Summary
Like everyone else, I use the USB-C port on my Galaxy phone for charging. But that’s far from the only thing I use it for. USB-C has become so universal at this point that almost any accessory you can think of will plug right into it. I use the charging port on my Samsung phone to add more storage, turn my phone into a makeshift PC, and connect accessories like a thermal camera. All these things save me some real headaches and make me appreciate how versatile that tiny port really is. Plug in an SSD for extra storage Phone storage is not an issue for me My Galaxy S26 doesn’t have an SD card slot, and sadly, that’s the case for most phones these days. But that doesn’t mean that cloud storage is my only option. I prefer external storage more because it’s faster and doesn’t require an internet connection. And the USB-C port on my Galaxy phone makes it easy to plug in an SSD and even a flash drive. I find this useful any time my phone is running low on storage. Instead of finding what to delete, I can plug in the SSD, transfer a few large files, and be done with it. I also like how Galaxy phones let you record straight to an external storage. This is incredibly handy when I’m on trips, as I usually end up taking way too many photos and videos. I like using a USB thumb drive for this because keeping an SSD plugged in isn’t practical. Once the Camera app detects I’ve got a storage drive plugged in, it gives me the option to record videos straight to the connected device. Another time I plug in an SSD is when I need to back up my phone. One UI makes this stupidly simple. I can head to Settings > General management > Reset > External storage backup, plug in my SSD, and back up my entire device in less than 5 minutes. Call me paranoid, but this is something I like to do before every trip, just in case I lose my phone. Use wired DeX to use my Galaxy as a PC No need to carry the laptop everywhere I’ve always felt Samsung DeX is criminally underrated. Yes, it works wirelessly, but you’ll almost never get the best experience that way. A wired connection is way better because there’s virtually no lag and noticeably better resolution. All it takes is a USB-C to HDMI cable. I personally prefer using a dock, since it lets me add a keyboard and mouse too DeX is something I like to use when I’m travelling and don’t want to carry my laptop everywhere. I can connect it to any hotel TV or a portable monitor and start working. Sure, this does force me to carry all the peripherals, but it’s still a better deal for me than carrying my 5-pound Lenovo Legion. Samsung DeX is great for browsing, writing, and multi-tasking in general. It’s obviously not as powerful as an actual laptop, but it’s capable enough to get the job done. And while I’m not working, I still like to use it for streaming. It saves me the hassle of logging into my accounts on a hotel or Airbnb TV. Heck, DeX is also great for cloud gaming sometimes, although I wouldn’t recommend doing it with hotel Wi-Fi because the speeds are almost always terrible there. Connect various USB accessories My phone wears many hats Finally, the charging port on my Galaxy phone works great with all kinds of accessories. When I’m not using DeX, I usually connect a keyboard through a USB dongle and pair a mouse over Bluetooth (or vice versa). This setup works great for gaming, whether that’s cloud gaming or just regular mobile titles. And if a controller is more your thing, that works just as easily. On my old S22, I like to use the USB-C port for connecting it to my laptop. The SpaceDesk app makes this ridiculously easy. All you have to do is download it on both your PC and tablet and use a USB-C cable to connect them. You can then mirror the PC screen or extend it to your phone. The same USB-C port also works great with printers, microphones, portable routers, and pretty much every USB accessory you use with a PC. The one thing I plug in the most is a USB-C thermal camera. It comes in handy when I’m reviewing phones and laptops and want to see how hot they get while gaming or charging. Thermal cameras can be slightly expensive, of course, but they’re useful for diagnosing HVAC problems around the house, spotting water leaks, inspecting the car batteries, scanning solar panels, and even cooking. Plus, they’re portable, so you can easily store one and plug it in whenever you need it.