Surface Duo 2 review: A huge step in the right direction, but still much work to be done
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C'monday MicrosoftSurface Duo 2 review: A huge footstep in the correct direction, just notwithstanding much work to exist done
Microsoft'due south latest dual-screen Android telephone gets major hardware revisions, which positively alters the experience, but the software still holds information technology back from greatness. 
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
In tardily 2022, Microsoft surprised the earth with its grand idea for a modernistic pocketable calculating experience with Surface Duo, a phone with two displays that resembled a digital diary. A year afterward, that device hit store shelves with a thud. Buggy software, a high toll, and severely defective hardware made it most impossible to recommend except for the assuming early adopters and risk-takers.
Based on ideas from years earlier, the Duo 1 was meant to exist a pocketable Surface that ran a version of Windows, not Android. The concept was later salvaged as it was "converted" to an Android phone in a last-minute Hail Mary. If you wonder why at that place was no NFC, a lousy photographic camera, no 5G, an onetime CPU, well, there you go.
So, what happens when Microsoft can completely redo the hardware knowing information technology'south going to be a flagship Android phone in late 2022? Yous get Surface Duo two with Android eleven (an OS slightly more optimized for the dual-screen experience).
The practiced news is Surface Duo 2 is a giant bound forward in the concept. It is more impressive than ever with a triple camera assortment, 90Hz curved displays, NFC, 5G, and the potent Snapdragon 888. The software is also better — faster, snappier … and generally less buggy (more on that after).
At $1,500, Surface Duo 2 is nevertheless going to accept a tough hill to climb to convince the masses to have the risk, but at least this time, it plays the part, even if information technology's still not ready for the mainstream.
Surface Duo ii
Bottom line: Surface Duo two is a significant improvement over the first-gen with much better hardware, attention to detail, and software that is significantly less buggy. There are still bug to solve, even so, and the high price volition proceed many abroad.
The Good
- Fast, fluid dual-screen Android feel
- 5G, NFC, Snapdragon 888
- Brilliant hardware design
- Larger ninety Hz displays
- Respectable rear cameras
The Bad
- Even more than expensive
- Occasional minor bugs
- No Wireless charging
- Not much for the pen to exercise (all the same)
Surface Duo 2: Price and availability
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
Surface Duo 2 has a starting price of $1,499, a $100 increment over the start Surface Duo's launch price. Even though it costs more, there is too less in the box with no gratuitous bumper case or a Type-C charger brick (though y'all practise get the charger cable).
Optional accessories include the $xl Surface Duo 2 Bumper (redesigned with newer materials), the $65 Surface Duo 2 Pen Cover (pen not included), and the $130 Surface Slim Pen 2. The Surface Duo two Pen Embrace can wirelessly recharge the Surface Slim Pen 1 or two and hold information technology in place with magnets. The pen also sticks to Surface Duo 2 without the cover, but information technology won't wirelessly recharge.
The device is available in more countries at launch compared to the first generation, however, and is expected to get-go shipping on October 21 in the post-obit markets:
- The states
- Uk
- Canada
- France
- Deutschland
- Australia
Surface Duo two can exist had in Glacier White or Obsidian Black (new) colors, in either 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage configurations. The pricing for each spec is $1,499, $ane,599, and $i,799 respectively.
Surface Duo two: Hardware and design
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Surface Duo 2 looks like the first version save for the new (fingerprint-prone) obsidian blackness colorway from far abroad. Simply picking up the Duo 2, information technology is immediately credible that this is non the aforementioned telephone as last yr. Microsoft completely rebuilt every attribute of Surface Duo 2, and it is all for the better.
On the outside of Surface Duo 2 is Corning Gorilla Drinking glass, and on the within, Corning Victus — the toughest drinking glass there is currently. That glass at present slightly curves at the edges in a "2D" falloff reminiscent of Nokia Lumia screens. The result is Duo ii feels softer in the hands with fewer hard edges compared to the offset-gen. Microsoft also reworked the frame and materials used for the entire phone with better seals, making it more than resistant to damage. This includes a reinforced Blazon-C port, which is now in the middle. In that location is even rudimentary IPX1 water protection.
