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Hands-On With Microsoft's $1,400 'Surface Duo' Dual Display Smartphone
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Personally, I have zero interest in a folding phone. I have less interest in a doll-sized laptop (a hiptop?).
But if there was a company that could make me believe in such nonsense, it's Apple - they've proven reeeally good at that the past couple of decades.
Aren't we at a max as far as pocketable tech is concerned?
What's next, the triumphant return of cargo pants? I'd be ok if neither happened.
But if there was a company that could make me believe in such nonsense, it's Apple - they've proven reeeally good at that the past couple of decades.
Aren't we at a max as far as pocketable tech is concerned?
What's next, the triumphant return of cargo pants? I'd be ok if neither happened.
I like the idea of this phone. I got to hold one for a few minutes and it really is comfortable and feels nice. Build quality is excellent.
It just misses on too many key factors for me.
Garbage camera, THOSE BEZELS, and an outdated CPU.
Android isn't an issue. I expect there to be bugs in a first gen device.
Hopefully there will be a next gen version.
It just misses on too many key factors for me.
Garbage camera, THOSE BEZELS, and an outdated CPU.
Android isn't an issue. I expect there to be bugs in a first gen device.
Hopefully there will be a next gen version.
Microsoft Surface Duo Teardown
Microsoft has reportedly been working on the Surface Duo for six years. We can probably tear it down in less time than that, but with any brand-new...
www.ifixit.com
I like it. I mean I won't buy it, but I definitely like it. I'm glad companies are creating products that are not like others.
I love your comments. This is why different needs, wants, and opinions make the world a beautiful place. 🙂
I'm looking forward to v3 of this...when they refine the product and reduce the bezels and come up with a way for the software not to suck.
I enjoy a lot about the look and design language, but it really needed to have the world's slickest interface to sell the two side-by-side screens at that price.
Samsung are the winners so far, IMO. Will be interesting to see how the future unfolds (forgive the pun).
I enjoy a lot about the look and design language, but it really needed to have the world's slickest interface to sell the two side-by-side screens at that price.
Samsung are the winners so far, IMO. Will be interesting to see how the future unfolds (forgive the pun).
It's a first gen product and foldables, in general, are in their infancy. At most a nice to have for those who can afford one and or either have a genuine use for them. Good points in the review for sure another one is why make it so wide? It can't be comfortable in a pocket and I would think most that's were people keep there phone a high percentage of the time. I feel like the new galaxy fold also has the opposite size issue, a bit too tall and could be a bit wider.
What got me excited is how thin they got it.
Definitely interesting to see how foldables will continue to evolve though. I wonder if and when Apple will take a crack at them.
What got me excited is how thin they got it.
Definitely interesting to see how foldables will continue to evolve though. I wonder if and when Apple will take a crack at them.
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As Apple prepares to unveil its new iPhone 12 lineup next month, Microsoft has launched the $1,400 Surface Duo, a foldable smartphone that offers two displays and is quite different from anything Apple has to offer.
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We've checked out a few foldable smartphones like Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip, so we thought we'd also take a look at the Surface Duo because foldable smartphones offer interesting new technology that we might eventually see from Apple.
Unlike the Galaxy Fold that offers a single foldable display with the display technology covering the hinge, Microsoft has embraced the foldable design with two separate screens connected by a visible hinge, which is smart because Microsoft's Surface Duo isn't going to have the durability and creasing issues that have been seen with Samsung's devices.
The Surface Duo is well built and a lot of attention was paid to the design of the hinge, which is no surprise given the price point. The Surface Duo and the hinge in particular feel high quality, and this is a foldable smartphone that resembles a premium, futuristic device. Even with two 5.6-inch screens (8.1 inches combined), the Surface Duo is surprisingly thin, but it's the hinge that stands out.
Microsoft did a solid job with the build quality of the Surface Duo, but the device's design is the best part about it because the software doesn't measure up. Microsoft uses Google-designed Android software, and the lack of integration between hardware and software hinder the user experience and it feels unfinished.
