Samsung has now officially launched its DeX-compatible USB-C to HDMI Adapter on Amazon for $50. For those who may not be aware, the cable is primarily intended for use with its Galaxy Note 9 handset – which allows DeX mode without the need for a DeX dock or pad accessory. Although $50 may seem like a bit much for a simple cable, the dock in question actually costs around $150 and the pad is priced at approximately $99. The cable also supports UHD 4K at a 60Hz refresh rate and is compatible with HDMI 2.0 and Display Port 1.2 standards. According to the new Amazon listing, it also works with Samsung’s Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, and Galaxy Note 8 handsets. So it may be well worth the price for those looking for a more affordable and adaptable solution to using their smartphone on a larger screen.
With that said, the cable in question does not support charging and some reviews on the item have also said that wireless charging won’t keep up with the discharge rate brought on by the functionality. That may not be a deal-breaker since it is still at least half the price of the usual accessories but it is something to be aware of since it means that users will be somewhat limited by battery constraints. Meanwhile, there are actually other cables will reportedly work to accomplish the same task, at very least for the Galaxy Note 9, and many of those are much less pricey. Those third-party cables also can’t necessarily promise an optimized experience for Samsung’s devices or the same data rates at the same refresh rates. The Samsung cable is also currently on sale for $31.01. So it’s more of a bargain than it would ordinarily be at the moment.
In the meantime, a universal DeX dock from the company may also be in the works for users on other handsets, which could offer a similar experience. That’s based on recently reported patents filed by the company. Those show a DeX-style dock with a tilt-adjustable spring-loaded plug which sits separated from the stand so that any device can be plugged in regardless of phone thickness or length. The plug stands upright up until a device is plugged in and then the device can be leaned back for stability. If that does ultimately make it to market, if the company’s other offerings are anything to go by, it could end up costing more than the newest USB Type-C to HDMI cable.