The device is a scrap thicker at v.5mm opened instead of 4.8mm (11mm and 9.9mm airtight, respectively), but it's only noticeable if you lot direct compare Duo 2 to its predecessor. The weight increases from 250 grams to 284, making information technology slightly heavier than Samsung's Galaxy Fold 3 (271g).
Duo 2 spreads its bulk out more evenly compared to regular phones, making it less like an ballast in your pocket. That size and weight increase are due to the larger battery, which jumps from 3,577mAh to 4,449mAh, needed to ability the 90Hz displays (up from 60Hz) and much faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor (vs. Snapdragon 855).
Ironically, that added weight and thickness piece of work in the Duo 2's favor. The showtime Duo was nigh likewise thin, making it experience frail, which the included bumper case helped alleviate. Surface Duo 2 feels more substantial and less delicate, making the bumper experience non-essential.
Even the hinges are new with Surface Duo 2. Despite existence an engineering science marvel in how thin they are and housing the wiring for both displays, the Duo i'due south hinges a very lightly click if you quickly opened the screens, which some users confused with breakage. That's gone now every bit the Duo 2's hinges are smoother with slightly more resistance — opening it up is even more satisfying, which is a notable achievement.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
On the rear is the most significant deviation with a new triple-camera array with ultra-wide, wide, and telephoto. Assisting those lenses is a flash and fourth dimension-of-flight sensor for focusing assistance.
While there is a hump, the housing is angled to help when opposite-folding the Duo 2's displays. Many people have wondered how it feels when used this way, and it was no consequence. Odd? Sure. Does it prevent usage? Nah. Indeed, the device has a satisfying "clap" when switched to this position, with the lenses being slightly recessed to protect them. It's a compromise blueprint, indeed, but arguably the chief complaint of Duo 1 was the terrible camera state of affairs, which this solves.
Internally, in that location is withal a front-facing camera (minus the flash) for selfies and, more likely, video calls.
The Surface Slim Pen i and 2 now magnetically stick to the front end cover. While it seemed similar y'all could do with Duo i, it was but a side-outcome of the device'southward magnets. This time, information technology is intentional, and the magnets are respectably strong (the Pen Comprehend's are even more strong).
| Category | Surface Duo 2 |
|---|---|
| Os | Android 11 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Network | Wi-Fi vi 802.11ax (2.4/5GHz) Bluetooth v.1 LTE: 4x4 MIMO, Cat twenty DL / Cat thirteen UL | Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac (ii.4/5GHz) Bluetooth 5.0 LTE: 4x4 MIMO, Cat.18DL / True cat 5 UL |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM |
| Network bands | FDD-LTE: one,2,3,iv,5,7,8,12,13,14,19,twenty,25, 26,28,29,xxx,38,39,twoscore,41,42,46,48,66,71 WCDMA: one,2,5,8 GSM/GPRS: GSM-850, East-GSM-900, DCS-1800, PCS-1900 |
| Display | Single: 5.8 inches (1892x1344), 401 PPI, iv:3 aspect ratio Dual: 8.three inches (2688x1892), 401 PPI, 3:ii aspect ratio AMOLED, HDR, 800 nits, 90Hz |
| Retentiveness | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Camera | Front-facing: 12MP, ƒ/ii.0, 24mm, 1.0um Rear-facing wide: 12MP, ƒ/1.7, 27mm, 1.4um Rear-facing telephoto: 12MP, ƒ/2.iv, 51mm, i.0um Rear-facing ultra-wide: 16MP, ƒ/ii.ii, 13mm, 1.0um |
| Audio | Stereo speaker |
| Security | Fingerprint reader |
| Ports | USB-C three.2 (Gen ii) |
| IPX Rating | Yes, IPX1 |
| Bombardment | 4,449mAh Fast Charging |
| Dimensions | Open: 145.2mm (H) ten 184.5mm (West) x 5.5mm (T) Airtight: 145.2mm (H) ten 92.1mm (Due west) x 11mm (T at hinge) |
| Weight | 284g |
| Color | Glacier Obsidian |
The SIM tray is also at present on the bottom edge and centered opposing the Type-C port. It's a single nano-SIM slot, although Surface Duo 2 supports simultaneous eSIM usage too, which is another change.
