If you are hesitating between Samsung DeX And with Motorola's Ready For/Smart Connect desktop app designed to turn your phone into a kind of PC, you're not alone. These two apps, on paper, seem to do the same thing: connect your phone to a large screen and work (or play) in a classic desktop environment. But when you scratch the surface, the differences are enormous.
Over the past few years, analyses, opinions from very advanced users, and even comparisons with XR glasses have been published that make it quite clear that, as things stand, Samsung has an advantage in maturity, stability, and connectivity optionsThat doesn't mean Motorola does a bad job or that it doesn't have some very interesting points, but it is advisable to read the fine print carefully before spending your money.
What exactly are Samsung DeX and Motorola Desktop (Ready For / Smart Connect)?
Both solutions stem from the same idea: using the smartphone as the brain of a desktop computerconnected to an external screen (monitor or television), a keyboard, and a mouse. In other words, you plug in your phone, a PC type interfaceAnd you can have multiple windows, move the cursor, type comfortably, and take advantage of Android apps in full-size format.
Samsung started its DeX venture in 2017, and since then has been refining the system into a fairly solid platform. Motorola, for its part, is no stranger to thisAbout a decade ago, Motorola attempted something similar with the Motorola Atrix, which had its own desktop environment, although that came to nothing and it was only recently that they revived the idea with Ready For, now integrated within Motorola Smart Connect.
In both cases, the basic flow is the same: You connect your mobile phone to a large screen.You select desktop mode and use a physical keyboard and mouse (or the phone itself as a trackpad) to move around an environment reminiscent of Windows, with a taskbar, notification tray, and resizable windows.
Availability of Samsung DeX and Motorola Ready For / Smart Connect
One of the points where the difference in route is most noticeable is in the number of devices compatible with each systemHaving been in the market longer, Samsung has been extending DeX to a good number of mobile phones and tablets, while Motorola still has a much shorter list.
In the case of Samsung, DeX has been available for years in the high-end ranges and some of the mid-ranges. Models such as the Galaxy S8, S9, S10, S20, S21 and the Note 8, 9, 10 and 20 They have supported desktop mode to varying degrees, with some differences depending on the generation (for example, the early S8 models required a specific dock to activate it). The same is true for tablets: the Galaxy Tab S4, S5e, S6, S7, and later models include or have included DeX, with generally very stable performance.
At Motorola, the situation is more limited. Ready For mode was launched relatively recently, and although the company has been integrating it into several models, The list of compatible phones remains much smallerFurthermore, there is an additional complication: some newer models from the brand no longer include wired desktop support because they do away with DisplayPort Alt-Mode, so they are left only with the wireless experience via Miracast and integration with Windows through Smart Connect.
This has an important consequence in the medium term: Motorola models that currently support wired desktop connections have a maximum capacity of Android 16And all indications are that, when Android 17 arrives, no device from the brand will support a native wired desktop. If you want to use this feature extensively, it's advisable to carefully review the technical specifications and the update schedule.
Connection methods: wired, wireless, and PC
Beyond which phones are compatible, the biggest practical difference between DeX and Ready For lies in the options that allow you to connect to external displays and computersHere, Samsung has gone a step ahead in variety and flexibility.
With DeX you can use three main scenarios. First, the wired connectionvia USB-C with DisplayPort Alt-Mode to a compatible monitor or TV, or through a hub or dock that allows you to add additional USB ports for keyboard, mouse, storage, etc. Second, the wireless connection to televisions or screens that support Miracast or similar technologies, so all you need to be on the same Wi-Fi network is to connect. And third, the Windows integration via the DeX PC app, which allowed opening the DeX environment as a window within Windows, using the computer's own keyboard and mouse.
At Motorola, Ready For (now part of Smart Connect) has evolved similarly, but with important differences. Originally, the focus was on the HDMI to USB-C cable connectionThe phone itself came with a compatible cable in the box, and the use of hubs or docks to add peripherals was encouraged. Later, the brand added Miracast wireless support and a fairly robust integration with Windows, which is precisely one of the aspects that Motorola continues to promote today, while Samsung has been gradually reducing the prominence of the DeX client for Windows.
The problem is that, in Motorola's current range, Some models have already lost wired desktop support. because they don't include DisplayPort Alt-Mode on USB-C. This forces you to use wireless mode or a PC connection, which limits the possibilities in environments where Wi-Fi is unstable or where you want to connect directly to a portable monitor, a NexDock, or XR glasses via cable.
Motorola Desktop user experience with Ready For / Smart Connect
Motorola's proposal has a rather distinctive personality: when you connect the phone to an external screen, a startup “hub” with multiple modes Designed for different uses. It's a simple but practical welcome screen, where the main applications are grouped by category.
Four options stand out in that hub. On one hand, you have the mode TVwhich brings together your video and streaming apps (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.) in a living room-style interface so you can sit back and watch content without any hassle. Then there's the mode Gameswhich acts as a launcher for your installed games and is very convenient if you connect an Xbox controller or other compatible gamepad, because it allows you to navigate without a keyboard or mouse. There is also a mode focused on communications and chatwhich groups together video calling and messaging apps. And finally, the one that most people actually end up using: the mobile desktop mode, which is the PC-like environment with windows.
