There’s much to love about Samsung’s brand new Galaxy Z Flip 7. Larger displays, sleeker look and, more importantly, DeX support. So let's cut the marketing fluff. So is this really as big of a deal as some are claiming? Or is Samsung just giving a bone to the productivity devotees, providing them an overall lackluster experience.

Wireless DeX Good Enough For Pros?

The elephant in the room here is that the Z Flip 7 only does DeX wirelessly. No wired option. Now, I get it. Wireless is the future, untethered emancipation, etc., ad nauseam. For those of us who actually use DeX for real work – editing videos, crunching data, managing complex projects – wireless isn't always good enough.

Think about it this way: wireless DeX is like streaming a 4K movie over Wi-Fi. Sometimes it works flawlessly. But then at other times, the buffering, lagging and dropped frames completely negates the experience. Because come on, are you going to bet your deadlines on that sort of haphazard execution? I think not!

The Fold series – presumably including the upcoming Z Fold 7 – is still the reigning champ for hardcore DeX users. Why? That’s because wired DeX offers a rock-solid, low-latency connection that wireless just can’t compete with. It’s the difference between a surgeon performing with a scalpel as opposed to a butter knife. Both can pee, but one is hugely more accurate and consistent.

I can already hear the arguments: "Wireless technology is improving!" "Latency is getting lower!" Sure, that's true. We're not there yet. Increasingly, wireless DeX has not lived up to wired connections’ legacy. Until it does, using it feels like a concession and not an authentic alternative.

Exynos Chip: A Silent Bottleneck?

Then there's the processor. The Z Fold 7 takes the leap and goes with an Exynos 2500 chip. That’s a first for the Flip line, which had historically relied on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors. Now, Exynos certainly has its strengths, but you’d be curious as to its influence on DeX performance.

Would the Exynos chip be able to accommodate the battery life and performance demands of running a full desktop environment on an external display, which is extra taxing? Will it introduce any unforeseen compatibility issues? We have to address those very questions first. Only then will we be able to properly judge the use of DeX on Z Flip 7.

Of the reasons why Samsung has previously excluded DeX in previous Flip models, “insufficient heatproof performance” was listed as the reason. This data is key to understanding why they made the decision. If heat truly was a problem in the first place, how has wireless DeX on a likely even less performant and efficient chip cleared that up? Does Samsung expect the new design to take care of the thermal load from long DeX sessions?

Marketing Ploy Or Real Innovation?

Here’s where the contrarian in me really shows the heck out. Is this DeX implementation just cosmetic, or an honest attempt to increase productivity for Flip users? Or is it simply a brilliant marketing ploy to draw more foot traffic to the doorstep of the device?

Let's be honest. From a style perspective, the Flip series is an unapologetic fashion statement. It’s a very slick, small phone that tends to draw in a much younger, more design-conscious crowd. Slapping DeX on it – even a limited version of DeX – allows Samsung to tap into a new market segment: the "on-the-go professional" who wants a phone that can "do it all."

Is this actually what Flip users are asking for? Is the world actually clamoring for a desktop experience on a device that is essentially a selfie/photo/social media generating device? We know, it sounds like a strange request! Is Samsung attempting to lay the groundwork for the Z Flip 7’s price premium? Or they could be implementing some sexy new bells & whistles that look good on paper but provide no tangible value to users.

Think about it this way: it's like putting a racing stripe on a minivan. Even though it looks impressive graphic, it can’t physically make it move any faster.

Having said all this, I think it’s worth celebrating the fact that this is a big step in the right direction. Samsung is devoted to listening intently to its customers. They’re bending the edges of what’s possible with foldable devices. Yet somehow, Samsung has brilliantly made DeX available through the Z Flip 7. Such engineering mastery is an accomplishment in itself.

What's Next? Bridging The Gap

The real question is: what's next? Will Samsung keep working on wireless DeX, one day closing the performance gap between it and wired connections? Hopefully future Flip models will at last come with wired DeX too, giving users the best of both worlds.

This is my hope, because I do believe one day the foldable device will be your one and only computer after all. Imagine a Z Flip that just as smoothly transitions from a pocketable phone to a powerful desktop computing setup. Simply plug it in, and you’re good to go! That day is still pretty far down the road.

For now, the Z Flip 7's wireless DeX feels more like a glimpse of that future than a fully realized solution. While it’s a good start for sure, it’s far from ready for prime time. Serious DeX users will likely stick with the Fold series for now, while casual users may find the wireless experience sufficient. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that it’s a genuine replacement for wired DeX. It's not.

The Verdict: A promising gimmick with potential.