The side book rockers feel untouched, which is OK. Microsoft correctly combined the power button and fingerprint reader into 1, which makes more sense. It'south an excellent reader too — fast, reliable. Double pressing that power push button when Surface Duo 2 is airtight enables the wink to be used every bit a flashlight; the aforementioned office launches the photographic camera when the device is opened. You tin can plow this off in settings, just it'south a crafty touch.
Audio is markedly improved. Whereas before the was a single speaker (in add-on to the one for phone calls), in that location are now ii (plus one for phone calls). Microsoft puts one on the summit left display, and on the right, it's at the bottom, which helps sound rest regardless of the Surface Duo 2's postures. Information technology'south an immersive consequence when using both displays. Notwithstanding, on a Microsoft Team's call, they were unusually repose compared to playing a YouTube video or listening to music on Spotify, which was loud and vibrant. The audio works well when the device is closed, also, and is intended to be used that manner if listening to music with no worsening in quality.
NFC and Google Pay FTW. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Bluetooth jumps from 5.0 to 5.ane with AAC support. Many people had issues with Bluetooth on Surface Duo 1 with inconsistent and deteriorated performance. I had no such concerns utilizing Microsoft'due south Surface Earbuds, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, and use with the Tesla Model iii. With the Buds 2, I could walk 25 feet into some other room and even so had audio playing without missing a beat out.
In that location is now NFC built into the left display to be used for Google Pay. Simply reverse fold Surface Duo two with the device unlocked, and you lot can brand a payment. It works equally expected.
Being unlocked, Surface Duo 2 works on any network with 5G. 5G tin can hateful anything from blazing fast speeds to slightly faster than LTE, depending on your carrier and location. Using T-Mobile in downtown Marlborough, MA, I pulled 39.nine Mbps down and 54.two Mbps upwardly, which isn't bad.
If I could charge per unit Surface Duo 2's hardware, it'd become an A+. If y'all tin get yourself to a Best Buy to try a brandish model, I encourage y'all to practice and so.
So good
Surface Duo 2: Displays and pen
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Opening Surface Duo ii, you're greeted with two five.viii inches (1892x1344) AMOLED HDR glass displays that combine to form a larger viii.three inches (2688x1892) 1 with 401 pixels-per-inch (PPI). That's an increment from last year's 5.6-inch display (viii.one-inch total). It's noticeably larger. Those bezels are slimmer as well. New this year is a college 90Hz refresh rate, which, combined with the faster CPU, makes the whole device more responsive. Y'all cannot disable 90Hz and drib downward to 60Hz to save battery.
Peak effulgence is a decent 800 nits, just plenty to utilise outdoors in sunlight (below the i,000+ nits of Samsung and Apple tree's latest). The screens are glossy, too, but like shooting fish in a barrel to overlook due to the sharpness.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
I don't want to mince words, and I'll but say these screens are tremendous. The color, contrast, and sizes make them zilch like whatever other device on the market place.
While Fold 3 spans 7.half-dozen-inches with 374 PPI, the Duo two's are larger (viii.3-inches) and higher resolution (401 PPI). Samsung wins on the 120 Hz refresh, although I'd fence annihilation over xc Hz has diminishing returns compared to the jump from 60 Hz. Plus, Microsoft uses glass displays versus Samsung'south plastic.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The Duo 2'due south displays now curve inwards like how paper in a book bends, complementing the analogy that Surface Duo two is like a digital moleskin. The curves assist in multiple ways and aren't just for looks. The effective viewing area between the two screens is at present closer than the original Duo, with only 67 pixels being obscured, down from 84 pixels letting you see more uninterrupted content.
