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You do not need a Samsung Galaxy Book just to connect a Galaxy phone to a laptop. A qualifying Windows PC can run Microsoft Phone Link, but Samsung’s newer Galaxy Connect features have stricter requirements—including Windows 11, an x64 Intel or AMD processor, and Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware. Before buying, decide which phone features you want and check the exact laptop configuration against them.
What laptop works with a Samsung phone?
For basic phone-to-PC access, look for a Windows laptop that meets Microsoft’s Phone Link requirements: Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later, or Windows 11. The Android phone must run Android 10 or later, and the phone and PC must use the same Wi-Fi network. Microsoft also requires signing in to the same Microsoft account on both devices. See Microsoft’s Phone Link requirements and setup instructions.
Phone Link can show and reply to text messages, display recent photos, manage notifications, support calls, and provide access to supported phone apps. Permissions and feature availability vary by device, so a laptop meeting the Windows requirements does not guarantee every feature will work with every Galaxy phone.
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No—not for baseline Phone Link. A compatible Windows laptop from another manufacturer can use it. Samsung’s August 26, 2026 announcement also describes Galaxy Connect support on qualifying non-Samsung Windows PCs, but those PCs must meet Samsung’s separate hardware and software requirements.
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- USE YOUR PHONE, RIGHT FROM YOUR PC: Staying connected while you create is easy on Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 with Phone Link.²
A Galaxy Book may be worth considering if you want Samsung’s PC ecosystem, but do not assume every Galaxy Book generation supports every Samsung feature in the same way. Samsung documents feature-specific device and software qualifications. Choose by the exact feature and laptop configuration you need, not the brand name alone.
Phone Link and Galaxy Connect have different requirements
Do not treat Phone Link and Galaxy Connect as interchangeable labels for one set of compatibility rules. The baseline requirements below apply to Microsoft Phone Link; Samsung’s newer, narrower requirements apply to the Galaxy Connect features described in its announcement.
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- POWER FOR YOUR MOST PRODUCTIVE DAYS: Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 models come with a new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 256V with a higher-performance Intel ARC graphics & newly added AI neural processing unit (NPU) that reaches as high as 47 TOPS to achieve Copilot+ AI.
- POWERFUL. DURABLE. LIGHT. AMAZINGLY SLIM: Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is the epitome of portability and the lightest in our all-new Galaxy Book5 Series but very durable carved from CNC Aluminum; Thickness: 12.7mm, Weight: 3.72 lbs.
- EVERYTHING UNDER MULTI-CONTROL: Navigate your phone, Galaxy Tab, Samsung TVs, and Smart Monitors using your laptop's touchpad and keyboard.¹
- PHONE LINK: Sync your Galaxy phone to access AI features, call, text, and more— all without touching your phone.²
- TRANSCRIPT ASSIST: Turn recorded lectures and meetings into written notes, then translate and summarize quickly with Galaxy AI.³
| Check | Microsoft Phone Link | Samsung Galaxy Connect |
|---|---|---|
| PC operating system | Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later, or Windows 11 | Windows 11 or later |
| PC processor | Not stated in Microsoft’s listed baseline requirements | x64 Intel or AMD; ARM-based PCs are unsupported |
| Wireless hardware and drivers | Phone and PC must be on the same Wi-Fi network | Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipsets; minimum Intel Wi-Fi driver 22.50.07 and Bluetooth driver 22.50.02 |
| Phone and PC accounts | Same Microsoft account on phone and PC | Same Samsung account on linked devices |
| Phone requirement | Android 10 or later | Check Samsung’s current support information for the exact phone and feature |
Galaxy Connect’s requirements come from Samsung’s August 26, 2026 announcement, Samsung Browser for Windows Now Expands Its Seamless PC-Mobile Connected Experience. Its ARM exclusion should not be generalized to all Phone Link functions.
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- Choose the feature first. Decide whether you need messages and notifications, recent photos, calls, supported phone apps, cross-device browsing, file sharing, or a Samsung-specific function. Requirements differ by feature.
