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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou can reuse a Galaxy phone as a TV-connected Android emulation device, but only if that exact model supports wired video output or Samsung DeX. Check compatibility before buying an adapter or dock; Samsung limits DeX to selected Galaxy devices, and support varies by model and region. A successful connection gets the phone’s display onto the TV—it does not guarantee that every emulator or game will run well.
Check whether your Galaxy can send video to a TV
Find the exact model name in the phone’s Settings, then verify its wired video-output or DeX support on Samsung’s DeX compatibility guidance. Do this before choosing a cable, hub, or dock: USB-C alone does not establish that a phone supports video output, and compatibility lists may differ across Samsung regional support pages.
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Samsung documents USB-C-to-HDMI adapters and DeX docks as connection routes for supported devices. Its Korean support instructions describe connecting a compatible phone to a TV, while an older DeX Station guide documents the dock’s HDMI, USB, and USB-C power ports. Treat compatibility as specific to the phone and accessory combination rather than assuming any Samsung dock works with any Galaxy.
Choose a wired connection that fits your setup
| Connection | What it provides | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C-to-HDMI adapter or cable | Sends the phone display to the TV on a compatible phone. | Phone video-output support, adapter compatibility, and whether the phone needs separate charging. Samsung documents this route. |
| USB-C multiport hub | May combine HDMI, USB peripherals, and charging, depending on the hub. | Phone video-output support, hub specifications, power-delivery support, and how the controller will connect. Samsung’s dock documentation does not certify every third-party hub. See the documented port functions. |
| DeX Station or DeX Pad | Samsung dock route for compatible Galaxy models, with HDMI and peripheral connections. | Phone-and-dock compatibility and charging requirements for the particular combination. Check Samsung’s model guidance. |
| Wireless DeX | Connects a supported phone to a compatible display wirelessly. | Phone and TV support, network quality, and whether possible wireless latency is acceptable. Samsung describes wireless DeX support. |
For a straightforward wired setup, connect the compatible adapter or dock to the phone, run HDMI to the TV, then select that HDMI input on the TV. If using a hub, check its video and power requirements for your exact phone instead of inferring compatibility from the connector shape.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Choose DeX or screen mirroring
On a compatible Galaxy, DeX presents a desktop-style interface on the external display. Screen mirroring instead shows the phone’s display on the TV. Samsung’s connection instructions describe selecting an HDMI display mode when using a compatible cable or dock. Prefer mirroring if you want the phone screen itself; choose DeX if you want its desktop-style layout. Menu names and locations can vary by phone and software version.
Connect and test a controller
Android supports Bluetooth and wired controllers. For Bluetooth pairing, open the phone’s Bluetooth settings and pair the controller; for a wired controller, connect it using a compatible cable. Android’s controller connection help gives the relevant setup steps.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Once connected, test navigation and buttons inside the emulator you plan to use. RetroArch supports controller navigation and control mappings, but a controller being paired with Android does not by itself confirm that every emulator or game has the right mapping.
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Install RetroArch and the emulator core you need
RetroArch is an Android application built around downloadable cores: modular emulator or game-engine components. Install a core for the system or content you intend to use, then configure and test the controls in that core. RetroArch explains its core-based approach on its platform page.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
RetroArch currently says on that page that “The Google Play Store version has not been updated in over a year” and recommends its site APK or another app store. That is vendor guidance that can change; check the official page at the time you install, and expect available cores and features to vary between Android builds and storefronts.
Use game files you are entitled to use. The applicable rules for copying or downloading games depend on jurisdiction; the available documentation does not establish a legal conclusion for your location.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What the setup does—and does not—tell you about performance
Getting video to the TV and pairing a controller establish a connection, not a performance result. Speed, compatibility, latency, heat, and battery life depend on the particular phone, Android version, emulator and core, and game. No specific handset, TV, controller, or game combination has been tested here, so check the behavior of your own setup rather than assuming it will match a dedicated emulation device.
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Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
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