Samsung DeX Station, Desktop Experience for Samsung Galaxy Note8 , Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, [Charger & Cable not Included] (International Version No Warranty)

I bought this DeX Station instead of DeX Pad, because of the available ethernet connection on the Station. The ethernet option of the phone (in Connections) lights up when the ethernet port on the Station is connected, so you can make use of this rather than WiFi or cell system if you want. Turns out it is a 10/100 port on the Station, not a gigabit port. But this isn't a big deal to me. Does in fact work perfectly through ethernet just limited to that speed. If your WiFi speed is faster just disable ethernet in Connections and go with WiFi for the phone, which is still an option.I knew in advance that there would be no way the large S21 Ultra (made even larger with the Otterbox Defender Pro case it's in) could possibly fit in the Station's cradle in order to mate with the USB-C prong. So I separately bought a Stouchi 1.5ft USB-C male-to-female extension cable, which allows the phone to simply lie flat on the desk while connected to the Station through the extension cable.Also, because the particular DeX station product I bought comes all by itself (hence its lower price), I also had to separately buy a USB-C charger, which plugs into the USB-C/PD port of the Station (in order to deliver power to the phone which is itself connected to the USB-C prong of the Station). I bought a super-fast charging 25W charger that was compatible with the S21 Ultra.I had my own HDMI cable (premium certified for 4K HDR), so I didn't need to purchase one.But otherwise, the Station works amazing!I had tried to use my own TOTU 13-in-1 USB-C mini-dock (which has all of the same connectors as the Station, plus many more) but display under DeX was limited to 1920x1080p 60hz no matter whether using 1080p monitor/TV or even 4K monitor/TV. Turns out you need to SPECIFICALLY USE only Samsung DeX Station or DeX Pad if you want to get 2560x1440 60hz desktop while in DeX mode, using either a 2560x1440 monitor or 4K monitor/TV. Can't be done using 3rd-party mini-docks. MUST USE SAMSUNG STATION OR PAD for 2560x1440.Otherwise, all other external peripherals and software features of DeX are available through ANY min-dock, including my TOTU. In other words you can connect a USB mouse and USB keyboard (using the two USB-A 2.0 ports), to make your human input just like using your computer. I even used my IBM PS/2 keyboard which goes through an Adesso PS/2-to-USB adapter and it worked perfectly.I did have a problem using my own Lenovo wireless laser mouse, whose receiver I plugged into a USB-A port. Didn't seem to work hardly at all. Totally useless. I then connected a MS wired USB mouse, and it worked perfectly! Perhaps a Logitech wireless mouse/receiver would work better. YMMV. I don't mind using the wired mouse which worked 100% fine for me with DeX Station.Note that mouse cursor speed and primary mouse button is controllable through the phone's Settings -> General management -> mouse and trackpad. Similarly you can configure the keyboard here as well, through -> physical keyboard.Note that the DeX Station also supports "Phone mode", in addition to "DeX mode", for utilizing the same externally connected peripherals. In other words you can operate the phone normally, but with the improvements offered by all four externally connected peripherals (ethernet, mouse, keyboard, display), simply by connecting everything up to the Station and NOT using DeX. You simply toggle back and forth between DeX mode or Phone mode through Settings -> Advanced features -> DeX mode of the phone. Alternatively you can also make use of Quick Settings to get to the DeX toggle mode option, by pulling down the notification bar of the phone (to get the short Quick Settings buttons), and then pulling it down a second time (to get the full settings buttons, first page), and then swiping left (to get the second page settings buttons which includes DeX).Not every app can run in DeX mode, which is why you sometimes NEED to go back to Phone mode. For example the Messages app (I use Verizon Message+) cannot run in DeX mode but MUST run in Phone mode. I tried several other of my own 3rd-party apps and again, just because of their nature, were unable to run in DeX desktop mode but instead required Phone mode. Nevertheless the Station still facilitates all of the niceness of having a mouse and keyboard available to do input, while also seeing the "mirror" of the phone screen maximized vertically on the external monitor/TV display in order to use the full vertical height of the external display screen.What is remarkable about DeX and apps that are fully compatible with it is that you can resize and relocate the app windows (or even maximize them to run full-screen if you want). You can pull edges and corners just like you can with program windows on your computer. And while apps normally open by default into what appears to a be a size and portrait-mode shape of the phone, you can try to switch them to DeX mode (using controls on the DeX-presented program window) in order to resize as you want. There is even the ability to "try" this, even if technically the app wasn't actually written to support DeX mode. And it turns out most apps actully WILL run perfectly in DeX mode!Note that the phone's screen will go dark after the normal screen timeout value. But the "mirror" of the phone screen (when running through the Station in Phone mode) or the fullscreen DeX desktop (when running through the Station in DeX mode) will always remain on. It should be mentioned that the "mirror" of the phone screen (in Phone mode) is presented in maximum resolution of your monitor/TV. So if you are using a 4K monitor/TV the phone mirror displayed (vertically maximized) on your screen will also be 4K. This is different than how the DeX fullscreen desktop appears, which utilizes your entire monitor/TV at up to 2560x1440p.All in all, with for my situation the Station enabling 2560x1440p for the DeX desktop presentation, operating your Samsung phone in DeX mode is really a stunning experience. As advertised, it truly is like operating your computer. Same human external input/output peripherals, same very Windows-like desktop experience. Same taskbar for navigation between multiple apps running in multiple open windows on the desktop, same ability to minimize/restore running program windows to/from the taskbar, etc.And with the DeX-provided ability to resize/relocate app windows, the familiar mouse/keyboard actions you would do for programs running on your computer you can just intuitively do with the same (or other) apps on your phone! Assuming you are traveling with the same full set of external peripherals (plus external display/monitor/TV which you will need with DeX that you really don't need with a laptop) that you would normally use with a laptop, and assuming all software that you need has a mobile phone Android version, the Station really does allow you to make use of your phone as if it truly were your computer. You'll have to also carry the Station with you, but it's "tiny" in comparison to a laptop.Most important bottom line: the DeX Station works perfectly. And it (as well as DeX Pad) supports up to 2560x1440p on the external display, which is not available with any other brand USB-C mini-dock even if the identical ports are available on that other mini-dock. Otherwise, at least my TOTU mini-dock worked almost perfectly, being limited only to a 1920x1080p DeX desktop.EDIT 1: need to add that 2560x1440 is only available on a monitor or TV that actually supports that VESA resolution. I have an Eizo CG318-4K monitor that does support 2560x1440, so DeX through the Station offers that output resolution. However when I connect to my LG OLED C9 (which is a native 4K HDTV that does not support 2560x1440 but does support 3540x2160 which the Station/DeX does not), the highest resolution available is 1920x1080p. Bottom line: you CAN get 2560x1440p, if your display device supports it. Otherwise you'll only get 1920x1080p.EDIT 2: While many apps can run in DeX mode, as I said earlier not all can. And as it turns out the native Netflix and Hulu apps DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY in DeX mode. But other streaming apps, like Prime Video and PBS both DO OPERATE PROPERLY in DeX mode. So if streaming movies from phone to your TV is your goal, your best bet is just NOT to use DeX mode, but simply run in Phone mode. This way the HDMI cabling from your phone through the Station and then on out to your TV will literally just mirror your phone's playing of a Netflix or Hulu or whatever movie, onto your HDTV, which is really all you cared about in the first place.