Considering the curved screens prove a tiny portion when the device is closed, Microsoft utilizes this as a secondary external display called Glance Bar.
While not as effective as Samsung's outer screen, this Glance bar shows notifications for missed calls, SMS, and voicemails. It also displays a pulsing blueish bar for an incoming call and uses a dissimilar animation for an incoming text. A green bar reveals the bombardment level when plugging into recharge, while a white bar appears when altering book and playing audio. Striking the ability button turns on the bar indicating the current fourth dimension and any missed notifications. It's an imaginative solution that helps the utility of Duo 2'southward odd class gene.
So curvey ... Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Microsoft has not opened the Glance Bar'south APIs up to third parties or other apps, simply it told the press information technology is investigating the idea.
The Surface Slim Pen 2 is not included, although if you lot have a Slim Pen 1, yous tin can use that too. While Slim Pen 2 supports haptics in Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Duo 2 does non, although Microsoft is studying it (translation: don't expect it).
I wish there were more to say about the pen. The Bluetooth button still does aught. At that place aren't many Android apps that make use of it. Microsoft didn't ship Outlook and Photos with inking support for this review, although the latter looks very useful. I suppose Whiteboard supports it, just information technology's only open for EDU accounts, so I can't tell you anything about information technology. You can use the pen in OneNote, and Slim Pen 2 glides similar a dream in information technology — it feels meliorate than a Surface PC. Only that's almost it.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Microsoft should at least bring its Periodical app over to Android if it expects anyone to take inking and Surface Duo seriously. And maybe another five apps. Samsung at least went all out with Due south Pen software, fifty-fifty if half of it is gimmicky. Right now, inking is nevertheless an reconsideration on Surface Duo 2. Bummer.
These hybrid moments
Surface Duo ii: Software
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Hardware was only part of the trouble with Surface Duo i. But it was software that actually ruined the feel of the starting time device. A lot of that is on Android 10, which is not built for dual screens. Duo 2 at least ships with Android eleven and, when combined with that ameliorate hardware, delivers a much-improved experience.
Interestingly, Microsoft is now leaning heavily into gaming, photography, and having fun with Surface Duo 2 — things all downplayed and ignored with the first version. Information technology's a good move.
New is the ability to choose specific apps to "auto span," i.due east., open the app to the dual-display fashion by default. Such a feature makes sense for Amazon Kindle, Microsoft Outlook, OneNote, and Google Photos. Found nether Settings, users throw a toggle to enable or disable it for each app.
Amazon Kindle is amazing. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
Gameloft is on board this year, with Cobblestone 9 being preinstalled. But this version, along with Modern Gainsay 5 and Dungeon Hunter 5 (separate downloads), is now customized to support dual-screen usage.
I'm not a typical mobile gamer, but Gameloft nailed the concept here. Asphalt 9 displays a map of the race on the bottom screen along with bear upon controls. Dungeon Hunter five also shows the map, bear on controls, and dialogue with NPCs. None of it feels superfluous — Gameloft gave serious idea to utilizing a second display and delivered. And it's not merely main gameplay; all levels where yous customize your character (or car), choose levels, etc., all use the second display in ingenious ways.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Microsoft heavily plugs its value-driven Xbox Game Laissez passer with cloud game streaming. They're right to do so every bit in that location are at present 113 premium games that people tin can stream to Surface Duo 2 that utilize on-screen touch controls. It's an impressive accomplishment. Don't like touch controls? Only pair up an Xbox Ane controller and put Duo 2 into tent style.
There is still the power to pair apps — launching two apps simultaneously, i on each display. I pair my FedEx + UPS apps (Shipping), Eufy + Ring (Security), Google Maps + Yelp (Food), as well as Slack + Telegram (Work) to grab upwards on content that's important to me with a single touch.
