Yes — the Samsung Galaxy S8+ supports Samsung DeX in full, just like its smaller sibling the S8. In fact, I’d argue the S8+ is the better DeX phone of the two: more battery, a larger display for phone-side multitasking, and the same USB-C connection that triggers desktop mode automatically. If you’re wondering whether the Galaxy S8+ can replace a laptop, here’s the honest answer: for focused productivity work, it genuinely can.
The S8+ launched alongside the S8 in April 2017 — both were Samsung DeX pioneers, both still run DeX today. Here’s everything you need to set it up as a proper mobile workstation.
What you need to turn your Galaxy S8+ into a PC
The Galaxy S8+ was built around Samsung’s original DeX Station, but in 2026 you have much better options. Here’s what I recommend:
- Lapdock (best for mobile work): A USB-C lapdock turns the Galaxy S8+ into a shell laptop — screen, keyboard, trackpad, and extra battery in one slim device. The NexDock Lapdock from Mobile-Only connects to the S8+’s USB-C port and launches Samsung DeX automatically. I use mine daily and the experience is genuinely clean.
- USB-C Hub/Dock (desk setup): For a fixed workstation, the MiraDock USB-C Dock connects the Galaxy S8+ to an external monitor, USB keyboard, mouse, and Ethernet — everything a productivity setup needs.
- USB-C to HDMI adapter (minimalist): The 4K USB-C to HDMI adapter from Mobile-Only is the lightest option — plug into any HDMI display, add a Bluetooth keyboard and you’re in DeX mode with minimal gear.
No root required. No third-party apps. Samsung DeX is baked directly into the S8+’s firmware — the same firmware that shipped in 2017 and still works today.
Samsung DeX on the Galaxy S8+: the original big-screen DeX phone
Here’s the historical context worth knowing. Samsung announced DeX at Unpacked in March 2017, alongside both the Galaxy S8 and S8+. The pitch was simple and radical: your smartphone, plugged into a dock, becomes a full desktop computer. Windowed apps. A taskbar. Mouse and keyboard support. A proper desktop UI running on Android.
The S8+ brought one meaningful advantage to that original vision: its 6.2-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED display. When you run DeX on an external monitor, the S8+’s screen continues to function as a second screen — a trackpad, a notification panel, or even a secondary display for reference content. A bigger phone screen means more usable workspace in that secondary role.
The other advantage: the S8+’s 3,500 mAh battery (vs the S8’s 3,000 mAh). Longer sessions without anxiety over the charge level. That matters when you’re running a full working day off your phone.
Like the S8, the S8+ supports DeX over wired USB-C only — wireless DeX didn’t arrive until the Galaxy S10 in 2019. But the wired experience has always been the more reliable one anyway. I’d take a cable over wireless latency any day for serious work.
How to set up Samsung DeX on your Galaxy S8+
- Connect the Galaxy S8+ to your lapdock or dock via USB-C. On modern lapdocks, DeX activates automatically within a second or two of plugging in.
- If DeX doesn’t launch automatically: pull down the notification shade and tap the Samsung DeX notification, or go to Settings → Advanced Features → Samsung DeX.
- Set your display resolution in DeX settings to match your external screen. Most monitors will work fine at the default, but manual adjustment helps with some HDMI setups.
- Connect a Bluetooth mouse for precision. The lapdock touchpad works, but a dedicated mouse makes longer sessions significantly more comfortable.
- Open your workflow: Chrome, Gmail, Google Docs, Slack — every app opens in a resizable window in DeX mode, exactly like a desktop OS.
For Samsung’s official documentation, see the Samsung DeX support page.
What can you do with your Galaxy S8+ as a PC?
The Galaxy S8+ launched with the Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos 8895 in some regions) paired with 4GB of RAM. By 2026 standards, that’s modest but workable for focused productivity:
- Document work: Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 run cleanly in DeX windowed mode. Docs, Sheets, Slides — all fully functional.
- Email and communication: Gmail, Outlook, Slack, WhatsApp Web — responsive and solid in the DeX interface.