The Surface Duo is running a Microsoft-skinned version of Android 10. It offers the Android 10 features and some add-ons designed by Microsoft for the dual screen, but the operating system doesn't feel optimized for this two screen form factor. Microsoft and Google can improve the software over time with updates, of course, but at release, it's not ideal.
Despite the poor software, the Surface Duo offers some notable usage benefits when it comes to productivity. Specific apps can be set up to launch at the same time with App Groups, so you can pair up OneNote and Outlook, a web browser and YouTube, and so on, which is ideal for multitasking, though some apps can also be opened across both screens for doing things like writing an email on one screen while also browsing through your inbox on the other. This feature isn't optimized for all apps though, which is a major downside.
There are several Surface Duo usage modes. Book mode, as the name suggests, is when both screens are opened up like a book. Single Screen Mode lets one of the screens be flipped behind the other for a more traditional smartphone feel, while Compose Mode lets the Surface Duo be flipped into a laptop-like clamshell orientation. There's also a tent mode with the two sides positioned down into a tent shape for watching media content.
For most usage, the Single Screen Mode that has one display stacked on top of the other feels most comfortable because most people aren't going to want to take a photo or chat with someone using a book-like form factor, but it can be useful to have the option to fold out another screen to get work done.
When it comes to specs, the Surface Duo is running year-old tech with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chip, and it's limited to an 11-megapixel camera that's just not impressive when every other smartphone manufacturer is focusing on camera quality. It also has thick bezels that smartphone makers are moving away from, which is worth noting.
Overall, the Surface Duo brings innovation in the smartphone space and we're interested to see where Microsoft's technology goes in the future, but given the $1,400 price point, the software issues, and the overall usability, this is not a device that's suitable for most people and not one that we'd recommend.
There have been some rumors suggesting Apple is exploring a foldable iPhone, and Apple has filed a few patents for foldable smartphone technology, but it's still unclear if this is technology that's going to stick around and if an Apple foldable iPhone will ever come out of the prototyping stage. We don't know when Apple might release a foldable iPhone if one is indeed in the works, but it's definitely not coming in the immediate future.
Article Link: Hands-On With Microsoft's $1,400 'Surface Duo' Dual Display Smartphone
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Think of it like a foldable iPad as opposed to a foldable phone. If there was a way to get rid of the middle strip then that would help. I'm not sure why they highlighted the chunky bezel as Apple users on here rave about the fat bezels in the 2020 iMac 27".
This looks like a new Nintendo 3DS.
Also this is one of the better opinion pieces MR has put out about a released product.
My opnion is this prodicts has 3major issues.
1. Price - possibly too high for what it is.
2. Who is the target audience for this?
For casual content consumers this could work great. But the dual screen prevents a seamless full screen view for anything, like for example video.
Also you are hard locked into two screens. You can't do say a cirtual 1/3rd and 23/rds split or any any other split the app developer wants to do. It's the old blackberry physical keyboard issue Jobs mentioned. The closer to a blank canvas the screen is, the more ability the developers have to tailor their apps, how they want them.
3. How will this work as a phone?
How will this feel using it as an actual phone. Imagine putting something like a New 3DS to your face/ear. That would feel really weird. Lets hope the hinges are not the weakpoint as they were in the 3DS. So you get a flat device to your ear.
Also this image is really telling.
The fact this thing ships with a plastic bracket to hold the device in open (tablet) mode really shows how this devide is trying to cater to everyone and in reality catering to no one. if you want a tablet like device,just have one large screen. However if you want a dual screen New 3DS like device then go for that. The hybrid option really doesn't work because it just displays the worst of both worlds.
My conclusions
If this was less expansive oriented phone, say around the $750US mark then I'd really understand what this would be aimed at. To me this kind of device looks like the perfect Phone Pro. As in it's perfect for things like calendars, emails, note taking, contacts etc etc. All the things the people who just want a phone to be a phone for. Also it's perfect for those professionals who want a phone/calendar/contact device and to their heavy lifting/primary work on another device.
If this was $750US, then it'd be serious competition to the iPhone SE2. But as it stands now it doesn't really appeal to anyone. It's hard to do actual work on it, because you need the full screen (ie the apps you use need it) or you really want what this product is great at but that's so not worth $1400US.
