic screen protectors do exist and were quite popular in the 2000s, they do not provide nearly the same level of protection as tempered glass screen protectors. Using a plastic screen protector in 2025 would arguably be like pairing one of the best phones on the market with only a piece of paper for protection. Will a Galaxy Z Fold 6 screen protector fit a Galaxy Z Fold 7? While the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 are among the best Samsung phones released to date, their screen protectors aren't cross-compatible due to the vastly different screen sizes and dimensions of both devices. If you have a Galaxy Z Fold 6, you can refer to our compilation of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 screen protectors for further guidance.


Android Authority
an hour ago
- Android Authority
Samsung killed its classic DeX mode in One UI 8, but there's a good reason
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung killed its 'classic' DeX in One UI 8, replacing it with a new version built on top of Google's native Desktop Mode in Android. This move aligns DeX with Google's broader effort to improve Android's desktop capabilities, which should benefit DeX in the long run. However, the new DeX is currently a downgrade for users, as it lacks many quality-of-life features that were present in the classic version. Samsung DeX is one of the best features of One UI, letting you transform your powerful Galaxy phone or tablet into a portable PC. You simply hook up your Galaxy device to an external display, fire up DeX mode, and connect some accessories, and you have a full desktop experience. DeX has evolved over the years, but the latest One UI 8 release brings its most significant changes yet. Samsung has killed off the 'classic' DeX experience, replacing it with a new version that's arguably a downgrade for now. However, this change is poised to pay off handsomely in the future. Here's why. Samsung introduced DeX with the Galaxy S8 series in 2017, over two years before Google added even a rudimentary desktop mode to Android. Because Android natively lacked much of the functionality DeX required, Samsung had to make significant under-the-hood changes to the operating system. For example, Samsung modified core Android components to add its own desktop windowing system, a dedicated desktop launcher, and an improved connected display experience. This required a massive effort that didn't stop at the initial launch, as Samsung had to carry these custom changes forward through multiple Android releases. Samsung is in the business of selling Android phones and Windows PCs (…and a ton of other things), though, so they have little incentive to invest heavily into transforming Android into a full-fledged desktop OS. As a result, DeX has long been just 'good enough' for casual users wanting to watch media or do light work on the go, but it has never been robust enough to fully replace a traditional PC for professionals. Google, however, is a different story. The company has spent years trying to break into the PC market with ChromeOS, which has seen major success in the education sector. But developing two operating systems simultaneously is inefficient, so Google is pooling its resources to merge the two platforms. This effort involves bringing many Chrome OS features to Android, such as a desktop version of Chrome with extension support, a Linux environment, and more. As part of these efforts, Google is finally adding proper desktop windowing and a new connected display experience to Android. The Android 16 release introduces a Desktop Mode with many DeX-like features, such as a taskbar at the bottom and support for freeform app windows. This new mode is, in fact, built on the very foundation of Samsung DeX. Google and Samsung collaborated to improve desktop windowing on Android, culminating in the new experience we see today. With Google now developing a native desktop mode for Android, there's no longer a need for Samsung to maintain its own heavily modified version of DeX. Doing so would be counterproductive, requiring Samsung to constantly adapt its code to Google's changes and risk breaking compatibility with apps built for large screens. While phone makers often stick with their own software features even after Google introduces a stock equivalent, this situation is different. Desktop Mode is poised to become a core part of Google's future Android strategy, making its adoption essential. Samsung actually began this migration in One UI 6.0 with its 'new' DeX mode for tablets. While the company still offered its 'classic' DeX as an option then, it has removed it in One UI 8 to focus on building features on top of Google's native Desktop Mode. This change is ultimately a good thing, as it means Samsung DeX will inherit the new features and improvements Google introduces in the coming years. However, the initial transition might annoy some users. The current version of DeX in One UI 8 lacks many of the small quality-of-life features that Samsung added to its classic mode over the years. With help from Reddit user FragmentedChicken, we compiled the following list of differences between Samsung's 