Smartphone performance is fast enough these days that the thing preventing them from replacing your laptop isn’t hardware. With the right peripherals and supported apps, you can make your Android phone an alternative to your laptop. If you have a large foldable phone, the extra screen space certainly helps, but it isn’t necessary. Additionally, using software like Samsung’s DeX or Google’s hidden Pixel desktop mode can improve the experience when connected to an external monitor.
Really, all you need to turn your Android phone into a tablet or laptop alternative is four accessories. A phone stand, mouse, USB-C hub, and wireless keyboard can transform the device you already have into a mobile workstation. I’ve rounded up my favorite accessories in each category — and they’re all affordable.
Moft Magnetic Wallet Stand
A slim, versatile Qi2 wallet with card slots
The experience needs to start with a stand on your phone, because you don’t want to be looking down at a screen all day. While there are really cheap options available, I’d recommend spending a bit more on the Moft Magnetic Wallet Stand. This is perhaps the most crucial piece of a laptop-replacement kit, and you want a good one. Often, cheap stands have limited viewing angles, which doesn’t bode well for laptop-like use.
My favorite thing about Moft’s Magnetic Wallet Stand is that it’s versatile. The stand itself is roughly five millimeters thick when collapsed, so you can keep it attached to your phone all the time. Another reason you might want to is for the built-in card wallet. You can hide two credit card-sized items in the wallet stand for convenience. Despite the origami-style folding design, this stand is extremely sturdy, suspending my gargantuan Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in midair without issue.
The stand features three viewing angles, and it’s made out of vegan leather. The entire accessory feels premium and durable, perfect for daily use as a phone stand. The best phone stand is the one you always have with you — that’s why the compact design of the Moft Magnetic Wallet Stand earns my pick.
The Moft Magnetic Wallet Stand attaches to your phone via Qi2 or MagSafe magnets. If you’d rather save a few bucks or get a more universal (but less portable) stand, I’ve also linked a great option from Ugreen below.
- Material
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MOVAS Vegan Leather
- Compatible Devices
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MagSafe, Qi2
- Brand
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MOFT
The Moft Magnetic Phone Wallet stand is a slim Qi2 option with multiple viewing angles. It has a built-in wallet that can support two credit cards.
Logitech Pebble Mouse 2
A tiny, cheap Bluetooth mouse for Android and iOS
I use a Logitech MX Master 3S at my desk, but ergonomic mice like that one are completely unfit for mobile workstations. Android has complete pointer support and works well with Bluetooth mice, and the best one for this use case is the Logitech Pebble Mouse 2 M350s. It’s a slim wireless mouse with all the features you’d expect from a Bluetooth accessory in 2026. That includes multi-device switching with up to three devices and a customizable scroll wheel button.
The drawback to the Pebble Mouse 2 is that, well, it’s shaped like a pebble. The design certainly isn’t the most ergonomic, but what it’s lacking in ergonomics it makes up for in portability. This optical mouse is slim, and uses silent clicks — perfect for use in public at a coffee shop or library.
The Logitech Pebble Mouse 2 is powered by a single, included AA battery. It can last up to two years, so you won’t have to worry about charging often. The mouse is cross-platform with full support for Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Android, and Chrome OS. It’s the perfect tiny mouse to take with you while using your Android phone as a pseudo-laptop, but it’ll also work with all your other devices.
- Sensor
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Optical
- System Requirements
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Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS
- Wireless?
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Yes
The Logitech Pebble 2 is a portable mouse with support for multi-device switching. It’s a Bluetooth pointer that is fully compatible with Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Android, and Chrome OS. The mouse runs on a single AA battery and can last up to two years.
Ugreen Uno 6-in-1 USB-C hub
All the ports you need, none you don’t
To connect to wired chargers and accessories simultaneously, you’ll need a USB-C hub for your smartphone. There are dirt-cheap options available on Amazon and similar sites, but in this case, you want something quality. I went with the Ugreen Uno 6-in-1 USB-C hub because it offers a varied suite of ports for under $25. The one thing it’s missing is an SD card slot, but your bases will otherwise be covered by USB-A, USB-C, and an HDMI port.
Crucially, this hub supports 10Gbps data transfer speeds, which is about the maximum phones are capable of handling. It also offers 100W power delivery passthrough. This enables users to charge their phones at full speed while connecting other accessories to the dock. You might want to use something like this to use your phone with desktop software, including DeX or Android 16’s desktop mode. It can also come in handy for managing storage devices, like USB drives or SSDs.
If you need a bonus, this USB hub has a “robot design” that includes an LED face when plugged into a phone. It’s slim enough to fit into a pocket or bag easily, going wherever your smartphone goes.
- Connection
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USB-C
- Ports
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HDMI, USB, USB Type C
- USB-C Power Delivery
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100W
- Maximum display resolution
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4K@60Hz HDMI
The Ugreen Uno 6-in-1 USB-C Hub packs three USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. It’s compact enough to fit in a bag while supporting 10Gbps connections, 100W power delivery, and 4K@60Hz display resolutions.
Logitech Keys-to-Go 2
Another part of your smartphone workstation worth splurging on is the keyboard. You’ll want something that’s portable, comfortable to type on, and durable enough to survive being roughed up in a bag. Only one keyboard meets every single one of those requirements — the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2. It’s a thin, wedge-shaped wireless keyboard with low-profile keys that still feel satisfying to type on.
The keyboard is designed with portability in mind and works with a slew of operating systems, including mobile ones like Android, iOS, and iPadOS. It supports multi-device switching with up to three devices, so you can switch between typing on your phone and your laptop or tablet with one key. There’s also a standard QWERTY 78-key layout that doesn’t feel crunched for familiarity, typing speed, and ergonomics.
The best part of the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is the built-in cover, which helps protect the keycaps during travel. The worst part might be the battery solution. To get a keyboard this thin, Logitech used non-rechargeable coin-cell batteries to power the Keys-to-Go 2. Luckily, these only need to be replaced every few years, but it’s something to consider. I swear by the Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 for phone and laptop use, but I’ve also linked to a cheaper alternative from Anker below.
- Battery
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CR2032 coin-cell
- Number of Keys
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78
- Multi-device pairing
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Yes
- Charging
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USB-C
The Logitech Keys-to-Go 2 is a wireless Bluetooth keyboard with a low-profile design and USB-C charging. It offers a 78-key layout, multi-device layout, and full OS support from iOS and Android to Linux. The keyboard has a built-in cover for transport and portability.
Where to upgrade your smartphone setup next
With these four accessories, I have all I need to work remotely, and they can all fit into a small bag. I’m not going to lie — I’m a laptop user through and through, as I need desktop apps and sites that don’t run well on mobile. However, I’ve used foldable phones as my only computer in a pinch. They work, and they’re more portable than a laptop.
If you’re looking at options beyond this accessory lineup, consider a portable charger. Heavy use of your smartphone with all these accessories connected will draw more power than your device is probably used to. That’s when a high-capacity, fast-charging power bank starts to make sense.
Ugreen Nexode 20,0000mAh 130W Review: Enough Juice to Charge Your Phone Twice
This power bank will charge up your gear real quick.
It feels like we rarely use our phones to their full potential. The best ones cost over $1,000 — more than cheap and midrange laptops. To make the most of them, you can add cheap accessories to expand their use cases.
