Samsung DeX Evolves: One UI 85 Brings Multiple Desktops and Smarter Features

As the holiday season unfolds, Samsung users have more than festive cheer to celebrate. Samsung’s desktop-like interface, DeX, which allows mobile devices to function like a PC, is evolving yet again. With the rollout of One UI 8.5, Samsung has introduced a series of subtle but impactful upgrades that enhance productivity, flexibility, and user control. From partial screen recording to multiple desktop support, these changes signal Samsung’s commitment to bridging the gap between mobile convenience and desktop efficiency.

Samsung DeX, already a robust platform for users wanting a desktop experience without a full PC, sees its interface refined in One UI 8.5. While the overall look remains familiar from One UI 8.0—with the same app arrangements, grid lines, and basic functionality—the update introduces several meaningful improvements. A new mirroring button in the corner allows users to switch seamlessly between DeX mode and simply mirroring their mobile screen onto a larger display. The addition of a lock button ensures that the DeX workspace can be secured behind a passcode, adding an extra layer of privacy for sensitive tasks.

Screen recording, which was previously limited to full-screen capture, now includes partial screen recording. This gives users precise control over what they capture, streamlining workflows for tutorials, presentations, and sharing specific content. Perhaps the most notable upgrade is the introduction of multiple desktop support on smartphones. While this feature has existed on Galaxy tablets running One UI 8.0, its inclusion on phones marks a significant step in making mobile DeX a more versatile tool for multitasking and organization. Users can now create and switch between separate desktops, each tailored to different workflows or tasks, effectively turning a smartphone into a multi-window productivity powerhouse.

SamMobile’s YouTube channel offers an in-depth visual guide showing these changes in action on the Galaxy S25 Ultra with One UI 8.5. Observing these updates in real-time highlights how the enhancements are not just cosmetic but practical, addressing the needs of power users who rely on DeX for work, creative tasks, or entertainment.

The DeX evolution aligns with broader trends in mobile computing, where smartphones are increasingly positioned as primary devices capable of replacing laptops in many scenarios. Samsung’s incremental improvements reflect an understanding that the desktop experience on mobile must balance familiarity with new capabilities. Features like multiple desktops, partial screen recording, and workspace security demonstrate that Samsung is paying attention to both productivity and security, a combination often overlooked in mobile interfaces.

What Undercode Say:

Samsung’s approach with One UI 8.5 suggests a strategic move toward making DeX a serious productivity tool for both casual and professional users. While early iterations of DeX focused on replicating a desktop environment, the latest changes show a shift toward modular flexibility. Partial screen recording, for instance, is not just a convenience—it’s a recognition that content creation on mobile devices is becoming more granular and task-specific. Multiple desktops on a smartphone is a transformative feature: it encourages task separation, mirroring how professionals use virtual desktops on PCs.

From an analytical perspective, these changes could signal Samsung’s broader ecosystem ambitions. By enhancing DeX, Samsung strengthens the appeal of Galaxy devices in professional and creative markets, positioning smartphones as credible alternatives to traditional laptops. The lock button, while seemingly minor, is a subtle but important nod to enterprise users who need to secure sensitive workflows.

Moreover, the user interface remains intuitive, avoiding the pitfall of overcomplicating the experience. Samsung’s incremental approach—adding powerful features without dramatically altering the core interface—reflects a deep understanding of user behavior: people want advanced functionality without a steep learning curve. For power users, the combination of multiple desktops and customizable screen recording opens doors for complex workflows, remote work, and content production directly from a smartphone.

Samsung DeX has historically been underutilized outside tech-savvy circles. One UI 8.5 may change that by offering features that are both practical and visible in everyday use. This could lead to increased adoption among professionals, educators, and creators who see tangible benefits from using DeX over traditional computing setups. By making smartphones more capable as primary devices, Samsung also nudges users further into its ecosystem, where devices, apps, and services interconnect seamlessly.

On a broader scale, the update positions Samsung competitively against other mobile productivity solutions, such as Huawei’s EMUI desktop mode or Windows-based alternatives. Samsung’s focus on incremental, user-friendly enhancements suggests a sustainable strategy: instead of chasing flashy but niche features, it prioritizes those that improve real-world utility.

Fact Checker Results:

✅ Multiple desktops feature confirmed on Galaxy phones with One UI 8.5.

✅ Partial screen recording now supported in DeX mode.

❌ No major visual overhaul—interface largely similar to One UI 8.0.

Prediction:

🌟 Samsung DeX is likely to gain traction in professional and creative markets as users discover the benefits of multiple desktops and granular screen recording. Over the next year, we could see increased adoption in enterprise environments, with Samsung positioning DeX as a credible alternative to laptops for remote work and content creation.