I am aware MS has tried to release a New 3DS like Phone for a really long time. Possibly even before the 3DS was released. It's been a long time. MS had a few failures along the way but now it's released. I just think it's a great concept but not that useful of a product.
As a smaller calendar/contacts device it'd be a hit. But as it stands it's a jack of all trades and master of nothing.
Also this is one of the better opinion pieces MR has put out about a released product.
My opnion is this prodicts has 3major issues.
1. Price - possibly too high for what it is.
2. Who is the target audience for this?
For casual content consumers this could work great. But the dual screen prevents a seamless full screen view for anything, like for example video.
Also you are hard locked into two screens. You can't do say a cirtual 1/3rd and 23/rds split or any any other split the app developer wants to do. It's the old blackberry physical keyboard issue Jobs mentioned. The closer to a blank canvas the screen is, the more ability the developers have to tailor their apps, how they want them.
3. How will this work as a phone?
How will this feel using it as an actual phone. Imagine putting something like a New 3DS to your face/ear. That would feel really weird. Lets hope the hinges are not the weakpoint as they were in the 3DS. So you get a flat device to your ear.
Also this image is really telling.
The fact this thing ships with a plastic bracket to hold the device in open (tablet) mode really shows how this devide is trying to cater to everyone and in reality catering to no one. if you want a tablet like device,just have one large screen. However if you want a dual screen New 3DS like device then go for that. The hybrid option really doesn't work because it just displays the worst of both worlds.
My conclusions
If this was less expansive oriented phone, say around the $750US mark then I'd really understand what this would be aimed at. To me this kind of device looks like the perfect Phone Pro. As in it's perfect for things like calendars, emails, note taking, contacts etc etc. All the things the people who just want a phone to be a phone for. Also it's perfect for those professionals who want a phone/calendar/contact device and to their heavy lifting/primary work on another device.
If this was $750US, then it'd be serious competition to the iPhone SE2. But as it stands now it doesn't really appeal to anyone. It's hard to do actual work on it, because you need the full screen (ie the apps you use need it) or you really want what this product is great at but that's so not worth $1400US.
I am aware MS has tried to release a New 3DS like Phone for a really long time. Possibly even before the 3DS was released. It's been a long time. MS had a few failures along the way but now it's released. I just think it's a great concept but not that useful of a product.
I really wish it was. That way people could get it an option without the cellular modem. To decrease the cost of this thing. Though a foldable iPad really takes away the main selling point of the iPad, the large screen which developers have full reign over using as they see fit.
As a smaller calendar/contacts device it'd be a hit. But as it stands it's a jack of all trades and master of nothing.
If I was a bigger fan of Android I would buy one for sure. If Apple makes one I’ll preorder. I have wanted this since I saw the Microsoft Courier and the Apple Knowledge Navigator concepts.
Forgive me but the design is kind of 🤢. Big bezels and ugly hinge, picture makes it appear it has a poor quality screen. Plus what is the use case? It's a solid nope for me I'm afraid (IMHO.)
Until technology evolves and foldable OLED displays or such are developed a la the newspaper concept used in "Minority Report", I don't see these being of much use. Hinges on a mobile device bring back memories of flip phones and seem awkward and ill fitting - in my opinion.
I actually think this implementation is better than the Samsung Fold, especially being able to use one screen and fold the other behind. This means you don't need another screen to use like a phone.
As a first generation device, I think it shows promise, but like the Fold its a long way from being an everyday device, and why you won't see Apple in this space for some time (if at all).
As a first generation device, I think it shows promise, but like the Fold its a long way from being an everyday device, and why you won't see Apple in this space for some time (if at all).
How is it a big risk? Microsoft isn’t a hardware company. Any hardware they release is basically risk free. And this is hardware running Android. If it doesn’t work out is anyone going to care? Now Apple releasing AR glasses? That’s risky.
I bought one and I've been both pleasantly surprised and disappointed.
