From the bringing the dedicated Quick Settings page to integrating the core part of Samsung Knox into Android 8.0 and adding QR codes in Quick Share, Samsung has inspired Google into bringing a lot of useful features to Android over the past decade. Now, it has been confirmed that Android 16's Desktop Mode feature is built on top of Samsung DeX's foundations.

During the Google I/O 2025 Developer Keynote event, Google confirmed on stage that Android 16's Desktop Mode is “built on the foundations of Samsung DeX.” Google said it has been working with Samsung to improve Android's desktop windowing capabilities and to bring more productivity workflows. Those app windowing features were showcased on the stage during the event.

This isn't the first time Google took an inspiration from Samsung DeX. It mentioned last year that Android 15's Freeform Windows feature was partly inspired by Samsung DeX.

Google said it has removed the ability for developers to lock their apps to a specific orientation with Android 16. So, developers now need to optimize their apps for a variety of screen sizes and aspect ratios, such as for foldable phones, tablets, ChromeOS, and even Android Auto. When apps are optimized for tablets and ChromeOS, they are automatically optimized for Android XR-based XR headsets such as Samsung's Project Moohan.

Samsung DeX was first launched in 2017 with the Galaxy S8. It offered a desktop PC-like UI for enhanced productivity when a compatible Galaxy phone was connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse using the DeX Station. It allowed minimizing and maximizing app windows and even offered multiple tabs in the web browser.

In 2018, Samsung removed the requirement for the DeX Station and allowed phones to be connected directly to monitors and TVs via a USB 3.1 Type-C to HDMI cable or adapter.

In 2020, Samsung DeX Wireless then brought the ability to do the same without the need for the DeX Station and relied on Miracast-based wireless screen mirroring and Bluetooth for connecting the keyboard and the mouse.

Recently, it was discovered that Samsung has improved the design of Samsung DeX in Android 16-based One UI 8.0. It features a centered taskbar and app drawer, a drop-down menu on top of each app window, and Galaxy Buds integration into the Quick Panel.