Possibly the most impressive is Microsoft rebuilt the camera and photos apps. Whereas Surface Duo 1 was a terrible camera experience, Duo two fully embraces it. Launching the camera app, on the right side is the viewfinder (live image) and on the left is the photographic camera roll. Snap a pic, and information technology quickly pops up on the left and then you can review information technology. Tap the edit push, and that photograph shifts to the right display, and at present on the left, yous have a whole editing suite. I was impressed with the edit functions, filters, and tools, negating my typical Google Photos or third-party apps usage. Information technology's an excellent app.
New Photographic camera and Photos app. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
A standalone Microsoft Photos app is likewise part of OneDrive. Past default, it shows all the on-device photos, separating them by photographic camera roll, screenshots, and downloads where you tin edit or share. With a unmarried tap, yous get admission to all your OneDrive, shared files, and more. It worked seamlessly.
Microsoft reworked the notification shade to exist wider and put in sliders for volume and display brightness. The thought is if you're using Surface Duo 2 in tent mode, you tin can at present swipe and adjust the volume instead of lifting the device to reach the concrete controls.
Swiping to the left, you get the "feed" area where news, weather, calendar, and other widgets are viewable. Weather and news widgets are updated to expect more than like those on Windows eleven. Borer a news detail opens Microsoft's new Start app (rebranded News), which also at present supports dual screens (browse the news feed on the left, read a story on the correct).
There's "lift to wake" where the displays plow on if the device is opened but laying apartment. Elevator it, and the screens are awakened. All these Surface Duo-specific configuration options are now found under a subsection in Settings to find easily.
Surface Duo one (rear) vs. Surface Duo two (front). Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Previously, Surface Duo would try to guess which screen you were looking at based on how you were holding the phone in unmarried-screen mode, but that turned out to be as well hard to predict, causing user frustration. Folding Surface Duo 2 Microsoft defaults to the correct brandish. Information technology'due south the right solution, and users tin can always double-tap the left brandish to override it.
Merely while the overall experience is much better with Surface Duo 2, there are yet quirks and growing pains.
Outlook and the Photos app both back up inking or at least will support them. At the fourth dimension of this review, those updates have not been pushed to the press. The apps let you draw in your emails or sketch upwards a photo. They're probably great, but they're non hither yet.
Paired apps, which always worked on Surface Duo one, sometimes fail on Surface Duo 2 with ane app not launching (or being deadening to do so). I've besides had the camera app launch strangely (with the viewfinder and camera roll on the same side). These oddities were rare, simply it shows the difficulty with executing this course factor when you don't build the Os.
Google Maps paired with Yelp. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
There'due south even so some strange system behavior. Tap a news story in the Feed surface area, and it opens the Microsoft Start app (proficient), and information technology auto-spans every bit I've fix information technology (too good), but it'south not the default spanning behavior with the story on one side and news feed on the other. Instead, the story is split across two screens, making it difficult to read (weird).
New Notification shade & controls. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Actually, the Start app and feed areas are all a bit of a mess. Browsing news in dual-screen way is OK, but as before long every bit you movement to other sections in Start similar weather, COVID, wallpaper, videos, etc., none of it is made for dual-screen usage. Even if you disable spanning for Start when you tap a news story in your feed (left side), Starting time opens on the left side too instead of the expected behavior (right side). This weird behavior happens for a lot of content in the feed area.
Amazon'southward Kindle app now requires less fiddling to work on dual screens (it'south prepare upward by default), which is fantabulous. But as soon as you leave the outstanding reading experience and caput to the Kindle Store, the dual-screen setup falls autonomously. Information technology's not a dealbreaker only is an excellent case of how apps can accept these hybrid moments (cue the Misfits).