- Confirm the Windows version. Phone Link’s listed baseline is Windows 10 with the October 2022 update or later, or Windows 11. Galaxy Connect requires Windows 11 or later.
- Check the processor if Galaxy Connect matters. Samsung specifies an x64 PC with an Intel or AMD processor and says ARM-based PCs are unsupported for Galaxy Connect.
- Check the wireless components and drivers for Galaxy Connect. Samsung specifies Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chipsets, with Intel Wi-Fi driver 22.50.07 or later and Bluetooth driver 22.50.02 or later. Ask the manufacturer or retailer about the exact configuration; a laptop’s general product name may not establish which components it contains.
- Make sure the account requirements suit you. Phone Link setup uses the same Microsoft account on both devices; Galaxy Connect requires the same Samsung account on the linked devices.
- Verify the exact phone and feature combination. Android 10 or later is Microsoft’s listed Phone Link baseline, but device capabilities and app availability can vary. Samsung’s features also have model and software-version restrictions.
- Compare the laptop as a laptop. Check performance for your workload, battery life, screen, keyboard, weight, ports, warranty or repair needs, and price. Compatibility alone does not establish which laptop is the better value.
Samsung features may have extra model and software limits
Samsung’s 2023 Galaxy ecosystem guide describes several features with distinct requirements. For example, Multi Control depends on specified One UI versions, Galaxy Book models released in 2021 or later, and particular Samsung Settings versions; some models have limited support. Quick Share between Galaxy devices, Recent Websites, and Instant Hotspot each have their own phone, PC, operating-system, app, account, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth conditions.
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- THE LATEST INTEL PROCESSOR DRIVING THIS NEXT GEN AI PC: Experience a new level of transformative power on Galaxy Book5 360 with the super fast Intel Core Ultra processor (Series 2).
- SEARCH RESULTS IN A SNAP: No need to type – simply trace an image, text message, or QR code on the screen using the cursor or your finger and get search results on the fly with AI Select.¹
- TAKE NOTES AND TAKE CALLS, ALL ON YOUR PC: Whether you’re studying or mid-brainstorm, your phone’s most important notifications are mirrored to your Galaxy Book5 360 in real time with Phone Link.²
These are not universal requirements for every way of connecting a Galaxy phone to Windows. Treat them as feature-specific checks, and confirm current support for the laptop model, phone model, and software versions you plan to use.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose between a Galaxy Book and another Windows laptop
Start with your must-have feature, then compare the candidate laptops against its requirements. A Galaxy Book is one option for buyers who value Samsung’s ecosystem; a third-party Windows laptop can be suitable for Phone Link and may qualify for Galaxy Connect if it has the required Windows version, processor, wireless hardware, drivers, and accounts.
Rank #4
- Powerful Intel Core 7 150U 10-Core (Base Clock 2.3GHz, Up to 5.4 GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 12 MB Intel Smart cache, 10 cores, 2 Performance-Cores, 8 Efficient-Cores, 12 threads)
- [[ Customization ]] Upgraded to 16GB DDR4 SDRAM 4267 MHz | 512GB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive | Windows 11 Home
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- Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX201 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.1; 10/100/1000Mbps LAN. 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C support Data Transfer / Power Delivery, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x HDMI v2.1, 1x Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack; 1x RJ-45 LAN, 1x Memory Card, 1x USB-C Power Jack
- Fullsize Backlit Keyboard Fingerprint Reader with Numpad; Speakers 2Wx2; 54.4Whr 4-cell lithium-ion battery (Up to 12hours non-gaming battery life); 14.04 x 9.02 x 0.61 inches, 3.46 lbs; Silver / silver Color; 45W AC Adapter, free ONT 32GB USB Drive
The compatibility requirements do not establish that Galaxy Book laptops are universally better, nor that every third-party PC supports every Samsung continuity feature. For a Galaxy Connect-focused purchase, confirm the specific laptop’s Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hardware and driver versions before you buy. For ordinary Phone Link use, do not pay for a Samsung-branded laptop solely on the assumption that it is required.
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