Microsoft Duo 2
Is the Microsoft Duo 2 Still Worthy of Consideration? Let’s Re-review.
With consumers’ unquenchable thirst for innovation on the rise, companies worldwide are stepping up their game and pushing boundaries for what’s possible. The latest revolution is happening in the rapidly emerging field of foldables such as phones, laptops, and other devices that are challenging conventions with their astonishing flexibility.
We’ve had a chance to review many cutting-edge foldables including laptops like the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 and Asus’ Zenbook 17 Fold as well as smartphones like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Flip 4.
For this review, we decided to revisit the Microsoft Surface Duo 2, an early foldable that originally made its debut in late 2021. Now with a year and a half of hindsight, we wanted to reevaluate the Surface Duo 2 in the face of rising competition to see if it stands the test of time or if newer foldable devices have made it obsolete.
So join us as we dive into the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 to gain a fresh perspective on its design, display, performance, and overall user experience.
The Design
Compared to the first Surface Duo released in 2020, the Duo 2 feels complete; ready for primetime. One of our colleagues working on this review described it as “a handsome device,” and we all agreed. The original felt a bit rushed, almost like a prototype. Microsoft made sure not to make that mistake twice.
While at first glance, you can easily tell that they’re two products from the same line, once in your hands, it’s clear that the Duo 2 is the superior of the two phones. The company must have listened to the chorus of criticism as many of the shortcomings and design flaws of the Duo 1 have vanished with the Duo 2.
One thing, however, the Duo 2 is missing that came in handy on the first phone is the rubbery bumper that protected the sensitive edges. Instead of a bumper, the Duo 2’s screen curves slightly around the borders providing just enough space to see text and call notifications without the need to open the device, unlike the first Duo. Not a bad trade-off, but that means you’ll need to be careful to avoid dinging and chipping the edge, something we discovered only after the fact.
As with the first phone, this one is also manufactured using Corning Gorilla Glass. Both models are rather bulky with the Duo 2’s dimensions coming in at 5.7 by 3.6 by 0.4 when folded rendering the device unfriendly toward pants pockets. But since the target audience is working professionals who need mobile productivity beyond their day-to-day smartphone, this is probably not too big of an issue.
The Display
When it comes to screen quality, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 doesn’t miss.
The device offers two 5.8-inch PixelSense AMOLED displays featuring a 13:9 aspect ratio, HDR, 90Hz adaptive refresh, and 1344 x 1892 pixels each. Together they combine to deliver an 8.3-inch viewing area with 2688 x 1892 pixels making it larger than Google’s Pixel Fold and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, both of which come in at 7.6 inches when open.
One key area where the Surface Duo 2 falls short when compared to competing devices is its lack of a cover screen. Practically all folding phones available to the market today have cover screens in addition to their main display. For example, the Z Fold 4 has a 6.2-inch cover screen while the Google Pixel Fold comes in at 5.8 inches and even the Z Flip 4 has a 2-inch cover screen when closed.
Back to the Duo 2, the screens were a pleasant surprise, delivering an immersive visual experience despite the obvious hinge that splits the device in half. When gaming, watching movies, or browsing the web / social media, expect vivid visuals, vibrant colors, and deep blacks in addition to fast response times, sharp text, and seamless interactivity between both screens.
In addition to its impressive display, the Surface Duo 2 sets itself apart by offering stylus support, a feature that is notably absent on other foldables such as the Google Pixel Fold and Z Flip 4. Stylus support is a must-have when your goal is productivity as it enables users to take handwritten notes, doodle, annotate documents, and unleash their creativity directly on the device’s screens.
- Item is new and locked to AT&T. It cannot be unlocked
- Flexibility to do more. Choose your mode for the task at hand and tackle to-dos with dual-screen enhanced apps.
- Original design, created by surface. Thin, light, and versatile design does what you want it to, with revolutionary 360° hinge and dual pixelsense fusion displays.
- Screen Size: 8.1 inches
- Operating system: Android 10.0
Performance, Specs, OS
Now let’s talk about performance and specs.
Captaining the ship is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC which houses (1) ARM Cortex-X1 (3) ARM Cortex-A78s and (4) ARM Cortex-A55s which max out at 2.84GHz, 2.42GHz, and 1.8GHz respectively. Accompanying the CPU you’ll find a X60 5G modem and Ardreno 660 GPU in addition to 8GB RAM which is the standard for all Duo 2s, although internal storage can be configured for 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB depending on your needs.