Though nosotros're on Android 11, and information technology'southward a year after Surface Duo 1, none of Google'due south apps are optimized for dual screens (Photos works simply seems to be more in tablet mode). Letters, Telephone, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, YouTube TV, etc., still don't take reward of the two screens despite Android eleven being amend optimized for the class cistron with improved dev tools.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Many of Microsoft's apps are enhanced for dual screens (OneNote, To Practise, Function, Outlook, Calendar, Teams). However, a few peripheral stragglers like GroupMe, LinkedIn, Authenticator, Translator, and Xbox do non, and others similar Bing and Kickoff, which are partially optimized.
There is besides the more meaning outcome of gestures. I'm withal of the conventionalities that Microsoft'southward sensitivity setting for swipes is besides low, significant y'all demand to exist deliberate in the motion for it to annals. If you desire to brand a fast gesture and slide quickly, y'all may cease up with the wrong activeness. The number of times I've wanted the notification panel only to go search instead is innumerable. Microsoft should offer a gradient tool for users to tune brandish sensitivity (it does for the back gesture).
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
I didn't accept any issues typing using SwiftKey (default keyboard), but I have heard from other reviewers who did, which may tie into what I call back is the low sensitivity outcome related to gestures. The bottom line is that for some people, touch feels a bit off on Surface Duo ii, a like problem on Surface Duo 1. Hard to explain, probable only as hard to solve.
Likewise, for Microsoft Launcher, there is little else to written report. At that place are still zip customization options with no themes, no power to modify gestures, change icons, etc. Information technology'due south a bit weird that Launcher has not gained whatsoever new functionality after a whole twelvemonth and simply modestly improved the experience.
Microsoft's Your Phone, which lets y'all wirelessly manage notifications, calls, photos, and more, works well, but the "new" version is not here yet. At that place is still no per-app streaming similar how it works with Samsung devices and instead is nevertheless screen mirroring, which is not every bit constructive or convenient.
Pretty darn fast
Surface Duo 2: Performance and battery
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Surface Duo two packs the venerable Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 8GB of RAM and betwixt 128GB and 512GB of storage. Apps fly open up, switching is near instant, and it's like night and day between the previous model. I wouldn't mind 12GB of RAM, which is the standard for premium Android phones, but 8GB is a step up from 6GB in Surface Duo 1.
On Geekbench five, Surface Duo 2 scored 1,094 on single-core and 3,476 on multi-core, whereas Surface Duo one only squeaked out 737 on a single-core score and ii,815 for multi-core. Comparatively, Surface Duo two blows by the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon 888), Galaxy Fold iii, and every other Android phone available today except for the OnePlus 9 Pro (i,130). For OpenCL (4,679) and Vulkan (4,411), Surface Duo two is ahead of all other Snapdragon 888 phones by a lot.
Source: Windows Fundamental
Turning to AnTuTu, which measures CPU, GPU, memory, and UX combined, Surface Duo 2 still does well but falls slightly behind Galaxy Z Fold three. Nosotros can conclude that the CPU performance is exceptionally good with Surface Duo two, whereas the overall performance is to a higher place average (beating 78% of other Android phones).
Bombardment life is decent just not extraordinary, although when you lot consider the processor and running dual 90Hz brandish, peradventure it is impressive. Over a 14-hour day with a 40-minute Microsoft Teams video call, 40 minutes of TikTok, and another 3 hours of general usage (email, notifications, Telegram, camera, Twitter, Slack), I had 15% battery left, putting screen-on-fourth dimension near the 4-hour mark. Of course, that'southward non a controlled examination with varying display brightness and workloads.
Source: Windows Cardinal
Over nearly a week of heavy usage, I was nearing close to 5 hours of screen-on-fourth dimension with typical not-video call workloads (email, web, Slack, Telegram, SMS, phone, camera, Twitter, etc.) and often finished the day with 30% remaining battery. That makes this a daily-accuse device and not multi-solar day.
Luckily, the quick-accuse feature works remarkably well, gaining 16% every 10 minutes on the charger, or about l% in thirty minutes.
