The real Galaxy S26 Ultra upgrade I want is long overdue — and it has nothing to do with AI

After spending nearly a year with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung faces a significant challenge in convincing me (and everyone else) that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the phone to beat in 2026. I’ve put the S25 Ultra to the test against other best phone contenders on the market, but there’s one specific feature Samsung desperately needs to update for its next flagship. And it has nothing to do with Galaxy AI.

What’s frustrating is that it should be an easy update, yet it's one the company has neglected for several generations. I’m referring to Samsung DeX, the desktop-like experience that activates whenever a Galaxy flagship is connected to an external display.

Having tested the Galaxy S23 Ultra, S24 Ultra, and S25 Ultra, I've found the DeX experience has remained essentially stagnant. This year is more crucial than ever, especially as more competitors begin to introduce their own desktop interfaces.

More attractive than the Galaxy Z TriFold

I can’t deny that a part of me is drawn to the Galaxy Z TriFold, despite its hefty $2,900 price tag. That’s because Samsung’s phone-meets-tablet foldable offers a dedicated version of Samsung DeX — the same experience my colleague Tony Polanco tested with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

This version differs significantly from the current implementation on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, as it adds support for multiple virtual desktops, more intuitive window management, and improved screen extension. It makes juggling multiple apps much easier because this revamped Samsung DeX can run up to five apps in a single workspace, with even better multitasking capabilities when utilizing additional virtual desktops.

Given that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will likely be priced much lower, equipping it with this updated Samsung DeX experience would significantly boost its value. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left my laptop at home and relied solely on Samsung DeX to get me through the workday.

Smart glasses: the perfect Galaxy S26 Ultra complement

To access DeX on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I have to connect to a monitor — either wired or wireless. However, when I’m out of the office, I can't exactly lug a desktop monitor into a coffee shop. That’s where the best smart glasses come in handy; they are far more practical than carrying around a portable monitor.

For example, I’ve paired my Viture Pro XR and Xreal Air 2 Pro smart glasses with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy S25 Ultra. This setup effectively places a massive virtual monitor in front of me, no matter where I am. While these glasses still require a physical connection to the S25 Ultra’s USB-C port, I’m hopeful that advancements this year will finally allow for a completely wireless solution.

Since Samsung DeX already supports Miracast for wireless connectivity, I’m optimistic that more smart glasses in the future will adopt this standard. I already love watching movies and shows on my glasses, but the ability to use Samsung DeX wirelessly anywhere with the Galaxy S26 Ultra would be a true game-changer.

Competition is driving the need for change

Ultimately, the reason the Galaxy S26 Ultra needs this upgrade is the mounting competition. Google has been collaborating with Samsung on its Android 16 desktop mode, which is already accessible on the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

While it’s not quite a finished product based on my testing, it proves that more manufacturers are finally embracing desktop-like experiences. Google isn't the only one challenging Samsung, as Motorola’s Smart Connect feature on the Razr Ultra (2025) is another robust solution that functions in a very similar way.

Samsung cannot afford to wait another year. The Galaxy S26 Ultra would receive a tremendous boost from a revamped DeX experience. I’m particularly excited by the rumors of a privacy screen feature that blocks out the phone’s display — a perfect pairing for DeX. I could be reading sensitive information on the S26 Ultra’s screen, while simultaneously typing in a virtual window on an external display.

More than anything, I want this upgrade because it could finally allow me to lighten my daily carry for work.

Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds.

More from Tom's Guide

• Apple’s second foldable could be a flip phone — and that’s exactly the kind of foldable iPhone I’d buy
• These leaked Galaxy S26 Ultra renders show Samsung isn't afraid to try and sell you features it's actively trying to get rid of
• Your iPhone has a hidden on-screen home button — here’s how it works