While the 888 is a few generations behind the Snapdragon 8 that’s inside the Galaxy S22, and Snapdragon 8+ in the Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Flip 4, the performance still holds up well. It handles most games with ease. PUBG runs like butter. FIFA is smooth too. And optimized for the phone’s unique layout, games like Modern Combat Blackout, Asphalt 9, Dungeon Hunter, and others are redesigned where the action is on one screen while the other serves as a hub for game inputs and information. If you’ve ever experienced gaming on the Nintendo DS, immersing yourself in these titles will evoke a delightful rush of nostalgia.
But where the Duo 2 stands out is via its exceptional multitasking capabilities. It’s a powerhouse that effortlessly runs everything from high-demand productivity tools to messaging apps, games, media streaming, video conferencing, and collaboration applications. What’s even more impressive is these apps can seamlessly operate in parallel, with one app occupying each screen simultaneously when necessary.
However, that’s not to say the Duo 2 is perfect. It has improved dramatically when compared to the original Duo, but it is still far from flawless. Let us explain.
Microsoft elected to go with Android for the Duo 2’s OS, which is a brave departure from the company’s Windows Mobile OS. But being a Microsoft phone, of course, you’d expect some level of Windows functionality which is where “Microsoft Launcher” comes into play. It’s intended to be an application launcher that unifies Android OS and Windows apps, but it falls short, often feeling too clunky and fragmented to be useful.
Programs that use the launcher sometimes freeze, exhibit glitchy behavior, and sporadically crash. In addition, the touch responsiveness isn’t 100% as apps don’t always open on the first (or second) click. In fairness though, we’ve noticed that the Duo 2 has improved with each subsequent software update, for instance, switching from Android 11 to 12L resulted in fewer crashes and better responsiveness, but it hasn’t totally eliminated all the issues.
In our opinion, most of these problems largely stem from app developers who take the “build once, launch everywhere” approach rather than build native apps that adapt to these new form factors. For example, Reddit, TikTok, Kindle, and Twitter all have reworked their apps to work seamlessly on the Duo 2 without any hiccups or hassle.
Overall, we’d say hardware performance is strong but the phone needs a few more software tweaks before it’s as graceful and refined as something like the Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Camera and Battery
Price and Availability
Since late 2023, availability for the Microsoft Duo 2 has been somewhat sporadic, with units occasionally popping up on various platforms such as Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and major mobile carriers. In terms of pricing, the base model’s price dropped to $999 in April 2022, making it a more affordable option than newer foldables.
However, for those seeking even better deals, if you’re comfortable with purchasing from the second-hand market, eBay has many listings for the Microsoft Duo 2, offering potential buyers deep discounts.
As for the different variants, buyers can choose from either the 8GB memory with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage variants in either Glacier or Obsidian colorways.
999
The Final Verdict
In an increasingly growing foldable market where alternatives like the Google Pixel Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 4, and Flip 4 have made their mark, it’s clear that the Microsoft Duo 2 can’t claim the crown for being the absolute best. However, it does have its unique appeal and serves as a viable option for specific audiences.
You won’t find many cutting-edge features or high-tech advancements, but for die-hard Microsoft enthusiasts or someone who can’t deal with creased screens, or if you’re simply searching for a foldable device that won’t break the bank, the Duo 2 could be a phone to consider. Overall it delivers a respectable user experience with its dual-screen design and outstanding multitasking support.
In the end, the decision to choose the Microsoft Duo 2 ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. If you’re looking to buy the latest and greatest, you’d be better off with a Galaxy Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4,, or Google Pixel Fold. Otherwise, if you’re looking to save a bit of money and don’t care much about living at the bleeding edge, the Duo 2 is a solid choice.
- Item is new and locked to AT&T. It cannot be unlocked
- Flexibility to do more. Choose your mode for the task at hand and tackle to-dos with dual-screen enhanced apps.
- Original design, created by surface. Thin, light, and versatile design does what you want it to, with revolutionary 360° hinge and dual pixelsense fusion displays.
- Screen Size: 8.1 inches
- Operating system: Android 10.0