Surface Duo 2 does not have Qi wireless charging, unfortunately. When asked, Microsoft is interested in the idea for hereafter versions but already was tight on space with 5G, NFC, and a bigger battery. Maybe next time.
Surface Duo 2: Cameras
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Microsoft packed three rear cameras onto the dorsum, and while some may accept issue with the look, as someone who used Surface Duo ane for the concluding yr, I'm not bothered in the slightest. The tradeoff in flat design for these cameras is worth it. Yeah, there's a slight wobble when it lays flat, simply you lot can at present take pictures of your pets or snap a pic at night and non recoil in horror.
The three cameras have the following specs:
- Wide: 12MP, ƒ/one.7, 27mm, 1.4um
- Telephoto: 12MP, ƒ/2.4, 51mm, one.0um
- Ultra-wide: 16MP, ƒ/2.2, 13mm, 1.0um
The megapixel count is on the depression side these days as some phones similar the RealMe GT Master Edition Explorer feature a 50MP Sony sensor, so zooming in brings out the pixels.
Microsoft enlisted Morpho, a Japanese imaging visitor that leverages AI and deep learning for photograph processing. The results paid off. While the alive image is often just OK, the postal service-processed photo has a nice residue of colors, exposure, and contrast. See for yourself in the gallery below (all images untouched):
The standard fare of camera features includes deadening-mo, video, photo, portrait, and panorama. Fifty-fifty a new night fashion takes a slightly more prolonged exposure that merges with shorter ones, as found on many Android phones. The overall feel is a considerable improvement over Surface Duo 1, which absolutely isn't proverb much.
Comparatively, these cameras feel more than on par with a mid-range phone from 2022, still falling behind Samsung and Apple'due south best in 2022, merely it often holds its own confronting my iPhone 12 mini, which is more than I was expecting.
Photographing my cat, the Surface Duo 2 properly exposed the window and slightly overexposed Zoe. Whereas the iPhone got the window correct but underexposed the bailiwick. Neither photo looks impressive. But this is a challenging photograph for any camera to principal due to the intensely backlit scene (direct sunlight) and the contrasting glaze of the cat (difficulty metering). I'll accept the Duo 2'south image over the iPhone's.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
Depression-light besides does well, although you run into more grain and noise than an iPhone 12 mini.
Video is satisfactory thanks to hardware image stabilization, and it can shoot 1080P xxx or 60 FPS and 4K 30 or 60 FPS. It'll struggle a flake in brightly lit scenes to recoup for exposure, only it's still miles ahead of Surface Duo one.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
The bottom line is compared to Surface Duo 1, Microsoft has made a terrific attempt at improving the photographic camera experience. The new array on the rear may not be pretty, but I now no longer need to take my iPhone 12 mini every bit a secondary phone. It pales compared to top-tier 2022 flagship phones, but those phones also don't accept dual screens, and so at that place's that. I doubt anyone volition criticize these pics existence posted on social media for existence of poor quality.
Not much else
Surface Duo ii: Competition
Source: Windows Central
In many ways, Surface Duo 2 has no straight contest. At that place are no other dual-screen devices relieve for Surface Duo 1, trading around the $400 mark these days. While that phone is expecting Android 11 earlier the stop of the year, no software can solve the limited hardware feel. Nevertheless, if you're looking for a "starter" dual-screen phone to use as an Android mini-tablet or superb Kindle reader, it could be fun as a secondary device.
Samsung's Galaxy Fold iii is the next logical choice and the overall safe bet. On the third generation, Samsung has more often than not figured out the Fold 3's blueprint and characteristic set. While the cameras haven't inverse this year, the technology has around information technology, including back up for the S Pen, which is welcomed. Still, the Fold iii starts at $1,799 — $300 more than Surface Duo 2 — and at that place are still some questions regarding that folding screen and reliability (Samsung has a decent warranty, at to the lowest degree). To no i'south surprise, bombardment life is likewise on the weaker side, but Samsung's software experience is more refined than Microsoft'south.
