The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is an Android smartphone with two screens. Especially people who are active within the digital ecosystem of Microsoft benefit optimally from the form. Other users have a little less of it, but the device is not completely useless either. You can read how that works in this Microsoft Surface Duo 2.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2
Recommended retail price From € 1,649,-
Colors white and gray
OS Android 11
Screen 5.8 OLED / 8.3 inches (up to 1,892 by 2,688 pixels, 90 Hz)
Processor Snapdragon 888
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB to 512GB
Battery 4,449 mAh
Camera 12, 12 and 16 megapixels (rear), 12 megapixels (front)
Connectivity 5G, 4G (LTE), Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, GPS, NFC
Format 184.5 x 145.2 x 5.5 mm (open) and 145.2 x 92.1 x 11 mm (closed)
Weight 284 grams
Other USB-c, stylus support, fingerprint scanner
Website www.microsoft.com 7 Score 70 
- Pros
- design
- Useful in specific situations
- Picture and audio quality
- Negatives
- Software Policy
- Camera quality
- Not for everyone
While a large part of the smartphone market is busy with foldable smartphones and tablets, Microsoft is taking a different tack with the Surface Duo 2. Foldable phones have screens that you unfold and fold, but this device brings two different displays together in one product. There is a fairly narrow slit in the middle, while both halves are held together by two regular hinges.
The fact that the Surface Duo 2 has two screens is not the biggest problem. In fact, in the context of sustainability, this setup is perhaps preferable for these types of phones. After all, you don’t fold the screen in half, which means that it is less likely to be damaged and less junk gets between the hinges. Moreover, this design does not have to mean that you have to compromise on usability; but more on that later.
In any case – as a consumer and reviewer – it’s great to see Microsoft investing in these kinds of products; whether they are really useful or not. Fresh options for a saturated market is a good development. Moreover, the Surface Duo 2 really appeals to the imagination. When you hold the device for the first time, you immediately understand why Microsoft made the choice for this design and what the possibilities are.
It’s not about the specs
The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has two 5.8-inch AMOLED screens. When you open both screens next to each other, a screen of 8.3 inches is created. There is no display on the outside. This means that notifications are less visible when they arrive. However, at the edge of the crack you will see a light come on when something enters. Anyway, you just have to notice that; not the most practical solution.
With a maximum resolution of 1,892 by 2,688 pixels (1,344 by 1,892 pixels per screen) and a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch, the device presents sharp and beautiful images. The maximum brightness of 800 nits is fine for most environments. In addition, the images look smooth thanks to the support for 90 Hertz image refreshment, and films and series look beautiful thanks to the support for HDR.
The device comes with 128 to 512 GB of internal storage and 8 GB of RAM. That’s more than enough space and memory for most applications and services. You can effortlessly use different communication apps or run apps side by side, without the system breaking a sweat. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 processor also does a lot of the work, of course. So it’s not about the specs.
Optimized for Microsoft apps
These types of smartphones mainly rely on the software. The Surface Duo 2 runs on Android 11 and has no view on Android 12 for the time being. That is already a cause for concern, because good software support is crucial for the life of a device. In addition, Microsoft provides many of its own apps on the device, which not everyone is waiting for. Unfortunately, removing all those apps is not an option.
Anyway, somewhere we can imagine that users of Microsoft services, who have this device in mind, can appreciate the pre-installed apps. This may be a matter of knowing your target audience; but on the other hand, the company is pushing its apps. It differs per user whether this is really a good move or not.
Those Microsoft apps do have an advantage over other apps. They are optimized for both screens. For example, you can Microsoft Teams and see different types of information on both screens. On the left a row of chats and on the right the chat history. The same applies to Outlook, for example, only then for e-mails, of course. Then you see that Microsoft has really thought about functionality and usability. But this only applies to its own apps.
Software wise it is… mediocre
If you want to use the Surface Duo 2 in combination with third-party apps, you can’t rely on the same kind of support. Gmail, for example, only works on one screen and can’t be divided on its expanded surface of more than 8 inches. The message is therefore quite clear: if you want to enjoy this device to the fullest, you must already be active within the Microsoft ecosystem. That doesn’t apply to everyone.
This does not mean that the system is worthless in its entirety. Because the design lends itself to many useful user moments. For example, you can place one screen flat on a desk or shelf and place another part upright (or at a certain angle) and participate in digital meetings, for example. Otherwise, you can comfortably watch videos. In the meantime, you don’t have to mess around with stands or accessories.
In addition, both screens are perfect for multitasking. For example, you can place an empty classroom block on one screen for notes, while you hold a meeting or watch videos on the other screen. Or how about a written recipe with a cooking video? If you want to game via Xbox Game Pass, one of the screens even turns into a digital controller. The Duo 2 thus proves that it can actually be practical.
Great speakers, disappointing camera
The Surface Duo 2 also has excellent speakers. You understand people on the other side of the line or meeting perfectly, thanks to the stereo sound reproduction. The single selfie camera above the screen is not of a very high level, but is – with sufficient light around you – also suitable for digital meetings. There are three cameras on the back. Two of twelve megapixels and one of sixteen.
These are the main camera, telephoto and wide-angle camera respectively. The system supports up to two times optical zoom. The quality is not very high. Although images appear colorful and detailed outside, they can quickly lose detail inside. Images look soft and faded and you encounter grainy material more than once. Although this is not a pillar for the device, given the price we expected something more.
Fortunately, the battery, of almost 4,500 mAh, lasts a full day. At the end of the day you are usually around 25 percent, so it’s a good idea to charge the device. Charging is fairly quick: within thirty minutes you are already at fifty percent. Unfortunately, wireless charging is not possible. Microsoft previously announced that there is no room there due to components that offer functions such as NFC and 5G. This is not a bad thing, because wireless charging is often slower than charging via a cable.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 – conclusion
The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is one of a kind. We’ve seen a lot of foldable phones (such as the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3 from Samsung) , but none of those models resemble the Duo 2. We mean that both positively and negatively.
While phones with folding screens often offer good software support for all kinds of apps, that is not the case for the Duo 2. Unfortunately, this only applies to the apps that Microsoft develops itself.
We are positive about the design. Not only because it is something different for once, but also because the screens are better protected against damage and the device may therefore last longer. Provided Microsoft continues to actively support the Duo 2, because Android 12 is unfortunately not yet on the horizon. Furthermore, the camera system is disappointing, but we are again very pleased with how long the battery lasts.
In terms of usability, we are also positive. Because you can fold and use the device in multiple ways, you can occasionally comfortably participate in meetings without a laptop and you can actually multitask well. However, the device does not receive a broad recommendation. It is too focused on the business market for that and the software support is really substandard.
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