The Surface Duo extends Microsoft’s popular Surface product line to an Android-powered dual-screen phone aimed at business users. Designed for mobile business productivity, the foldable phone with two displays combines the Surface computer’s fast Microsoft 365 apps with the power of Android, and productive video calls. The Surface Duo is essentially a portable version of the Surface computer, but for business people on the go.
The Surface Duo is Microsoft’s thinnest Surface with a 360-degree hinge. The screen is 8.1 inches wide measured diagonally across the two screens that are connected together by the two hinges. This flexibility allows users to operate the Duo like an e-reader, or flip over one of the screens into a tent shape to watch content on a flat surface, or just for use like a regular smartphone. It can also be used like a miniature Surface laptop with its touchscreen keyboard.
As smartphones becoming more advanced with numerous apps and functions dedicated to business use, the Surface Duo differs in its focused use as a miniature version of the Surface. The extra screen size, without being too large, lets users type notes, letters and send texts on a larger keyboard. Artists can also draw and write on the screen, while anyone will be able to easily make video calls from the Duo just like they would with any other smartphone.
Duo Is A Fully Spec’d Mini Surface
Besides measuring 8.1 inches when opened like a book, the Surface Duo features Dual PixelSense Fusion Displays. These are AMOLED screens with a 2700 x 1800 resolution and protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. Both screens can be operated by touch or with a Surface Slim Pen. The dual screens spread out to a 3:2 aspect ratio, allowing for using multiple apps. For Windows Teams and Skype video conferencing, the Duo display supports up to 1080p at 30fps. The 11-megapixel camera utilizes an f/2.0 aperture and 84-degree field of view, and can be zoomed in as far as 7x. For video use, footage can be recorded in 4K at 30fps/60fps with electronic stabilization, or 1080p at 30fps/60fps in HEVC and H.264 video formats. Dual mono microphones feature noise suppression technology. The Surface Duo can support various audio formats, including WAV, AAC and MP3 files.
Powering the Surface Duo is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 chipset, one of the faster chips on the mobile phone market. While it is not the newest, it should be able help make apps and games run quickly. The device can be purchased with up to 256GB of internal storage, with RAM limited to 6GB. Battery life is rated at up to 27 hours of talk time, 15.5 hours of video playback, and up to ten days on standby. The Duo is powered by a quick charging 18-watt power box and comes loaded with eSIM, a Nano SIM slot, and a USB-C port. Included in the Surface Duo box is a bumper, the USB-C power supply, quick start guide and a SIM ejector tool.
In addition, the Surface Duo also includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LTE connectivity, and for clearer phone calls and conferencing, Duo buyers can utilize optional Surface Earbuds. Businesses and employees who have a Surface Duo can open up a number of Microsoft Office apps, such as Office (includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office Lens, PDF reader), Outlook, Teams, One Drive, Edge and more. Not to mention, as the Surface Duo is an Android device, it also comes with Google's suite of apps, including Search, Calendar, Drive, Chrome, Maps and much more.