Frustrating but good
Surface Duo 2: Should you lot buy it?
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
You should buy this if ...
- Yous liked Surface Duo 1
- You lot want a dual-screen phone
- You want a device that sits between a telephone and a laptop
- You lot similar the Microsoft ecosystem and Surface
You shouldn't buy this if...
- You don't practice work on your phone
- You don't like using ii hands for your phone
- $ane,500 seems way too much
- Yous need a bug-gratis software experience
In that location's a lot to unpack with Surface Duo 2. Let's start with the most controversial question: Why fifty-fifty use it? The advantages for a dual-screen should be obvious; if non, answer the post-obit:
- Why have dual displays for a desktop PC?
- Why snap apps side-by-side in Windows?
- Why apply a portable screen for your laptop when traveling?
- Why purchase a phone with a larger display?
The answer to all these inquiries is simple: You can see more information and multi-chore easier. That'southward the same principle behind Surface Duo, and it'southward why it resonates with then many people. It's not whatsoever more complicated than that; it'southward not a profound riddle. Conversely, yous should also figure out that non anybody needs those higher up choices — some people similar small-scale phones or a single screen for their PC. That'south OK likewise.
As far as its place in tech, Surface Duo ii sits between a phone and my Ultrabook. That's its value — think of it equally a pocketable laptop. When I have information technology, I'1000 far less probable to hop on to the PC to do work, manage socials, conversation in Slack or Telegram, etc. Toss in reading (Kindle) and gaming (Xbox Game Pass, Gameloft), and you lot have a new manner to feel the modernistic digital wonders.
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
I still believe Microsoft is on the correct rails with Surface Duo two and the theory that some people prefer a device like this. I'm one of them; I love the darn matter. And Duo 2 goes a long manner in making up for the outdated specs and missing features found in the outset version. As a fan of the concept, Surface Duo two is what I wanted for specs and blueprint.
Where Microsoft is failing is the software and back up. True, Surface Duo 2 is launching in a much better state than the first iteration, but people who bought Surface Duo 1 are all the same waiting on Android 11. That's just not adequate. There are likewise the bugs, occasional software glitches, and some missing animations with Duo 2 that many people will find off-putting. And what well-nigh Android 12? Is information technology going to be another year before Surface Duo 2 gets it? The company has a lot to show to win over consumers and even fans. (Microsoft promises three years of updates for what information technology's worth.)
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These kinds of questions make it still hard to recommend Surface Duo 2 for regular folks, although there are far fewer dealbreakers this fourth dimension. Fans of Surface Duo 1 will be pleased with the new hardware, just Microsoft cannot just sell this device to some hardcore devotees forever.
Should Microsoft proceed with Surface Duo? Admittedly. Version 2 feels very much like the middle of a story — it's coming into focus, improving in many areas, and making a lot of progress — merely more needs to happen to complete the tale.
Don't let anyone tell you differently: Surface Duo 2 is a huge improvement over the first model. But the actual Surface Duo feel is waiting for another chapter, making Surface Duo ii a nice milestone but still a novelty for many.
If you're on the fence, y'all don't need to take my word (or any other reviewer'due south). Microsoft lets you lot effort Surface Duo 2 for 60 days via its Surface Promise. About people volition know within a week if it's for them or not. If the cost drops during that period, Microsoft volition refund the deviation upon request.
As for me? I'yard not giving up Surface Duo ii. My iPhone 12 mini is at present on gym duty, and the Z Flip three will be sold off because I'm a convert, and I won't repent for that.
Surface Duo 2
Bottom line: Surface Duo 2 is a significant improvement over the outset-gen with much better hardware, attention to item, and software that is significantly less buggy. There are nevertheless issues to solve, even so, and the high toll will go along many away.
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Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Central. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later on Windows Phone Cardinal). His interests include Windows, Surface, laptops, and mod computing. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-duo-2-review
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