Microsoft released a new model of the Surface Duo less than a year after the first one. Its top-tier Snapdragon 888 engine, 5G connection, more RAM, more extensive displays, and a triple camera setup are some of the noticeable enhancements that make the premium foldable stand out. The main specifications and features cover in detail below. On Microsoft’s September 22, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 was introduced with Surface Go 3, Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro X (2021), and a brand-new Surface Laptop Studio.
Microsoft’s main priority for the Duo 2 is productivity, much like Samsung’s dual-screen Galaxy Z Fold 3. This is especially true with realistic multitasking across the two displays with Microsoft 365 apps and enhanced camera support and video calls. The Duo 2 is now more gaming-ready thanks to the CPU and RAM upgrades, especially since it already has Xbox Game Pass built-in.
The Surface Duo 2’s release date, price, specifications, and technical information are available here.
What will you see here?
Release date of Microsoft Surface Duo 2
After going on sale, the Surface Duo 2 was introduced on October 21. Compared to the extensive delays with the original, that’s less than one month after it reveals.
There are individually monitoring the top Surface Duo 2 offers in the US and the UK (both on contract & SIM-free).
What is the price of the Microsoft Surface Duo 2:?
The phone comes in two new shades, Obsidian (black) and Glacier (white), and there is also a new 512GB storage option.
The Duo 2 initially cost the same in the UK as its predecessor, yet $100 more in the US. The three configurations are as follows:
- £1,349/$1,499 for 128GB of storage.
- £1,429/$1,599.99 for 256GB of storage.
- $1,799.99 for 512GB of storage (£1,589) (in black only).
However, the device has witnessed some significant price reductions in the US and the UK only a few months after selling. We wouldn’t shock to see the Duo 2 return to these rates anytime soon, which are:
- 128GB storage costs $999.99/£860.
- 256GB storage costs $949.98/£940.
- £1,034/$1,299.99 for 512GB of storage (in black only).
Design & Features
There are a few key areas where Duo 2 differs significantly from the original Duo. Here’s what to anticipate:
Snapdragon 888 5G
The Duo 2’s engine undergoes the most significant upgrade, moving from Snapdragon 855 to a new Snapdragon 888 with 5G. As a result, you can anticipate noticeably quicker core and graphics performance and higher battery efficiency.
Additionally, the device now has 8GB RAM (up from the original Duo’s 6GB), making it even more performance-driven for gaming and multitasking with demanding programs.
Considering how much Microsoft emphasizes the Duo 2’s productivity advantages, the improvement in performance specifications is not surprising. Microsoft claims that the Duo’s dual displays will enable the simultaneous use of two apps, dragging & dropping among screens (in supported apps), the creation of App Groups for your most-used apps, note-taking, and sketching, and optimized display experiences with entertainment apps like TikTok, Kindle, and Spotify.
With 5G, mobile productivity will undoubtedly increase, whether it be for conversations, Microsoft 365 collaboration, or access to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with the Duo acting as an on-screen controller.
Display
The Duo 2 has larger panels but keeps the original Duo’s AMOLED display quality. The single panel expands by a fifth of an inch, measuring 5.8in (13441892) when closed and 8.3in (26881892) when completely open.
Refresh rates also increase; the Duo 2 goes from 60Hz to such an adaptive 90Hz, which is still less than the 120Hz of the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
The phone’s “glance bar” down the back displays all the essential notifications and information, including battery life.
A June 2022 update significantly improved this by adding support for messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. According to Windows Central, it also enhances the Slim Pen 2 stylus’s functionality and photography experience.
Specifications
- 888 Snapdragon 5G.
- Android 11.
- USB-C Fast Charging 23W.
- 4449mAh dual battery (typical).
- PixelSense Fusion Displays in pairs: 8.3-inch AMOLED display (2688 x 1892).
- 5.8-inch AMOLED (13441892) single-pixel sense screen.
- HDR, 100% SRGB, and DCIP3.
- 90Hz adjustable refresh rate on two monitors.
- Maximum brightness: 800 nits.