The Good
Hardware is phenomenal like everyone says, it's astonishing how thin and light it feels especially when opened. And considering how wide the screen is, the bottom bezels don't feel as encroaching during usage as they might seem in photos. The camera definitely isn't 2020 flagship level (and I don't think anybody was expecting that) but I also wouldn't say this takes "bad" photos.
Software and launcher has been surprisingly smooth in animations, multitasking, and gesture navigation—especially for Android. When I decided to just try using my Surface pen (after failing to remember how to pair it) and it just worked, I was dumbfounded; easily the most pleasant surprise of them all.
And again, most apps don't support dual screens. But there are also many where it wouldn't make sense for the device, but having two apps side by side can be particularly useful; especially with football season returning it's nice to have Twitter up on one and scores/stats/Wikipedia up on the other.
The Bad
What I don't think has been mentioned enough is just how bad the speakers are, especially for a device that would presumably be used for Skype/Teams calls in a business setting; but maybe that's intentional so they can sell more Surface Headphones?
Maybe most disappointing has been the way the software translates the inputs from the gyroscopes; it's super nice when you get it into the "laptop" configuration but the software seems to be most sensitive in that posture and almost overcorrects to the "book" mode at the slightest of movements. If it were as quick to reposition itself back it wouldn't be so annoying, but it's almost like the device is apprehensive about being in that position?
The Ugly
xCloud really is amazing; not perfect, but amazing. And I know it's an enterprise-focused device, but it feels like a huge missed opportunity that the unused screen doesn't become a virtual controller when playing games. Having said that, it's still really cool but it would be the ultimate "bathroom" device if you could just start playing without needing to bring a controller with you.
The Good
Hardware is phenomenal like everyone says, it's astonishing how thin and light it feels especially when opened. And considering how wide the screen is, the bottom bezels don't feel as encroaching during usage as they might seem in photos. The camera definitely isn't 2020 flagship level (and I don't think anybody was expecting that) but I also wouldn't say this takes "bad" photos.
Software and launcher has been surprisingly smooth in animations, multitasking, and gesture navigation—especially for Android. When I decided to just try using my Surface pen (after failing to remember how to pair it) and it just worked, I was dumbfounded; easily the most pleasant surprise of them all.
And again, most apps don't support dual screens. But there are also many where it wouldn't make sense for the device, but having two apps side by side can be particularly useful; especially with football season returning it's nice to have Twitter up on one and scores/stats/Wikipedia up on the other.
The Bad
What I don't think has been mentioned enough is just how bad the speakers are, especially for a device that would presumably be used for Skype/Teams calls in a business setting; but maybe that's intentional so they can sell more Surface Headphones?
Maybe most disappointing has been the way the software translates the inputs from the gyroscopes; it's super nice when you get it into the "laptop" configuration but the software seems to be most sensitive in that posture and almost overcorrects to the "book" mode at the slightest of movements. If it were as quick to reposition itself back it wouldn't be so annoying, but it's almost like the device is apprehensive about being in that position?
The Ugly
xCloud really is amazing; not perfect, but amazing. And I know it's an enterprise-focused device, but it feels like a huge missed opportunity that the unused screen doesn't become a virtual controller when playing games. Having said that, it's still really cool but it would be the ultimate "bathroom" device if you could just start playing without needing to bring a controller with you.
A lot of negativity about this product where when no one has experience with it. I agree the price point isn’t attractive, but this is the ‘change up’ I think the smart phone world needs. And given what we are seeing with smart phones breaching over $1100, I would gladly pay the extra $300 to have this experience if the hardware quality standards and software experience meshes perfectly together.
I actually like the idea. But I'd really like to see a more sophisticated hinge to bring the screens right next to each other; plus get rid of the bezels on the hinge edge of both screens.
It'd be far more durable than a folding single screen, and I think people's brains would quickly learn to ignore a small gap.
It'd be far more durable than a folding single screen, and I think people's brains would quickly learn to ignore a small gap.
That’s unfortunate. The software is the ultimate experience, not the hardware. The hardware is the immediate attraction, but if the software is falling short, it will take away severely of the immersive experience with a product like this.