Microsoft's Surface Duo is an exciting concept for a dual-screen phone that has now become a reality. However, Microsoft is venturing way off the well-trodden path of consumer success with this first version of the Surface Duo. There are several troubling details about the phone, tablet, or whatever it technically is.
Microsoft has been trying to break into the smartphone business for several years, publicly lamenting its error in not starting sooner. The Windows Phone was quite interesting and broke some new ground, but suffered from a lack of apps and buyers were few and far between. Microsoft finally put it out of its misery in 2017. Meanwhile, in Microsoft's labs a dual-screen tablet concept called Courier was under development. Nothing came of this project, started in 2009, until it was quietly revived as Andromeda in 2017. Fast forward two years and the Surface Duo phone and Surface Neo tablet were teased.
This all sounds very exciting and interesting. The reality is that most consumers will want to love it, but will ultimately pass it by for a more traditional phone. The first issue is cost. At $1399, it surpasses flagship prices to climb into the specialty phone territory that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold occupies. However, Samsung broke new ground with its first-generation folding screen, then improved the design and loaded the second generation Z Fold 2 with top tier specs to match the high price. Microsoft, on the other hand, chose components that were found in last year's phones for this new luxury-priced device. For those expecting great photos or fast performance from the Surface Duo, the hardware is very likely to disappoint.
Expensive Not The Only Surface Duo Issue
The price can be forgiven, but there are some details that are more bothersome. The Surface Duo is a bit large for a phone, but a bit small for a tablet. In phone mode, it's nearly half an inch thick or 10 mm. Compare that to an iPhone at 8 mm, which Apple has convinced the public is one of the most important features of a phone, and the extra 2 mm becomes quite offensive. Also, the single camera in the Surface Duo is only 11-megapixels with an f/2 aperture. Modern flagships have 12-megapixels or higher, multiple cameras and take much better low-light photos with f/1.8 apertures. Again, all of the specs consumers have come to think of as relevant when making a purchase decision are exactly the reasons not to chose Microsoft's latest phone.
Admittedly, part of the allure of the Surface Duo is the newness. The Android operating enhancements that make the two panels work together are intriguing and the second-generation of this phone will certainly be worth a look. However, the first iteration of a brand new concept is often prone to problems - Samsung's first folding phone was a bit of an embarrassment to the company. Can Microsoft pull off this feat without any trouble? Time will tell but it may not be long before hinge trouble or app compatibility issues start rearing their head. The Microsoft Surface Duo sports a design that many in the industry will want to love, but will be hesitant to buy.
Source: Microsoft