To make DeX available on the Samsung Z Flip 7 is a totally radical move. At last, a clamshell foldable that can transform into a desktop whiz! It’s the equivalent of providing someone with a Swiss Army knife, but they’ve only ever used the toothpick. We’re referring directly to the complete DeX experience here – resizable windows, the whole nine yards desktop-type interface, everything. This leads to a level of productivity that was previously unimaginable on a device this thin and light.

No cover screen touchpad. Read on to find out if this is a creative masterstroke, or a drop that has users clamoring for an encore.

Touchpad Or Not, That Is The Question

The core question isn't simply "why no touchpad?" It's: Was this a calculated trade-off to prioritize other aspects of the DeX experience, or a genuine missed opportunity to enhance usability? Think about it. Samsung at least purposely decided to not include one prominent feature its competition, such as the Razr, are flaunting. It's not like they couldn't do it. So, what's the reasoning?

Could it be battery life? Stuffing all of that functionality into such a small area has unavoidable effects on power consumption. Perhaps enabling a longer-than-Razer-DeX session trumped keeping the luxury of a built-in touchpad. Or maybe it isn’t a question of manufacturing intimidation. Incorporating a truly responsive, very precise touchpad into that tiny cover screen would’ve likely brought in hundreds or thousands of dollars and failure points out the wazoo.

Look, we admit it. How many professionals would yoke themselves to a postage stamp cover screen touchpad for heavy lifting? I wouldn’t blame anyone for being skeptical if they think enough people will go for a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard. It's like choosing between a butter knife and a chef's knife – both can cut, but one is clearly superior for the task at hand. In which case, Samsung could indeed be playing the long game. For now, they’re concentrating on the essentials of what DeX should do—converting a smartphone into a desktop environment—and will layer in addition functionality in later iterations.

Android Desktop Dreams: Chrome OS's Ghost?

The bigger picture here is the changing Android desktop experience. For those not following along, Google has been playing with the thought of combining Chrome OS and Android for some time now. DeX definitely seems like a move in that direction, a way to provide a real seamless experience between mobile and desktop computing. The Z Flip 7’s DeX implementation is a bigger piece of this larger puzzle. It’s a proving ground for Samsung and Google themselves too. Their goal is to get a sense of user interest and help them refine the Android desktop experience.

We hope to see you on board! If Google can manage to create a fully realized cohesive operating system, products like the Z Flip 7 will be freakishly strong. Picture effortlessly transitioning from mobile to desktop mode, with all your apps and information immediately available. It’s basically like having a pocket-sized teleportation device to your entire digital existence.

The path to Android desktop utopia is yet again fraught with trade-offs. We’d like to think the omission of a cover screen touchpad on the Z Flip 7 was one of those compromises. That’s a nice reminder that we’re very much still in the early days of this evolution.

Productivity Nirvana or Just Another Gimmick?

Here's where the real question lies: does the lack of a cover screen touchpad kill the Z Flip 7's DeX potential for professionals? I don't think so. Sure, a built-in touchpad would be great, but I don’t think it’s a show-stopper that it’s not there. As a professional, I'd prioritize a stable, full-fledged DeX experience with wired connectivity over a potentially cramped and less-than-ideal touchpad.

The Z Flip 7’s DeX implementation, touchpad or no, still brings a ton of productivity advantages. It allows you to:

  • Work on multiple apps simultaneously
  • Connect to a larger display for enhanced multitasking
  • Use a keyboard and mouse for faster and more accurate input
  • Access your files and data on the go

You really do have a powerful new office in your pocket. The Z Flip 7 isn’t a desktop replacement panacea, but it’s one hell of an opening bid.

That’s probably on purpose, given the decision to remove the cover screen touchpad. From the looks of it, I would guess they purposely chose this trade-off to improve other elements of the DeX experience. Others may consider it a failure of ambition. There’s no question that Samsung wants a piece of this action, but unlike some markets, Samsung is playing the long game here. They're betting that the core functionality of DeX, combined with the Z Flip 7's unique form factor, will be enough to attract professionals and mobile users alike. Only time will tell if they're right. One thing is certain: the Z Flip 7's DeX capability is a bold step forward for Android's desktop ambitions, even if it's a step without a built-in trackpad. If it’s any consolation, perhaps the Z Flip 8 will feature everything. After all, aren’t you looking forward to that – because the surprise is part of the fun!