Microsoft Surface Duo The Ultimate DualScreen Experience – Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Microsoft Surface Duo

The Microsoft Surface Duo is a uniquely designed dual-screen device that was released in September 2020. It's a hybrid between a smartphone and a mini-tablet, offering a versatile experience for users who are looking to enhance productivity and multitasking capabilities.

Design and Build

The Surface Duo showcases a unique design with its dual 5.6-inch displays that unfold to form a harmonious 8.1-inch screen. The device features a slim profile with dimensions of 186.9 x 145.2 x 4.8 mm when unfolded and 145.2 x 93.3 x 9.9 mm when folded. Weighing only 250 g, the device is easy to carry around. The glass front and back are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, enhancing durability against scratches and minor impacts.

Display Quality

The Surface Duo's display technology is AMOLED, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The resolution of 1800 x 2700 pixels translates to sharp images and text, while the 3:2 aspect ratio is ideal for reading and browsing. Despite the unconventional design, the device achieves approximately 144.2% screen-to-body ratio, delivering an immersive viewing experience.

Performance

Under the hood, the Surface Duo is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, along with an octa-core CPU and an Adreno 640 GPU. This combination provides ample power for multitasking, gaming, and running several apps smoothly. The device comes with 6GB RAM, which supports efficient performance for various applications.

Storage Options

The Surface Duo offers two storage options: 128GB and 256GB. While there's no support for expandable storage via microSD cards, the available storage should suffice for most users to store apps, documents, and multimedia content.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a single 11 MP camera, the Surface Duo provides decent photography capabilities. The camera supports features like HDR and panorama and can shoot videos in 4K at 30/60fps, as well as 1080p at varying frame rates. Though the device lacks a dedicated selfie camera, users can utilize the main camera for selfies.

Battery Life and Charging

The Surface Duo is powered by a 3577mAh battery, which is relatively modest for a device with two screens. However, the efficiency of the Snapdragon 855 and Android operating system works to extend battery life throughout the day. The device supports 18W wired charging, ensuring a quick top-up time when needed.

Operating System and Software

Out of the box, the Surface Duo runs on Android 10 and is upgradable to Android 12, courtesy of Microsoft's updates. The integration of Microsoft's suite of productivity tools, such as Office and OneDrive, leverages the capabilities of Android to offer a seamless productivity-focused ecosystem.

Connectivity Options

The device supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks for wide coverage, but it does not feature 5G connectivity, which might be a downside for users in regions with strong 5G infrastructure. For wireless connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C 3.1 port, but lacks NFC and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Additional Features and Sensors

The Surface Duo comes equipped with an array of sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual accelerometer, dual gyro, proximity sensor, and dual compass. These enhance the device's security and its adaptability to a range of applications and functionalities.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Surface Duo is a daring step into the dual-screen market, combining productivity and multitasking capabilities in a slim and portable form factor. While it may not cater to every consumer due to its lack of 5G and certain multimedia features, it stands out as an innovative device for professionals and tech enthusiasts looking for versatile usage. Priced at around 650 EUR, it positions itself as a premium offering in a niche market segment.