Microsoft Surface Duo Set to Arrive September 10 For $1,399

[MacRumors]

Microsoft will launch its Surface Duo dual-screen Android phone on September 10, with prices starting at $1,399. Pre-orders will begin today at AT&T, Best Buy, and the Microsoft online store.

The Surface Duo features two 4:3 OLED displays that are connected side by side with a hinge. Each display is 5.6 inches in size, which results in a 3:2 8.1-inch overall tablet-style screen size.

You can hold the device like a book, using one side for one app and the other side for another app, or you can fold them up into a more traditional form factor. They can also be unfolded into a notebook shape if desired. The device has two batteries under each display with a total capacity of 3577mAh, which Microsoft says equates to an "all day battery life."

The Surface Duo has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, 6GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. LTE is available on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, but there is no support for 5G. Surface Duo supports Microsoft's Surface pens and comes with a protective bumper cover.

The device has a single 11-megapixel f/2.0 camera, which will include software modes for low light, HDR multi-frame captures, and a "super zoom" up to 7x. Both 4K and 1080p video recording are supported at 30fps and 60fps, with electronic image stabilization.

The Surface Duo runs a heavily skinned version of Android, and any Android app will run on the device without modification. Developers will be able to optimize the layout of their apps to take advantage of the dual displays. Microsoft is also using specifically-designed algorithms to instruct apps to open on the correct display depending on the user's needs.

The Surface Duo was unveiled in October 2019, alongside its larger sibling, the Surface Neo. The release date of the Surface Neo, Microsoft's larger tablet-sized foldable device with a similar design to the Duo, is as yet unknown. The Surface Neo is expected to run Windows 10X, a new custom software based on Windows 10, but designed for dual display devices.

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MacRumors videographer Dan was in attendance at the October event and saw both newly announced products. Watch an overview over on our YouTube channel.

Article Link: Microsoft Surface Duo Set to Arrive September 10 For $1,399

 

[hypertoast]

Ahha. This looks interesting!

 

[meddow]

Can’t wait for uk release!

 

[j_maddison]

If each display is 5.6" in size, those models must have the smallest hands I've ever seen!!!!! All joking aside, as a business phone user I'm quite exited at the form factor of foldable phones. It would mean I possibly wouldn't have to carry a separate device to meetings. it's just a shame a device like the Textblade never came to market, because that would be the perfect set up for quick typing on the go.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I'll wait for the Trio.

 

[MakeAppleAwesomeAgain]

Looks like a weird first-gen iPad mini prototype.

 

[LeeW]

underwhelming when you look at the spec, no NFC? WTF.

 

[rmoliv]

Looks outdated design wise and who wants a "phone" that big?

 

[dlewis23]

It’s interesting but a bit too expensive for those specs. Why does it not have a snapdragon 865?
[automerge]1597238408[/automerge]

Looks outdated design wise and who wants a "phone" that big?

A lot of people do like big phones. That’s why the Max sized iPhones sell so well and why it’s likely going to get even bigger this year.

 

[Rogifan]

If Apple released something that looked just like this with these specs sites like the Verge would be crapping all over it. Apparently bezels are only a bad thing when they’re on an Apple device.

 

[satchmo]

I assume the hinge goes both ways so you fold it back.
Otherwise, how would one use it as a phone?

 

[yossi]

They tried this in 2009, lets see if it has better luck this time

Microsoft Cancels Courier Tablet

Microsoft’s dual screen prototype Courier tablet project is dead, even before it could make it out of the company’s research labs. Microsoft has reportedly canceled internal work on the tablet, says Gizmodo. Gizmodo had initially revealed the Courier as a project that Microsoft has been working...

www.wired.com

 

[1144557]

The price is TGH (too goddang high).

Not for a 855 and two 5.6" screens. Im not sure in what world a 3500mah battery driving 2 displays will be all day either. 6gb of RAM also sounds far too little in a modern Android device for a dual display device to be smooth all of the time

This isnt more than a $1000 device at the most.

It's cool looking, but an experimental toy at best. You mine as well get a LG phone with their dual display case; for under $1000.

 

[Spock]

We will be flooded by YouTube videos in October of this thing breaking. And then eventually, comparing it to the iPhone 12. Its sad that Microsoft has given up on mobile operating systems and is just turning into a generic Android OEM.

 

[Jmausmuc]

This will flop harder than Zune and Windows phone.

 

[profets]

Feels so weird to me that its a Microsoft device running Android.

 

[jerryk]

Looks too big to be a pocketable phone and too small to be a tablet.

 

[lenard]

A digital book does not have to be split in half....

 

[Socket Meyer]

Wow. Looks so outdated. Like two iPad minis hinged together. And while I love big screens on phones... ... the device's huge size is a bit ridiculous. Add the mediocre specs and huge price, and it's just not for me. I like having all the high-end modern features, and will sacrifice having dual screens for it. Until it's done properly. One thing's for sure; if Apple released something that looked like this, the world would be in UPROAR about the POS they created.

 

[jerryk]

Feels so weird to me that its a Microsoft device running Android.

Google and Microsoft use each other's technologies in various projects and products. For example, Google's Angular web framework is built on top of Microsoft's Typescript language.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Apple needs to step it up

 

[Biu_miu]

I assume the hinge goes both ways so you fold it back.
Otherwise, how would one use it as a phone?

In the video it does.
With this you can get best from both worlds- too small to be a tablet and too big and clunky to be a practical smartphone.
Kinda fun to see, how companies trie to "outfold" each other, while supporters of those companies goes out of their way to scramble for real life benefits of this design.
I think, majority will agree, smartphones peaked a few years ago, only advancements are these gimmicks. I would be happy for revolution in battery life, rather than having a fold.

 

[DNichter]

I like the idea, but this looks like it was from 5 years ago, it's too small, and it runs Android. Give me this with two iPad Pro's (11 inch), connected by an innovative hinge, with magnets to avoid the screens touching when closed, and I think you would have a compelling product. Only issue is the cost.

 

[nvmls]

Lol Microsoft, come on, who are you kidding with these gimmicks?

 

[DNichter]

Apple needs to step it up

They connected two iPad mini's together, aside from the optimized software and apps. What's the big deal? I like the concept, but this is dated already.