This approach has its charm: for leisure it is very convenient to go directly into TV or Games mode and have everything organized. The problem arises when all you want to do is work. And the hub gets in the way like an extra screen that you have to navigate before reaching the desktop. Some users love that "smart TV" feature, while others find it a hindrance if their primary use is for productivity.
Once inside the desktop, Ready For's interface resembles a mix between an Android tablet and Windows. The application launcher is located on the left side.On the right, there's a block of icons for accessing notifications, quick settings, and phone controls. Windows can be resized and moved quite smoothly, and most apps adapt well to switching between windowed and full-screen modes.
However, as is also the case in DeX, Not all Android apps are designed to work in a desktop environment.And some apps struggle to expand correctly or malfunction when resizing. These limitations are more inherent to the apps themselves than to the Motorola system, but they are noticeable in everyday use: certain video apps or games perform better in full-screen mode, for example.
One positive point is that, even with Ready For active, You can continue using the phone screen normallyIn other words, you can have some apps open on the external screen's home screen and different apps running on your phone at the same time. The only thing the system doesn't allow is having the exact same app open in both places simultaneously: if you open YouTube on the home screen and it's already running on your phone, it will close on one of them.
Samsung DeX: How does Samsung's desktop feel?
Samsung, on the other hand, has opted for a more direct and less guided approach. By connecting the phone to a compatible display, DeX almost always boots directly into the classic desktop.without going through a previous hub with TV or gaming modes. The idea is that the user already knows what they want to do and doesn't need intermediate layers.
DeX's interface is clearly inspired by a traditional desktop. You have a Bottom bar with icons for pinned apps, system tray, and shortcuts to notifications and quick settingsEverything is quite condensed and accessible. For many users, this design feels somewhat cleaner and more streamlined than Motorola's, although the differences are more aesthetic and organizational than functional.
Regarding control, DeX also allows the use of phone screen as a trackpad and virtual keyboardThis is very useful if you don't have external peripherals on hand, but the recommendation — just like in Ready For — is to connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse or via a USB dock to be able to work comfortably for hours.
The biggest drawback that usually appears with DeX has to do with apps that don't play well with it. resizable window modeSome apps insist on opening in mobile or portrait orientation, and when you force them to switch to windowed or full-screen mode, they exhibit scaling errors. To minimize this problem, DeX usually displays a warning asking if you want to restart the app in windowed or full-screen mode, which helps resolve the issue, although it can disrupt the workflow if it happens frequently.
As with Motorola, with DeX it is possible have different apps open on the mobile device and on the external desktopHowever, you can't duplicate the same application on both devices simultaneously. The behavior in this regard is very similar: if you try to launch an app on the desktop that's already open on the mobile device, it will close on one of them to avoid conflicts.
XR headset usage: DeX vs. Motorola in immersive environments
One use case that has recently gained prominence is that of Connect your phone to XR glasses (like the Viture Pro) to create a giant virtual screen for working, playing games, or watching movies. There are some pretty clear user reviews here from people who have thoroughly tested both systems... and the results are quite different.
In a real-world experiment with a Samsung Galaxy Fold 6 and a Motorola Edge+ 2023, both connected to XR glasses, the conclusion was clear: DeX offered a much more polished and consistent experienceWith the Fold 6, desktop mode worked very well with the glasses, although the phone's battery drained quickly (around 20% per hour watching movies via WiFi), which was to be expected given that it was powering the external screen, processor, and connectivity to the maximum.
The attempt to replace the Fold with a Motorola to "save" battery life on the main phone ran into several obstacles. For starters, Ready For didn't automatically launch when the glasses were connected; instead You had to manually select the mode (TV, Games, Desktop) From your mobile phone, by looking under the glasses and using the touchscreen. DeX, on the other hand, can be configured to go directly to the desktop when it detects the external screen, making the process much more convenient.
Another serious problem is that, in the case of Motorola, You can't turn off the phone screen while wearing the glasses cleanly. When you press the power button, the lock screen appears directly on the glasses' projection, and although there's a workaround to reduce the screen timeout to one minute and disable "wake with motion," the solution becomes a disaster: when the phone's screen turns off, the signal to the glasses cuts out and comes back several times, causing intermittent black screens and, even worse, bursts of audio at maximum volume from the phone's speaker before reconnecting to the glasses' speakers.
This behavior contrasts with that of Samsung, where DeX allows you to turn off your phone's screen with a simple blink during playback. And without these constant signal drops or volume spikes. Furthermore, with tools like Good Lock and the MultiStar module (“I Love Samsung DeX”), you can force a 120Hz refresh rate when the phone's screen is off, further improving smoothness if the external display supports it.
Overall, for use with XR glasses, the verdict from advanced users is clear: Samsung wins hands down in stability, power control, and screen managementMotorola has cool features like the Air Mouse or the mode hub, but as of today it doesn't offer such a well-rounded experience in this specific scenario.