- Cameras: Rear: 16Mp ultra-wide f/2.2, 12Mp wide f/1.7, and 12Mp telephoto f/2.4, Front: 12Mp f/2.0.
Battery life
According to Microsoft, the Duo 2 has a 4,449mAh battery with All-Day Battery Life. A 3,577mAh battery in the original Duo rate provides up to 15.5 hours of local video playing, 27 hours of conversation time, and ten days of standby time. The maximum chat time slightly increases to 28 hours, while the maximum video playback time is still 15.5 hours.
In addition, Microsoft is increasing the original Duo’s 18W Fast Charging to 23W (sold separately).
Tripple Camera
The triple camera setup of the Duo 2 with a 16 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2 aperture, 110 degrees), 12 MP macro (f/2.4 aperture plus 2x optical zoom & OIS), and 12 MP wide lens (f/1.7 aperture with OIS) is one of the biggest improvements. With an f/2.0 aperture, the front-facing camera has a 12MP sensor.
It is a major improvement over the 11Mp dual-purpose front and back cameras of the original Duo.
HDR footage in 4K is one of the video recording features (at 30fps and 60fps).
Software
The Duo 2 runs Android 11 and has all of the standard Google apps (Assistant, Maps, Calendar, Photos, etc.) in addition to Edge, OneDrive, and Teams, which are essential Microsoft programs.
Early evaluations, however, indicate that software is once more the main issue, thus Microsoft has made a significant update again for Microsoft Surface Duo 2. Without elaborating, Microsoft merely states that the update “improves device stability”. Users have reported a speedier, bug-free experience in the early.
In the comprehensive analysis, the Duo 2’s software was by far its biggest drawback, but that may no longer be the case. Google initially revealed Android 12L in 2021, and it’s intended to make the OS feel more tailored to tablets and foldable devices. The corporation announced that a planned update to products from Samsung, Lenovo, and Microsoft will start “Earlier this year” in a March 2022 blog post. The Duo 2 seems to be the obvious choice, but it might also offer for the Duo from the beginning.
However, according to a new Windows Central video, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is currently in good shape after a number of recent Microsoft software updates. This is good news for current and potential owners of a current generation. Because the company is anticipated to concentrate on software instead of releasing the Duo 3 in 2022.
In a recent video posted to its “Microsoft Mechanics” YouTube channel. Microsoft showcases a few of the Surface Duo 2’s important features:
If you’re a current or potential Duo 2 user, the five-minute clip, which covers design, software, multitasking, and more, is worthwhile to see. You’ll also hear some support for the dual-screen form factor, as research from Microsoft indicates doing so lessens the mental burden compared to utilizing single-screen or foldable devices.
Conclusion
Microsoft stunned the world with Surface Duo. A phone featuring two displays and resembled a digital diary, at the end of 2019. It was the company’s ambitious vision for a contemporary pocketable computing experience. That product thudded onto store shelves a year later. Except for the brave early adopters and risk-takers, it was practically impossible to suggest due to buggy software, a high cost, and seriously inadequate hardware.
The Duo 1 intends to be a portable version of the Surface that ran Windows, not Android, and was based on concepts from years earlier. Later, the idea saves when it was abruptly “converted” to an Android phone. Mary, hail. If you’re wondering why there wasn’t NFC, a subpar camera, no 5G, or an outdated CPU, then look no further.
What transpires then when Microsoft can redesign the hardware entirely knowing that it will be a flagship Android phone in late 2021? Surface Duo 2 and Android 11 are available (an OS slightly more optimized for the dual-screen experience).
The great news is that Surface Duo 2 represents a significant conceptual advancement. With a triple camera array, 90Hz curved screens, NFC, 5G, and the powerful Snapdragon 888. It is more amazing than ever. Additionally, the software improves; it is quicker, snappier, and usually less buggy (more on that later).
The Surface Duo 2 costs $1,500, so it will be difficult to persuade the general public to take a chance. But at least this time, it acts the part, even if it isn’t yet ready for the big leagues.
