I used Motorola's version of DeX with my Razr Fold, and it's nearly replaced my laptop
Original reporting by ZDNet
The landscape of mobile productivity is constantly evolving, with smartphones increasingly blurring the lines with traditional computers. Motorola's new Razr Fold is stepping boldly into this arena, equipped with its "Smart Connect" software. This innovative feature transforms the foldable phone into a desktop-like workstation, echoing capabilities seen in Samsung's DeX mode, but with a broader suite of functionalities and distinct advantages.
When paired with an external monitor, be it a portable display or smart glasses, Smart Connect projects a familiar windowed interface. Users can resize apps, multitask across multiple windows, and navigate seamlessly with a Bluetooth keyboard, using the phone itself as a trackpad. This setup promises a compelling vision for working on the go, offering a spacious canvas and robust multitasking capabilities, even providing passthrough charging for the phone in some configurations.
Practicality vs. potential
While the allure of a pocket-sized workstation is strong, the author's hands-on experience with a portable monitor revealed a nuanced reality. The monitor's need for external power and its physical footprint in a bag temper some of the "laptop replacement" aspirations. However, Smart Connect’s broader utility — encompassing not just desktop mode but also gaming, video chat, and TV modes — coupled with the Razr Fold's impressive battery life, positions it as a versatile and powerful alternative. This comprehensive connectivity makes the Razr Fold a formidable contender in the ongoing quest for true mobile computing, offering compelling options for professionals seeking freedom from a traditional laptop.
Motorola's Smart Connect capability on the Razr Fold is more than just a novelty; it represents a significant stride in extending smartphone utility into desktop-like environments. While the current setup with a portable monitor may not always surpass a dedicated laptop in sheer practicality for every user — due to power requirements or space considerations — its ability to transform a foldable phone into a versatile workstation is undeniably powerful. The seamless integration with external displays and peripherals, coupled with Motorola's robust battery life and multiple Smart Connect modes, positions it as a strong contender in the evolving mobile productivity landscape, offering a compelling alternative to Samsung's established DeX. The sheer convenience of having a desktop interface accessible from a device that fits in your pocket, even if used occasionally, fundamentally redefines what a smartphone can achieve.
The Computing Convergence
This burgeoning trend, exemplified by Motorola, Samsung, and increasingly other manufacturers, points towards a future where the smartphone serves as the singular computational hub for a diverse array of experiences. The continued refinement of such software suites, coupled with advancements in portable displays, augmented reality glasses, and energy efficiency, suggests a rapid convergence of mobile and desktop computing. We are moving closer to a "one device" future, where a single, powerful device adapts to various contexts – from a pocketable phone to a full workstation or an immersive AR interface – simply by connecting to the right accessories. This paradigm shift could fundamentally alter hardware consumption patterns, challenging the traditional necessity for multiple dedicated devices and further solidifying the smartphone's role as the central pillar of personal and, increasingly, professional computing. The competition in this space promises to accelerate innovation, ultimately benefiting users with unprecedented flexibility and power.