Yes — the Samsung Galaxy S8 fully supports Samsung DeX, the desktop mode that turns your phone into a PC. In fact, the S8 was the first Samsung phone to ever ship with DeX, back in 2017. Connect it to a compatible lapdock or monitor via USB-C and you get a full desktop interface — windowed apps, taskbar, keyboard and mouse support — on a phone that still runs Android today. Here’s exactly how to set it up.
If you still own a Galaxy S8, or you picked one up second-hand, you’re holding a piece of mobile computing history. And yes — it still runs Samsung DeX today.
What you need to turn your Galaxy S8 into a PC
The Samsung Galaxy S8 was built around the original DeX Station — Samsung’s dedicated puck-shaped dock that launched alongside the phone. But in 2026, you have more modern and versatile options:
- Lapdock (recommended for portability): Pair the Galaxy S8 with a USB-C lapdock and you get a shell laptop powered entirely by your phone. The NexDock Lapdock connects to the Galaxy S8’s USB-C port and activates Samsung DeX automatically — keyboard, trackpad, screen, and extra battery all in one.
- USB-C Dock (for desk setups): The MiraDock USB-C Dock connects the Galaxy S8 to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse with 4K output support. Clean, minimal, effective.
- USB-C to HDMI adapter (minimalist option): The 4K USB-C to HDMI adapter at Mobile-Only works with the Galaxy S8 for a lightweight external display setup. Add a Bluetooth keyboard and you’re set.
The Galaxy S8 supports Samsung DeX natively — no root, no third-party tools, no workarounds. It was literally the phone Samsung built DeX for.
Samsung DeX on the Galaxy S8: where it all started
Here’s the history that’s worth knowing. Samsung announced DeX alongside the Galaxy S8 at Unpacked in March 2017. Before that moment, no consumer Android phone had ever offered a proper desktop mode with windowed apps, a taskbar, and full mouse and keyboard support. The Galaxy S8 was the pioneer — full stop.
The original experience required the dedicated DeX Station or later the DeX Pad dock. There was no wireless DeX yet — that didn’t arrive until the Galaxy S10 two years later. But the wired experience was genuinely impressive for its time: real windowed multitasking, a desktop taskbar, clipboard sync between phone and desktop sessions, and full external display output up to 2560×1600.
In 2026, the Galaxy S8 may not be the fastest DeX phone, but it’s still a fully functional mobile workstation. It ran Samsung DeX first, and it still runs Samsung DeX now.
How to set up Samsung DeX on your Galaxy S8
Setting up DeX on the Galaxy S8 takes about two minutes:
- Connect the Galaxy S8 to your lapdock or dock via USB-C. On most modern lapdocks, Samsung DeX launches automatically the moment the cable is plugged in.
- If it doesn’t auto-launch: pull down the notification shade and tap the DeX notification, or navigate to Settings → Advanced Features → Samsung DeX.
- Adjust the display resolution in DeX settings to fit your external screen — the default is usually fine, but some monitors benefit from a manual tweak.
- Add a Bluetooth mouse for the smoothest experience. Lapdock touchpads work fine, but a dedicated wireless mouse gives you more precision for longer sessions.
- Open your apps: Chrome, Gmail, your documents suite. Everything opens in resizable windows just like a standard desktop OS.
For the official Samsung documentation, see Samsung’s 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 depending on your region) — a chipset that was top-of-the-line in 2017. By 2026 standards it’s modest, but for everyday work it holds its own:
- Office work: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides — all run cleanly in DeX windowed mode. Microsoft 365 works too.
- Email and communication: Gmail, Outlook, Slack, WhatsApp Web — responsive and fully usable.
- Web browsing: Chrome in DeX mode is solid. Multiple tabs, extensions, desktop-class layout on websites.
- Light coding: Termux combined with a proper keyboard is workable for scripting, SSH sessions, and remote development.
- Video calls: Zoom and Google Meet run in DeX. The Galaxy S8’s front camera handles calls cleanly.
- Media and streaming: YouTube, Netflix, Plex — all work fine on an external screen via DeX.
Where you’ll feel the age: heavy multitasking with a dozen browser tabs open, video editing, or memory-intensive apps. For focused work sessions — a few apps at a time — the Galaxy S8 is still capable.
Is the Galaxy S8 still worth using with Samsung DeX in 2026?
Let me be straight with you about what you’re working with. The Samsung Galaxy S8 has:
- Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895
- 4GB RAM
- 5.8″ QHD+ Super AMOLED display
- Android 9 Pie (last official OS update)
4GB of RAM in DeX is sufficient for 4–6 apps running simultaneously. You’ll notice limits with heavy browser sessions or background services. For focused productivity — documents, email, a few open apps — it handles the load without issue.
The more significant concern in 2026 is software: Samsung ended official security updates for the Galaxy S8 years ago, with Android 9 as the final version. If you’re doing sensitive financial or business work, keep that in mind. For personal use, education, or as a budget entry point into mobile-only computing, the Galaxy S8 remains a capable DeX machine.
It’s also genuinely satisfying to use — there’s something poetic about running a full desktop session on the phone that invented the concept. If you want to build a complete mobile workstation around it, my Samsung DeX lapdock setup guide walks through everything you need.
Best accessories for the Galaxy S8 desktop setup
To get the most out of your Samsung Galaxy S8 as a PC, here’s what I recommend from the Mobile-Only store:
- NexDock Lapdock — The best all-in-one lapdock for Samsung DeX. Built-in keyboard, touchpad, 14″ screen, and extra battery in a slim shell. Plugs straight into the Galaxy S8’s USB-C and DeX launches instantly.
- MiraDock USB-C Dock — Perfect for desk setups. Connects the Galaxy S8 to an external monitor, USB peripherals, and Ethernet in one tidy hub.
- Phoneside Phone Holder — Keep the Galaxy S8 mounted and visible while it runs the DeX session. Works with any lapdock or monitor setup.
Browse the full range of Samsung DeX accessories at Mobile-Only. Everything you need for a mobile-only workstation in one place.
FAQ — Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung DeX
Does the Samsung Galaxy S8 still support Samsung DeX?
Yes. The Galaxy S8 was the first Samsung DeX device and still runs DeX today. Connect it to a compatible lapdock or dock via USB-C and DeX launches automatically.
Is wireless DeX available on the Galaxy S8?
No. Wireless DeX requires the Galaxy S10 or newer. The Galaxy S8 supports DeX over wired USB-C only — to a lapdock, dock, or HDMI adapter.
Can I use any USB-C dock with the Galaxy S8 for DeX?
Most USB-C docks that support DisplayPort Alt Mode will trigger DeX. The original Samsung DeX Station and DeX Pad work, as do modern lapdocks like the NexDock and the USB-C hubs available at Mobile-Only.
Is the Galaxy S8 too old to be useful as a PC in 2026?
For basic productivity — documents, email, web, video calls — no, it’s not too old. For security-sensitive work, the lack of OS updates since Android 9 is a genuine limitation. Know what you’re working with and use it accordingly.
What was the original Samsung DeX Station for the Galaxy S8?
The DeX Station was a puck-shaped dock that held the Galaxy S8 upright, provided active cooling, and connected to a monitor, USB keyboard, and mouse via HDMI and USB-A ports. It also included a USB-C passthrough for charging. A clever piece of hardware that’s mostly been replaced by lapdocks and universal USB-C hubs today.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 started the revolution. It was the first phone that let you sit down at a desk, plug in, and work like you were at a full computer — all from a device that fits in your pocket. That idea hasn’t aged a day, even if the hardware has.
Take care,
Yanis@MiraLab
