This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/samsungdex by /u/DeX_Mod on 2024-08-14 20:03:03+00:00.
As always, not journalists, but we're trying to be fair, and accurate. No money changes hands, and UPERFECT doesn't have any kind of editorial ability, they'll see the review at the same time as the subreddit. They have been kind enough to provide some review samples, so here we go.
JUST SO YOU KNOW: Since this product is 99.9% identical to the nexdock XL, I've re-used the majority of the format, and some of the previously used pictures I took. Partly because when I dumped all my pics, I couldn't tell the difference. Some are new! some likely aren't
UPERFECT UDOCK 15.6 Pro
This one is going to look pretty familiar to the last lapdock we reviewed , and it for good reason. Nex went with a different method of procuring and getting the XL made, by directly selling the design to the ODM (factory), which allows the ODM to re-sell the design to whomever else would like to produce a model. We've already seen Dopesplay churn out a few of these, and now it's UPERFECT's turn.
DIMENSIONS
It's obviously exactly the same dimensions as the XL, at 320 x 240mm, and 16.6mm thick.
Udock left, and XL right
The UDOCK is a slightly lighter shade of grey than the Nexdock, and without the Nex logo, otherwise they are physically the same from the outside.
udock left, XL right
The keyboards layouts are also identical. So identical, that they share the same bluetooth fingerprint, meaning I have to forget a pairing on one, to connect to the other one via bluetooth. The only other differences are cosmetic. They obviously have replaced the Nexdock logo and silkscreening, but they've added a very nice wireless charging TARGET above the keyboard
Nicely marked wireless target zone
It doesn't seem like much, but rather than just kind of guessing, and fiddling with the pull of the magnets, it's much easier (at least initially) to get your Buds, or Galaxy to hit the sweet spot and start charging.
The keyboard and trackpad are absolutely identical to the XL; the keyboard is very respectable to type on. It's not going to wow the mechanical key nerds, but it's very decent, and shouldn't be the source of any complaints. The trackpad, now that it's out of the way, is also much less problematic. The trackpads have always been fine when you INTEND to use them, but the poor to non-existent palm rejection on previous models was always a sore point.
It's completely out of the way here, but will take a bit of muscle memory to overcome reaching below.
The Ports
In a change from previous versions, the charging USB-C port has migrated to the left side of the chassis, with the regular USB-C port, and mini-HDMI ports all clustered near the hinge.
Identical to the XL, well marked
The right side now features a full size USB-A port, a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD card reader, and a flush mounted power button
Power, microSD, USB-A and 3.5mm headphones
Charging Ability of UDOCK
So one of the big features of the UDOCK is the ability to wirelessly charge your phone while using it wirelessly (miracast to the screen, bluetooth for the touch, keyboard and trackpad).
There are magnets embedded below, to help keep your phone in place. They're not particularly strong tho.
Placing my phone (s21u) on the charging spot resulted in identical results. Roughly 1A charge wirelessly
Wireless charge
Wired, oddly enough, only produces about 2/3 of an amp in charge current.
wired charging results
I can't find the battery specs specifically for the UDOCK, but run time tests are roughly the same as the XL (as expected)
I've been testing the battery by leaving the lapdock running at Full Brightness, Half Volume, and playing the Samsung TV 80's music channel non-stop.
I was consistently getting over 6 hours run time, with somewhere between 7% and 9% left before calling it a night.
This was with the phone connected via USB-C, device charging/wireless charging off
I'm expecting them to have identical batteries this time around, and will update if I'm able to verify anything different
Speakers
The UDOCK speakers sound similar to the XL, which has 4x 2W speakers. UDOCK documents say 2x 1W speakers, but I kinda suspect that's just a cut and paste carryover. There is still no real bass, and you're not going to be blasting tunes out of this thing, but for watching youtube, or work presentations, they're really usable.
You'll still be wanting a headset for music, but in a small office, you can definitely watch some netflix and be fine.
Like previous UDOCKS, the 15.6 pro will come with a 30w PD charger, with a 6 foot usb-c cable
You'll also get a 2x USB-C cable to connect your phone/device, as well as a 1m mini-HDMI cable, and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
THE SCREEN THO, WHAT ABOUT THE SCREEN?!?!
UPERFECT got the 120hz screen
So the big coup here, was that UPERFECT was able to source the 120hz displays. It really doesn't make much of a difference for DeX, since that tops out at 60hz (for now), but when connecting a steam deck, surface pro, etc, you can get 120fps out of your games with the UDOCK
For some folks, that alone will the deciding reason to choose it.
The new screen is a 15.6" 1080P IPS touchscreen running at 120hz.
It's 250 nits, but I'm not sure my eyes call tell the difference between the brightness of the 300nit XL screen.
They're definitely not going to be work in the park on a summer day screens.
The screen is 100% sRGB color gamut, and folds completely back, tablet style. The screen will also auto-rotate (vertically) if you use it in tent mode.
CONCLUSION
Ok, so I'm going to go at this 2 ways, first, as your first device, and secondly, as potentially an upgrade from a previous lapdock
If you're choosing your first lapdock, amongst the half dozen or so out there, the UDOCK does offer a couple of reasons to choose it. It's the largest, 360* hinged lapdock available.
It offers wireless charging of the phone, and with a magsafe case, offers a good solution of just where you keep your phone when using the lapdock.
The 120hz refresh screen offers a more compelling gaming experience for those looking to pair with with a Steam Deck, or Rog Ally, or similar that other lapdocks just can't compete with right now.
Solid battery life, a good typing experience, and the ability to use it wirelessly are all nice incentives to purchase
Upgrading:
If you've already got a lapdock, like the ND360 or UDOCK 14", the 120hz panel, and final battery being slightly larger, is still a solid reason to consider upgrading. The UDOCK 15.6 pro does have a bigger screen, and better speakers, but it might be a tough sell for just that. Doubly so if you have a ND360 Wireless, and you've already got miracast ability.
As a device on it's own, I think it's another good option, and is a good choice for anyone looking for a bigger screen in a 1 cable lapdock solution.
Thoughts?
the UDOCK 15.6 can currently be purchased from their website: UPERFECT UDOCK 15.6 pro
