wall charger

How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?

Everything you need to know about Samsung DeX Station.

Samsung DeX Station works with all Samsung DeX-enabled devices: Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9. You can instantly convert your phone as an Android PC (or a Linux PC if you enable Linux on DeX beta) with a DeX Station.

Although Samsung DeX Pad, Dex Station and DeX cable (for Note 9 and Tab S4) share identical DeX features, the design of these DeX accessories is substantially different. You may check this guide on using Samsung DeX Pad, and this guide (coming soon) on using Samsung DeX cable on Galaxy Note 9. For the comparison of Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable, please check this guide.

This Galaxy S9 accessories guide explains everything you need to know about Samsung DeX Station: contents in the package (box), the layout of the DeX Station, step-by-step guide on using the DeX Station. Frequently asked questions on Ethernet port, display resolution, charging and covers are also covered.

What is Samsung DeX Station?

Samsung DeX Station, as shown above, is the first DeX accessory required by Samsung DeX. It was announced together with Galaxy S8 and S8+ in 2017.

Although it was announced as a companion to Galaxy S8/S8+, Samsung DeX Station works with all DeX-enabled devices: Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+, Note 8, Note 9 and Tab S4.

The design of the Samsung DeX Pad is similar to Samsung's fast wireless charging stand. You need to push the top part so that it stands up to support the phone.

You may check this guide on the differences among three Samsung DeX accessories: Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX Cable.

What is included in the Samsung DeX Station package?

In the Samsung DeX Station package, there are only two (maybe one if you find the quick start guide is useless) useful items:

Samsung DeX Station (aka multimedia dock).
Quick start guide in multiple languages.

Nothing else. No cables. No power adapters.

So, you need to prepare the following items to use Samsung DeX Station:

A Samsung fast wall charger (adaptive wall charger). The wall charger included in your Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9 is sufficient.
An HDMI cable.
(optional) A USB (or wireless) mouse/keyboard. You can use the phone screen as the trackpad. But unlike Samsung DeX Pad,

… Read the rest

Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable

Which one do you need to use Samsung DeX on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?

simon · Leave a Comment

Samsung DeX is one of the best productivity features offered in Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9. You need either a Samsung DeX Station, or a Samsung DeX Pad, or a Samsung DexX cable to enjoy this feature.

But these 3 accessories may work differently in the supported devices. Please check this guide on how to use Samsung DeX Station and this guide on how to use Samsung DeX Pad.

This Galaxy S9 accessories guide explains the difference among the Samsung DeX accessories: Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable, to help you get the correct DeX accessories for your phone.

What are the available Samsung DeX accessories needed to use Samsung DeX?

To use Samsung DeX, you need one of the following official accessories:

Samsung DeX Station was released in 2017 for Galaxy S8 and S8+. So, in addition to Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung DeX station works with all later devices: Galaxy S9, S9+ Note 8 and Note 9.

Samsung DeX Pad was released in 2018 for Galaxy S9 and S9+. So, it officially supports Galaxy S9, S9+ and Note 9. But in Android Oreo update, Galaxy S8, S8+ and Note 8 can also use Samsung DeX Pad to enjoy Samsung DeX. So, Samsung DeX Pad supports similar devices as Samsung DeX Station unless you haven't updated your S8 (or S8+ or Note 8) to Android Oreo.

Samsung DeX cable was released in 2018 for Galaxy Note 9. Currently, it only supports Galaxy Note 9 (and Tab S4) in DeX mode. For Galaxy S8, S8+, S9, S9+ and Note 8, the cable is identical to other normal USB-C to HDMI cable: you can only use it for screen mirroring without a Chromecast (or Miracast device).

Which phones support Samsung DeX?

As mentioned, currently, you can use Samsung DeX in the following devices:

Galaxy S8
Galaxy S8+
Galaxy Note 8
Galaxy S9
Galaxy S9+
Galaxy Note 9
Galaxy Tab S4

To use Samsung DeX Pad, Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8 must upgrade to Android Oreo. DeX Station does not have this requirement.

Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad: what are the differences?

If your Galaxy S8, S8+ or Note 8 are still using Android Nougat, then Samsung DeX … Read the rest

Unbox Galaxy S9: understand package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box

simon · 10 Comments

Unbox Galaxy S9: understand package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box After unboxing Galaxy S9 or S9+, you need to understand the package contents in your Galaxy S9 box or S9+ box so that you can properly use them when needed.

The package contents in Galaxy S9 box, and in Galaxy S9+ box are identical except the phone.

Also, the Galaxy S9 package contents may slightly vary in different regions.

This Galaxy S9 guide shows you the contents of Galaxy S9 box and Galaxy S9+ box. It also explains how to use these items in the Galaxy S9 box.

What are the Galaxy S9 package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box?

You can find Galaxy S9 package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box as shown in the picture below.

They include (corresponding to the numbers marked in the picture):

The sealed box.
The phone.
Wall charger (adaptive charger, aka fast charger).
USB cable (USB-A to USB-C).
USB connector.
SIM card ejection pin.
AKG earphone.
Additional earbud cups (large and small).

There is also a getting-started booklet (leaflet) together with a safety manual (not shown in the picture below).

In some regions, printed stickers with IMEI number and serial number may also be included in the box.

For the official Galaxy S9 user manual, you may check and download it in your language in the official Samsung Galaxy S9 user guides page.

You can also get the online version of the user manual from Settings – User manual. This service may be unavailable in some regions.

Galaxy S9 package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box

How to use the items included in Galaxy S9 package contents?

Galaxy S9 box (or Galaxy S9+ box)

Everything is in the box.

Some vendors in some regions may offer additional free accessories. But they should be not in the box.

You need to check and make sure the seal is not broken.

Galaxy S9 phone or S9+ phone

The phone should have some protective plastic films on all sides. You should remove them before using the phone.

In almost all regions, the camera lenses are also covered by the plastic film, which must be removed before you take any photos.

In some regions, Samsung does not offer a 1-to-1 exchange if the new phone has any problems. They only offer repair services under warranty.

If this is the case in your region, you should power on the phone to test it before leaving the counter.

The … Read the rest