iPhones could get Samsung DeX-like functionality with iOS 19

DeX is one of the advantages of buying Samsung phones over iPhones. The feature offers PC desktop-like user interface for multitasking and window management. However, Apple might be planning to bring DeX-like functionality to iPhones with the iOS 19 update later this year.

While iOS 18 was focused on bringing AI features to iPhones, iOS 19 could bring a major improvement. According to tipster Majin Bu, Apple is planning to bring a limited version of Stage Manager to iPhones with a USB Type-C port with the iOS 19 update. Stage Manager, which debuted on iPads with iPadOS 16, offers a desktop-like user interface with window management features.

While iPhones with both Lightning and USB C ports can connect to external displays, they only offer basic screen mirroring. They neither adapt to a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is common on monitors and TVs, nor do they display multiple windows for side-by-side multitasking. With the upcoming Stage Manager feature, they will likely display multiple apps for enhanced productivity.

If this information is correct, Apple could showcase it during the WWDC 2025 keynote event on July 9, 2025. Once the event is over, the company could release the first Developer Beta version of iOS 19 for testing. iPads are also expected to get desktop-like Menu Bar in the Stage Manager mode with iPadOS 19.

As is usually the case, Apple's Stage Manager might not be as feature-rich as Samsung DeX. But Apple has a habit of steadily improving existing features with each new OS release. Samsung has lately not added anything of note to DeX. So, if Samsung wants to keep an upper hand, it needs to bring something new and useful with DeX with One UI 8.0.

In this article, we have outlined some of the features that Samsung can bring to improve DeX with future One UI releases.