Leaker Claims Samsung is Developing its own Android Auto Alternative, “Auto DeX”

As carmakers join tech companies in racing to develop ecosystems encompassing all the devices and services people use, a prolific leaker has claimed to discover evidence that Samsung is working on its own car integration UI that would be an alternative to Android Auto. X (formerly Twitter) user GalaxyTechie, who also moderates prominent smartphone-related subreddits, has posted a purported screenshot of the “Auto DeX” homescreen, showing a widget-based layout similar to Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay.  

Samsung could be hoping to capture more of its users’ screen time, preferring not to let Google manage the connected car experience. It could also be hoping to establish deeper integrations with its other hardware and service offerings. Most surprisingly, the leaker says that this mode will be accessible to users at any time, not necessarily when a phone is paired with a vehicle. That means it could also serve as a common UI for various other smart products, or be used on a smartphone itself if mounted conveniently.  

The purported screenshot of the “Auto DeX” interface shows a column of icons on the left to launch major functions including the Bixby assistant, navigation, music, and calls. The largest widget on the homescreen shows a map with directions, while music controls are in a smaller panel next to it. The smallest panel appears to show notifications or a version of the Now Bar which shows contextually relevant alerts. The bottom of the screen shows a taskbar with icons that are possibly pinned, or showing recently used apps. The legacy three-button Android navigation bar is also visible, which means the UI relies more on taps than gestures. 

Also see: Android Auto to Integrate Car AC Controls, But Not All Cars Will be Compatible

GalaxyTechie’s comments on the post indicate that a “huge number” of car models will be supported – over 8,500 models from over 120 manufacturers. A car will only need to be running Android on its own infotainment system, and a “receiver” app will need to be installed. Functionality similar to DeX on desktop monitors is supported, such as running apps that support extended windows. The wallpaper can be changed, and fonts will match a user’s preferences. They also hint that more details will be shared soon.

Samsung has not shared any public information about its plans or intentions for such a feature, which means it could be working on this internally and might not necessarily have plans to release it. A similar China-specific feature, called Samsung Auto, was reported to have been released in April this year.