'classic' DeX and the new DeX in One UI 8: The toggle to Auto start when HDMI is connected has been removed from DeX settings. However, this has been effectively replaced by the Extended option under Settings > Connected devices > Samsung DeX > Connected display, as by default, DeX will now start when the phone's screen is extended to an external display. Samsung DeX settings in One UI 8 Connected display settings in One UI 8 The settings for Taskbar , Keyboard , Set default audio input , and App icon badges have been removed. Taskbar: Can no longer toggle auto hide taskbar, toggle the navigation buttons, toggle the finder (search button), toggle the keyboard language, toggle the keyboard (either on screen or on phone), toggle the volume, or toggle the screenshot button. Keyboard: Can't set the on screen keyboard location either on the connected display or the phone by default, can't toggle showing the on screen keyboard when a physical keyboard is being used. Set default audio input: This setting made sounds play through the connected TV or monitor when Samsung DeX started. App icon badges: Changed how notifications were shown on app icons, either as a small number or a dot. , , , and have been removed. Classic Samsung DeX settings in One UI 7 App icon badge settings under classic DeX in One UI 7 Taskbar settings for classic DeX in One UI 7 Keyboard settings for classic DeX in One UI 7 The Flow pointer to phone screen page has been removed. This setting let you choose if you wanted to enable mouse continuity between the phone and external display. It has functionally been replaced by the Android 16 display topology feature that allows you to rearrange where your phone and external display are located in virtual space. However, mouse continuity is enabled by default now and cannot be disabled. page has been removed. This setting let you choose if you wanted to enable mouse continuity between the phone and external display. It has functionally been replaced by the Android 16 display topology feature that allows you to rearrange where your phone and external display are located in virtual space. However, mouse continuity is enabled by default now and cannot be disabled. Lock DeX and exit DeX buttons were removed from the app drawer: The lock DeX button locked DeX, requiring you to enter your phone's screen lock or biometrics. The Exit DeX button allowed you to quit DeX. and buttons were removed from the app drawer: The lock DeX button locked DeX, requiring you to enter your phone's screen lock or biometrics. The Exit DeX button allowed you to quit DeX. The Pin app button has been removed from apps' header bars. This button allowed you to pin an app to keep it on top of other apps you open. Flow pointer to phone screen settings for classic DeX in One UI 8 Lock DeX and exit DeX buttons for classic DeX in One UI 7 Pin button in app header for classic DeX in One UI 7 MultiStar removed the ' I❤️Samsung DeX ' menu. The 'High resolutions for external display' option is still there in the main MultiStar menu, but the 'run many apps at same time' which allowed you to run more than 5 apps at a time, auto open last app which allowed you to reopen the last app you had open, and set taskbar and header bar display time option which allows you to change the delay for showing the header bar have been removed. ' menu. The 'High resolutions for external display' option is still there in the main MultiStar menu, but the 'run many apps at same time' which allowed you to run more than 5 apps at a time, auto open last app which allowed you to reopen the last app you had open, and set taskbar and header bar display time option which allows you to change the delay for showing the header bar have been removed. Miscellaneous behavior changes You can't snap windows to the top anymore, but you can still double click app headers to maximize them. You can't right click the taskbar to access taskbar settings You can't right click the desktop to change how apps are sorted, clean up the desktop, or access screen zoom settings Finally, the app header bar and taskbar remain on screen even if you're trying to watch a video in full screen. Watching a full screen video in classic DeX on One UI 7 Watching a full screen video in the new DeX in One UI 8 As far as we can tell, the only proprietary DeX components that remain are its touchpad, wallpaper settings, S Pen integration, and wireless display connectivity. Fortunately, the new version of DeX retains most of the basic functionality of the classic experience, so most people should be satisfied with it. Samsung DeX home screen in One UI 8 New header bar dropdown options in One UI 8 DeX Redesigned app drawer in One UI 8's DeX Redesigned notifications tray in One UI 8's DeX Redesigned Quick Settings tray in One UI 8's DeX Redesigned recents menu in One UI 8's DeX While Samsung might add some classic features back in future updates, there's no guarantee. One thing is certain, however: Samsung won't be returning to its old DeX implementation. However, assuming Google commits to its desktop Android plans, the future for the new version of DeX looks bright. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.