Performance, battery life, and smoothness: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz
In both DeX and Ready For, raw performance depends primarily on the phone's processor, but there are differences in how they manage the refresh frequency and consumptionOn Motorola, some models like the Edge+ 2023 can natively run at 120Hz, although when selecting the external desktop resolution, the first option that usually appears is 60 HzTo activate 120 Hz in desktop mode, you have to delve into the settings while using Ready For, which complicates the process a bit.
On Samsung, DeX usually starts at 60 Hz, but with the right tools it's possible force 120 Hz when the mobile screen is offThis is especially appealing if you use monitors or XR glasses capable of displaying that refresh rate. In practice, the extra smoothness is very noticeable when moving the mouse, swiping windows, and scrolling through long documents, although battery life also increases.
Regarding battery drain, intensive use cases (such as streaming movies with XR glasses) show similar figures: around 20% battery charge per hour This isn't uncommon in recent high-end phones, especially when combined with Wi-Fi, high brightness, and a demanding processor. That's why many users end up using power banks or "secondary" phones dedicated solely to desktop or XR use, to avoid putting too much strain on their primary smartphone.
Beyond the refresh rate, the overall fluidity of the desktop interfaces on both systems is good. without noticeable lag When typing or playing with a controller, both DeX and Ready For perform well in compatible games, with little to no input latency when using physical controls, which is key to ensuring a frustrating experience.
Trackpad, Air Mouse and ergonomics problems
Pointer control is another area where curious differences appear. In Motorola, the The virtual trackpad works quite well overall.But what's truly remarkable is Air Mouse mode: you can hold the phone in the air and move it like a Wii remote, dragging the cursor on the external screen. The precision and sensitivity are excellent, which is a practical advantage in situations like flying: you can control the cursor without moving your hand on a surface, avoiding accidental bumps to the person sitting next to you.
However, that same sensitivity works against you when navigating through menus with many icons or long lists of appsMoving the cursor with air gestures and selecting the correct icon becomes more difficult, and tapping the trackpad while holding the phone as a controller isn't as comfortable as using it flat and resting on its surface. Furthermore, on Motorola's hub screen, navigating to the second row of apps isn't always as smooth as one might expect, adding to the frustration.
At Samsung, the approach is more classic: The on-screen trackpad is simple and effective.While it lacks the flashy modes of the Air Mouse, it offers consistent responsiveness. When working for several hours at a desk, most users end up using a Bluetooth or wired mouse, thus minimizing these differences. However, if you rely on your phone as your sole pointing device, these nuances matter.
Added to this is an ergonomics problem specific to some Motorola models, such as the Edge+ 2023, with highly curved screen edges that register false touches Just by holding the phone, accidental touches can occur. Samsung went through this phase years ago and corrected many of these accidental touches via software, in addition to reducing the degree of curvature in later models. Motorola's handling of these false touches seems less refined, which complicates its use as a trackpad or controller when not in a case.
Audio management, Bluetooth, and streaming quality
The audio component is one of the clearest Achilles' heels of the Motorola desktop, according to the experience of advanced users. In several cases, it has been observed that when connecting Bluetooth headphones like the Sony Inzone BudsThe system does not automatically switch the audio output from the phone's speakers to the headphones when they are removed from the case.
In practice, this means you start by watching Netflix or YouTube and, when you turn on the headphones, The sound continues to come out of the mobile phone's speaker. Unless you manually go into settings and change the output device. Sometimes, you also have to specifically activate "LE Audio" mode in the Bluetooth settings of the headset itself for everything to work correctly, and even then, pairing errors have been reported that require forgetting the device and pairing it again within minutes.
At Samsung, audio management is much closer to what is expected today: If you turn on a paired Bluetooth headset or speaker, the system usually switches automatically. to that device, without having to wrestle with menus. When in DeX mode, the output switch is quite smooth, whether the audio is going to an external screen or playing through the phone itself.
Regarding image quality when streaming, the differences are also noticeable. Although it's normal to see some banding or color bands in dark scenes Due to video compression, on Motorola it appears more pronounced than on Samsung under the same conditions, resulting in a somewhat worse experience when watching movies or series with many shadows or smooth gradients.
When all these factors are combined—audio that doesn't switch well, image banding, screen reconnections when the XR glasses turn off—the overall perception is that the Samsung ecosystem It's better sealed and tuned for intensive multimedia consumptionMotorola, on the other hand, requires more adjustments and tolerance for minor faults if it is to be used as a primary entertainment center.
Given this whole scenario, the picture that emerges is quite clear: Samsung DeX offers a more mature, versatile and refined platformWith better wired and wireless connection management, a long-standing integration with Windows (although the application is no longer the primary focus), smoother performance with XR glasses, and a more polished audio and interface, Motorola, with Ready For/Smart Connect, offers interesting features like the mode hub, Air Mouse, and included cable. However, it's more limited in the number of compatible devices, wired connection options in its newer models, and, above all, in refining everyday details. If your absolute priority is a stable and seamless desktop experience, opting for a Samsung with well-supported DeX remains the safest choice, while Motorola might be a better fit as a complementary solution for entertainment and occasional use, provided you're willing to live with its quirks.