- Web browsing: Chrome in DeX renders desktop-layout websites correctly, handles multiple tabs, and supports extensions. This is where the S8+ shines for everyday use.
- Video calls: Zoom and Google Meet work well. The S8+’s front camera delivers clean video call quality.
- Remote work: Termux for SSH sessions, RDP clients for Windows remote desktops — the S8+ handles both cleanly.
- Media and streaming: YouTube, Netflix, Plex — all render properly on an external display via DeX.
Where you’ll hit limits: heavy browser sessions with 10+ tabs, memory-intensive apps running simultaneously, or anything that needs sustained computational power. 4GB of RAM is tight for aggressive multitasking in 2026. For a focused session — a few apps at a time — it holds up.
Is the Galaxy S8+ still worth using with Samsung DeX in 2026?
I want to be straightforward about this. The Galaxy S8+ has:
- Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895
- 4GB RAM
- 6.2″ QHD+ Super AMOLED display — still beautiful
- Android 9 Pie (final official OS update)
- 3,500 mAh battery
The hardware is dated but the DeX experience is still there. The main real-world concern in 2026 isn’t performance — it’s software support. Samsung stopped security updates for the Galaxy S8+ with Android 9 Pie. For sensitive financial or business work, that matters. For personal use, creative work, education, or as an introduction to mobile-only computing on a budget, it’s still a capable machine.
The S8+ also has something most new phones lack: it’s a piece of history. The phone that, alongside the S8, proved that your smartphone could sit on a desk and do real work. That’s not nothing.
If you want to build a full workstation setup around it, my Samsung DeX lapdock setup guide covers every step — accessories, configuration, and day-to-day workflow.
Best accessories for the Galaxy S8+ desktop setup
To get the most from the Galaxy S8+ as a mobile PC, here’s what I’d pair it with from the Mobile-Only store:
- NexDock Lapdock — 14″ screen, built-in keyboard and touchpad, extra battery. Plugs into the S8+’s USB-C and DeX launches instantly. The best single-device solution for mobile-only computing.
- MiraDock USB-C Dock — Connects the S8+ to a monitor, USB peripherals, and Ethernet in one hub. Perfect for a desk setup at home or in an office.
- Phoneside Phone Holder — Keeps the S8+ visible and accessible while it runs your DeX session — great for using the phone as a secondary screen.
Browse the full range at Mobile-Only.com — everything for a Samsung DeX workstation in one place.
FAQ — Samsung Galaxy S8+ and Samsung DeX
Does the Samsung Galaxy S8+ support Samsung DeX?
Yes. The Galaxy S8+ launched with Samsung DeX in April 2017 alongside the Galaxy S8. It fully supports DeX over USB-C today.
Is the S8+ better than the S8 for Samsung DeX?
For most users, yes. The S8+ has a larger 6.2″ display that works better as a secondary screen during DeX sessions, and its 3,500 mAh battery lasts longer. Same DeX feature set, more practical hardware.
Does the Galaxy S8+ support wireless DeX?
No. Wireless DeX requires the Galaxy S10 or newer. The S8+ supports DeX over wired USB-C only — via lapdock, dock, or HDMI adapter.
Can I use a modern lapdock with the Galaxy S8+?
Yes. Modern USB-C lapdocks that support DisplayPort Alt Mode work with the S8+. The NexDock and MiraDock available at Mobile-Only are both compatible.
What’s the difference between the DeX Station and a modern lapdock for the S8+?
The original DeX Station (2017) was a dedicated dock that connected the S8+ to a monitor via HDMI and added USB-A ports for keyboard and mouse. Modern lapdocks are all-in-one: screen, keyboard, trackpad, and extra battery — more portable and more versatile — the better choice in 2026.
The Galaxy S8+ was part of the moment Samsung changed what a smartphone could be. Plugging it into a lapdock today and running a full work session — windowed apps, taskbar, proper keyboard — still feels like something. The hardware is older, but the idea behind it is as relevant as ever. Your phone is already a computer. You just need the right accessories to unlock it.
Take care,
Yanis@MiraLab
