Can I use smartphone as laptop?

If You Want to Use A Phone as Your Main PC, You Should Buy Android

• Cameron Summerson

  @Summerson

More and more people are moving towards a one-device-life, with smartphones taking center stage. If youve considered such a move yourself, you should look hard at an Android phone. Heres why.

Can You Really Survive with Just a Phone?

Before the inevitable theres no way I could do that comments, lets make one thing clear: this type of lifestyle isnt for everyone. Not even close. In fact, theres no possible wayI could even do this.

But for anyone who doesnt work from a computer, its really not a bad way to go. Phones are more powerful than ever and cover more ground than many people even need on the day-to-day.

Case in point: my wife.

She doesnt need a computer [she has one, but doesnt use it often], and does nearly everything from her phone. That is, by far, her main computer. In fact, Im constantly impressed with the number of things and amount of research she can do from her phone.

But thats exactly what got me thinking about this topic in the first place, because I bet there are a lot of people like that, and that number is growing daily. Its actually pretty cool to see how things have evolved and changed in such a short period of time.

If youre one of the people who can live this life, heres why we think Android is best the OS for you.

Why Android is Better as Your Only Device

First off, this isnt an Android versus iOS debate. Theyre both good operating systems, but I think Android edges out iOS when it comes to doing more and doing it quickly.

Multi-Window

RELATED: How to Use Android Nougat's Split-Screen Mode

When it comes to multitasking, you could quickly switch back and forth between a couple of appsor you could just have them both onscreen at the same time.

While some Android deviceslike Samsung Galaxy phoneshave been able to run a pair of apps on the screen simultaneously for a few years now, Android got native support for multi-window with Nougat [7.x]. This is good, because it means that more apps than ever work in a multi-window environment.

Accessory Support

Sometimes a touchscreen just isnt enough, and if you need to pen a longer email or vent on Facebook [no judgementit happens], an external keyboard is a great tool to have. Now, I know that iOS also supports keyboards, so this isnt unique to Android.

RELATED: How to Connect Mice, Keyboards, and Gamepads to an Android Phone or Tablet

But you know what is unique to Android? Mouse support. If youreally want to replicate a PC-like experience, theres no better way to do it than with a keyboard and mouse.

Of course, it almost seems silly to grab your keyboard and mouse just to hunch over a relativelytiny screen. Good thing Android also supports external monitors! In fact, you can pick up a compatible docking station, and then connect a keyboard, monitor, and mouse with one cable. Legit, son.

Alternatively, you could also cast your devices screen to a Chromecast-connected TV for a wireless experience. Theres a little bit of latency using this method, but it would work in a pinch.

If you dig the full keyboard, mouse, and monitor setup, Samsung takes thing one step further with its DeX docking stationThis essentially turns your phone into a full-fledged PC. Its not just mirroring your devices screen, forcing you to use Android on a big screen, it actually uses a totally different interface that feels more like a traditional PC.And it charges your phone.

Apps and More

If theres something you typically use a computer formaybe Microsoft Office, for examplethe odds are you can find a viable replacement on Android. In fact, I useseveral Android apps on my Chromebook in place of apps that Id normally use on my PC.

Thats not to say Android has a better selection of apps over the competition, because in some cases thats just not true. But, when combined with the other things on this list, the full picture is starting to become clear: you have multi-window support for two apps one the screen at the same time, accessory support for an external keyboard/mouse/monitor, and a comparableif not betterapp selection.

The Best Android Devices for Your Main Computer

If your interest is piqued at the thought of transitioning to one device for all your computer use, youre probably curious which Android phones you should consider. Good news: I have a list for you.

Google Pixel 2 XL

If youre looking for one device to rule them all, a bigger phone is going to be a better choice, and the Pixel 2 XL is a great phone thats also big. Not to be confused with a great big phone, which means something else entirely.

And since its a stock device thats maintained by Google, it gets updates quickly and regularly. The Pixel is always going to be the most up-to-date phone out [as long as its still being supported, of course].

Samsung Galaxy S9+

If the DeX station I mentioned earlier sounds like a winning solution to you, the Galaxy S9+ is another great choice. If you always plan on using it with DeX for real work, then you could also consider the S9. Its slightly smaller, but still a good size for split-screen and whatnot.

Plus, the S9 and S9+ have the best-rated cameras on any smartphone now, which is always an advantage. It has little to do with our topic here, but stilla better camera is always, well,better.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

If youreally want to get the most out of a one-device setup, its hard to ignore the Galaxy Note 8. At 6.3-inches, its the biggest phone on this list, which inherently makes it a good choice. But it also combines incredibly useful tools like the S-Pen, allowing you to do even more from your phone.

Like the S9, the Note 8 also natively supports multi-window as a core part of the OS, supports Samsung DeX for a true PC-like setup with your phone, and has a great camera to boot. In my opinion, its the most powerful option if you want one device that does everything. The versatility of the S-Pen, large screen size, and DeX compatibility make this an exceptional phone if youre only going to have one device.