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Microsoft Surface Duo 2 The Complete Specs & Review Guide

Release Date
2021, October 21
Camera
16MP
Battery
4449mAh
Battery Type
23W
Processor
Snapdragon 888 5G
Screen
8.3"
Storage
128GB/256GB/512GB
Ram
8GB RAM
Operating System
Android 11

Design and Build Quality

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is a testament to premium design and cutting-edge technology. The device features a unique dual-screen design that unfolds into an impressive 8.3-inch canvas. When folded, its dimensions are 145.2 x 92.1 x 11 mm, while unfolded, it measures 184.5 x 145.2 x 5.5 mm. Weighing 284 grams, it strikes a balance between durability and portability.

Microsoft has chosen high-quality materials for the Surface Duo 2. The device's glass front and back are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, ensuring robustness against scratches and drops. The hinge mechanism is engineered to be smooth and durable, allowing the device to be used in a variety of modes, from tent mode for watching videos to book mode for reading and productivity tasks.

Display

The Surface Duo 2 boasts a dual AMOLED display setup that provides stunning visuals. Each screen measures 5.8 inches individually, with a combined unfolded screen size of 8.3 inches and a resolution of 1892 x 2688 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 401 ppi. The screens support HDR and peak at 800 nits brightness, ensuring clarity even in bright sunlight.

With a 90Hz refresh rate, the display offers smooth scrolling and responsive touch inputs, enhancing the overall user experience, whether for gaming, productivity, or media consumption.

Performance

Powered by Qualcomm's advanced SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G chipset built on a 5 nm process, the Surface Duo 2 ensures top-tier performance. Its octa-core processor, featuring a mix of Cortex-X1, Cortex-A78, and Cortex-A55 cores, delivers balanced performance and energy efficiency. The Adreno 660 GPU enables the device to handle graphic-intensive tasks with ease.

With 8GB of RAM, multitasking is seamless, allowing users to run multiple apps concurrently without lag. Available in three storage variants—128GB, 256GB, and 512GB—the Surface Duo 2 provides ample space for apps, media, and documents. It is important to note that it does not include a memory card slot for expandable storage.

Camera System

The Surface Duo 2 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 12MP wide lens with Dual Pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP telephoto lens with PDAF, OIS, and 2x optical zoom, and a 16MP ultrawide lens. Additionally, a TOF 3D sensor supports depth sensing, enhancing portrait shots with precise bokeh effects.

This camera array is capable of capturing high-resolution 4K video at 30 or 60fps, along with 1080p video at various frame rates, complete with gyro-EIS for stability. The 12MP front camera takes sharp selfies and supports 1080p video recording at 30fps.

Battery Life

The device is equipped with a 4449mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, providing sufficient power to get through a full day of usage. Fast charging is supported at 23W over a USB Type-C connection, allowing for quick power-ups to keep the device running longer between charges.

Network and Connectivity

The Surface Duo 2 supports a wide gamut of network frequencies across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G bands, ensuring connectivity in virtually any environment. The device's 5G capabilities provide lightning-fast download speeds up to 6 Gbps, making it future-proof in terms of connectivity.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 for high-speed wireless internet, Bluetooth 5.1 for peripherals, NFC for easy data exchange, and GPS with multiple international systems for precise location tracking. The device includes USB Type-C 3.2 connectivity with support for DisplayPort, expanding its capabilities for data transfer and display output.

Operating System and User Interface

Running on Android 11 out of the box, the Surface Duo 2 provides a familiar app ecosystem with Google's suite of services. Microsoft has optimized the Android experience to take full advantage of the dual screens, enabling unique multitasking capabilities such as snapping two apps side by side.

The interface is tailored for pen input, facial recognition, and seamless integration with Windows 10 and 11 PCs, making it a versatile tool for professionals who rely on Microsoft's software suite.

Miscellaneous Features

The Surface Duo 2 offers a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, providing security and convenience. It also includes dual stereo speakers, delivering immersive sound that's perfect for media consumption. While it does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, the USB-C port supports audio output.

Available in Glacier and Obsidian colors, the Surface Duo 2 carries a price tag of about 1480 EUR, reflecting its status as a high-end device focused on productivity and multitasking.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 stands out in the smartphone landscape with its unique design, powerful specifications, and productivity-oriented features. Its dual-screen setup offers unmatched multitasking potential, while the robust build and premium materials underscore Microsoft's commitment to quality. For both professionals and tech enthusiasts, the Surface Duo 2 is more than just a smartphone—it's a versatile computing platform in the palm of your hand.

Key Features of Microsoft Surface Duo 2

  • Supports 5G connectivity for faster internet speeds.
  • Dual-screen design with an 8.3-inch AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and peak brightness of 800 nits.
  • Protected with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
  • Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset for high performance.
  • Triple rear camera system with wide, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses, featuring dual pixel PDAF and OIS.
  • 4K video recording capability and multiple frame rates up to 240fps.
  • Offers up to 512GB internal storage with 8GB RAM.
  • Features stereo speakers for improved audio experience.
  • Includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for easy access and security.
  • Robust wireless communication with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC support.
  • Large 4449 mAh battery with 23W fast charging support.

Disadvantages of Microsoft Surface Duo 2

  • Heavy weight at 284 g, which might make it less comfortable for prolonged use.
  • No memory card slot for additional storage expansion.
  • Does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, which limits audio accessory options.
  • Expensive price point at approximately 1480 EUR, making it less accessible.
  • The device is relatively thick when folded at 11 mm, which might not suit all users.
  • No FM radio support for music and news.
  • Charging speed is only 23W wired, which is lower compared to other flagship devices.
  • Released with Android 11, which might receive fewer updates over time as newer versions are released.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 6 Gbps DL
Launch
Announced 2021, September 22
Status Available. Released 2021, October 21
Body
Dimensions Unfolded: 184.5 x 145.2 x 5.5 mm Folded: 145.2 x 92.1 x 11 mm
Weight 284 g (10.02 oz)
Build Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass)
SIM Nano-SIM and eSIM
Display
Type AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR, 800 nits (peak)
Size 8.3 inches, 204.0 cm2 (~152.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 1892 x 2688 pixels (~401 ppi density)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Platform
OS Android 11
Chipset Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 660
Memory
Card slot No
Internal 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Triple 12 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 51mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm TOF 3D, (depth)
Features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Video 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR
Selfie camera
Single 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video 1080p@30fps
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack No
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive
Positioning GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS
NFC Yes
Radio No
USB USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort
Features
Sensors Fingerprint (side-mounted), dual accelerometer, dual gyro, dual proximity, dual compass
Battery
Type Li-Po 4449 mAh, non-removable
Charging 23W wired
Misc
Colors Glacier, Obsidian
Price About 1480 EUR

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