I got this dock specifically to use at work, as it is more convenient to do some things on a computer than on a cell phone, but I don't always want to use the work computer (say, if I'm logging into personal accounts). This dock works fantastically. My Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra works extremely well in DeX mode, and this facilitates it perfectly. It should it's a first-party accessory specifically designed for this purpose. My only gripe is that I can't dock my phone while it's in a case, but there is an adapter I will be ordering that raises the connector just a little bit, which will solve this issue. Kind of a bummer that the dock doesn't include such an adapter from the factory, but that's Samsung for you. I certainly recommend this for anyone that wants the extra utility of a desktop that you can take with you more easily than a laptop.

DO NOT purchase this item. It is a complete rip off. It does not work as a Dex Station and when I returned it for a refund they credited me $0.38 ... super disappointed and angry at the rediculous refund and useless technology.

The product is very nicely designed, and was very easy to set up. The product is a bit expensive, though I personally was able to justify the price. If you are wondering how it functions, I think it is very comparable to a Chromebook, with basic web browsing and productivity programs supported. It was very cool to combine the desktop and phone experience, being able to browse the web in desktop mode, while also being able to respond to texts, view Snapchats, and use many other phone apps with a traditional mouse and keyboard. I think the market for this product may be limited, and it is definitely no replacement tona Windows 10 computer. But nevertheless a very neat product.

I heard about this accessory before the phone came out & it's what sold me on the Samsung S8 phone. I can watch my directv app thru my phone on an hdmi tv wherever I travel with unlimited AT&T data or WiFi coverage. The Netflix has to be modified to view full screen. I never found out if the S8 active would work with this? I prefer the larger battery life and flat screen of S8 active but there is no info on if it's compatible. Both S8 & S8+ work well in the dock station. What I don't like is that an extended battery case doesn't work thru the phone while in the dock. I found one that does fit but to have DeX work it has to be bare in the dock. It feels like using a desk top. Blue tooth headsets and connected keyboards and a mouse make everything easy to use. This made my entertainment needs as I don't need a WiFi or cable/satellite service any longer. It helped cut the costs by cutting cords. Using the DeX apps will require a moderate level of app & tech knowledge for use & tweaks. Overall 4 stars based on what was stated.

This is a really awesome device. I've been using it all day and love it. At first it didn't work and I was ready to return it. Luckily I tried another cord (think it was original Note8 cord) and it finally worked. I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn't so picky about a cord.

I got this at a time when my desktop pc was dead and it does what it says on the tin. It is not a replacement to be sure but does feel useful (and I suppose powerful) enough to be a handy extra. I do find myself docking the phone instead of powering up the laptop around the house. Most usage has been Netflix, Word and Gmail but having not tried any games any comment there would be disingenuous. It just works on all counts, no weird lag/glitches present.If you do get it, do yourself a favour and get a cordless mouse and keyboard.