Pixel fans have eagerly awaited the launch of the Pixel 8 lineup, expected later this year. Rumors surrounding the Tensor G3 chipset, camera upgrades, and software enhancements have been circulating. Recently, a leak revealed the display specifications of the lineup, and now it appears that the Pixel 8 series may have an impressive feature up its sleeve.
Pixel 8 Series to Get Samsung DeX Rival?
An Android Authority report suggests that the Pixel 8 series will come equipped with USB-C display output support, indicating that both the vanilla Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro will support DisplayPort Alternate mode. This information was also found in the Android 14 Beta update by Twitter user Mishaal Rahman. According to Rahman, the beta versions of the upcoming Android OS offer support for USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, bringing significant improvements to the existing desktop mode.
Android 14 is preparing loads of improvements for physical keyboards, including modifier key remapping, touchpad gestures, keyboard backlight control, and more! pic.twitter.com/ujGYNVkBnP
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) February 9, 2023
So, what does this mean for you? By activating this mode, your smartphone will transform into a miniature PC. With a display, mouse, and keyboard, your Pixel 8 can become the ideal work companion. Additionally, the device may include a dedicated desktop mode.
With a Pixel 8 device, you will also have the ability to connect to external monitors using the USB-C port, utilizing it as a secondary display. This feature will prove incredibly useful since smartphones lack dedicated HDMI display ports. Therefore, the USB-C charging port’s expanded functionality will greatly benefit users.
It’s important to note that this feature is not entirely new. Samsung has been including its proprietary DeX mode in its premium smartphones for years, continuously refining it. Motorola also offers a similar feature called Ready For. It only makes sense for Google to follow suit and introduce competition in this area.
Currently, limited information is available, and it remains uncertain how Google will implement this feature given its resource-intensive nature. Concrete details are expected to be revealed soon. In the meantime, it is advisable to approach this revelation with caution. Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming Pixel 8 lineup. We are curious to know your thoughts—do you believe this feature will be beneficial? Share your opinions in the comments section below.