Your mobile phone is capable of being your next computer. And the company that is betting best on this idea is Samsung, which already allows you use Linux on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 using your Linux on DeX system.
Your mobile will be your PC and Samsung is leading the way
Smartphones are authentic pocket computersA technological Swiss Army knife that allows us to do almost anything we want with virtually no limits. However, its capabilities are constantly evolving, and the truth is that, in the future, they won't just be pocket computers, but fully-fledged computersThe company that is best positioned to do so is Samsung, especially with the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
One of the firm's most notable innovations was the introduction of Samsung DeXDeX is a convergence solution that lets you use your mobile phone like a desktop computer. With DeX, you can connect your smartphone to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse and access your apps and apps. Android apps in a desktop environment, with resizable windows, taskbar and improved multitasking.
In its early versions, DeX relied on a specific base or dock to connect the mobile phone to the screen and peripherals. Later, Samsung refined the system to the point that, in its most advanced version, a special platform wasn't even necessary, since just connect using a USB C cable It supports video output (e.g., USB-C to HDMI) and launched this modified version of Samsung Experience (now integrated into One UI). The result more than lives up to expectations for productivity tasks, office applications, web browsing, and multimedia consumption, even if there's still room for improvement.
For many users, however, the main barrier to DeX is that it is based on Android as an operating systemWhile many applications are available, more comprehensive environments are lacking when it comes to programming or working with professional desktop tools. That's where [the solution] comes in. Linux on DeX, the Samsung project that brings a true Linux desktop to the Galaxy Note 9 and some compatible devices.
For some, the main barrier to using this function will be the operating system. If you find yourself on that side, perhaps what interests you is to install a complete desktop operating system directly on your mobile phone. For example, Linux, which is always the best option in these cases. And it is that with the latest beta already available, the Korean firm allows you Using Linux on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is easy thanks to Linux on DeX.
What is Linux on DeX and why is it so interesting?
Linux on DeX It is a joint development by Samsung and Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) that allows you to run a full Linux desktop on a Galaxy Note 9 or a Galaxy Tab S4 when connected to Samsung DeX. Technically, it runs as just another app within DeX, but internally it launches a container with Ubuntu for ARM architectureso that the Linux system and apps work in parallel with Android without replacing it.
One of the great advantages of this solution is that it turns your mobile phone into a real native development platformCanonical worked with Samsung to adapt a version of Ubuntu (based on Ubuntu 16.04 LTS for ARM in its early iterations) that includes everything needed to program and compile directly from the phone. This allows you to not only edit text or browse, but also... program, compile and test projects in an environment very similar to what you would have on a conventional PC.
This approach is clearly developer-orientedIn fact, Linux on DeX was presented at a Samsung developer conference with the stated goal of “freeing developers from their desktops” and allowing them access to a Linux development environment similar to that of a PC, available anytime, anywhere.But, although the initial focus is on development, the presence of applications like LibreOffice, Firefox, or Chromium makes it useful for... productivity and general use tasks.
Another striking point is that Linux on DeX opens the door for the community to experiment with other Linux distributionsSamsung provides a modified Ubuntu image as the base, but since these are containers for ARM64, there has been talk of officially unsupported distributions that might run, such as lightweight versions like Lubuntu or systems designed for specific tasks. In these cases, a warning is always issued that may not work properlyBut it reinforces the idea that mobile can become a very flexible environment.
Advantages and limitations of using Linux on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9
To understand the full potential of Linux on DeX on a Galaxy Note 9, it's important to have a clear understanding of its... strengths and limitationsIt doesn't replace a powerful desktop computer in all scenarios, but it does adequately cover many real-world, everyday needs.
Among its main advantages is the possibility of having Complete IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA or Visual Studio Code compiled for ARM, as well as other environments like Eclipse. This allows the development of Android applications or web projects. directly on your mobilewithout relying on a laptop. It also integrates office tools like LibreOffice and browsers like Chromium or Firefox, so you can work with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in a way very similar to a PC.
Another key benefit is the ease of installation and configurationSpecialized media outlets that have tested the system highlight that simply installing the app, downloading the Ubuntu image from within the application, and having a fully functional Linux desktop in just a few steps is all it takes. There's no need to partition, modify the base system, or flash anything: everything runs as an additional layer on top of Android, isolated in containers.
In terms of performance, initial tests indicate that it is Pretty good for a mobile phoneThe Galaxy Note 9 has a very capable processor and, combined with sufficient RAM, can handle a desktop environment with several applications open without too much trouble. Even so, it's important to keep in mind the limitations inherent to mobile hardwareThe GPU power, memory management, and storage speed are not those of a high-end computer, so bottlenecks may be noticeable in very heavy projects.
As with any system in the testing phase, Linux on DeX may present bugs and minor errors which are being progressively refined. It has also been noted that the Ubuntu base used in the early versions was not the latest available, something that is expected to improve in a project like this as development progresses. Even with these limitations, the balance between functionality and ease of use is very appealing to advanced users who want to explore the true convergence between mobile and desktop.
How to use Linux on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 with Linux on DeX
To Using Linux on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 via Linux on DeX The truth is, you don't need to follow many steps. The process is really simple, and the company itself demonstrates it in the following. promotional video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgMHhrO8d8s
At the moment this method only works if you have the Samsung DeX beta on a Samsung Galaxy Notes 9 or a Tab S4, so the followed are:
- Have a compatible device with the operating system updated to the latest available version. It is important to ensure that you have enough free storage space to download the Ubuntu image and that your Samsung account is correctly configured.
- Download the Samsung DeX beta from APK MirrorSign up for the beta on the Linux on DeX website using your Google and Samsung accountssince both are required to access the testing program.
- Connect Samsung DeX and, when you're on the desktop version, open the app. Linux on DeXYou can do this using either a DeX base or a USB-C to HDMI cable compatible with video output, along with a monitor, keyboard and mouse.
- Through this application you will be able to download an Ubuntu image Officially adapted by Samsung and Canonical. You can also download them separately to your PC and then transfer them to your mobile device, which can be useful if your mobile connection is limited or if you prefer to manage downloads from your computer.
Once installed, you can always access Ubuntu without problems from the app Linux on DeXIt's still easy to find bugs, but they'll be ironed out little by little. This doesn't stop you from already enjoying a functional desktop version and use Linux on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to program, edit documents, browse the web, or experiment with advanced development tools.
In practice, you'll have an Ubuntu session with its graphical interface on your monitor, while the phone continues managing Android in the background. It's possible to switch between Linux applications and Android apps running in DeX, offering a very powerful combination: on the one hand, the optimized mobile apps and, on the other, the Linux free software ecosystemAll this without ceasing to use the Note 9 as a phone when you disconnect the system.
This leap by Samsung towards convergence puts the Galaxy Note 9 in a prime position for those seeking a mobile device capable of transforming into a true work machine. Thanks to DeX and Linux on DeX, the same hardware you carry in your pocket can offer you an enhanced Android desktop and a professional Linux environment, demonstrating that the concept of a “pocket computer” is becoming increasingly real.