Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Review: Features, Price, and Performance

Microsoft Surface Duo 2

• Network Technology: GSM, HSPA, LTE, 5G
• Launch: Announced on September 22, 2021, released on October 21, 2021
• Body:
  • Dimensions (Unfolded): 184.5 x 145.2 x 5.5 mm
  • Dimensions (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 + eSIM
  • Stylus support: Yes

Display:

• Type: AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR, 800 nits (peak)
• Size (Unfolded): 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
• Folded Display: 5.8 inches, AMOLED, 1344 x 1892 pixels (4:3 ratio)

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 Storage Options: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM (UFS)

Cameras:

• Main Camera (Triple):
  • 12 MP (wide), f/1.7, 27mm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
  • 12 MP (telephoto), f/2.4, 51mm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
  • 16 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 13mm
  • 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:
  • 12 MP (wide), f/2.0, 24mm
  • Video: 1080p@30fps

Sound:

• Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
• 3.5mm Jack: No

Connectivity:

• 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
• USB: USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort
• Radio: No

Features:

• Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), dual accelerometer, dual gyro, dual proximity, dual compass

Battery:

• Type: Li-Po 4449 mAh
• Charging: 23W wired

Miscellaneous:

• Colors: Glacier, Obsidian
• Price: Approximately 1480 EUR

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is a highly innovative device that combines the power of a smartphone with the productivity benefits of a dual-screen setup. The successor to the original Surface Duo, this second-generation model comes with several improvements in design and performance that aim to give users a unique, versatile and powerful mobile experience. It is aimed at consumers who want a device with multitasking capabilities, increased productivity and a foldable design in a compact package.

Here is a summary of the features that the Surface Duo 2 has to offer:

Design and Finish :

The Surface Duo 2 features a sleek and premium design that immediately catches your eye with its dual-screen configuration. The device consists of two 5.8-inch AMOLED displays, which when fully unfolded, give it a large 8.3-inch tablet-sized screen. The metal hinge connecting the two screens is a major improvement over previous models, allowing for smoother, more stable, and more precise folding and unfolding. The hinge allows the screen to be positioned at multiple angles, making it ideal for multitasking, watching videos, and using apps in split-screen mode.

The device's aluminum frame and protective Corning Gorilla Glass 5 give it a premium feel. The folding mechanism makes the device slightly thicker than a traditional smartphone, but it feels relatively light considering the dual-screen design. The matte finish on the back gives it a clean, premium look, but it may attract fingerprints over time. There's also a camera module on the back, which is a big improvement over the first generation, which didn't have a dedicated camera system until now.

The dual AMOLED displays are a key part of the Surface Duo 2's identity, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. Each display has a resolution of 2208 x 1800, ensuring sharpness and clarity whether you're surfing the web, reading, or watching media.

Display and multitasking :

The biggest feature of the Surface Duo 2 is, of course, its dual-screen design. The two 5.8" AMOLED screens work seamlessly together for a total screen size of 8.3" when unfolded. This large surface area increases user productivity and enables a true multitasking experience that traditional single-screen smartphones can't offer.

You can run two apps side-by-side on each screen, perfect for tasks like making a video call while browsing, managing your email, or surfing the web while simultaneously editing a document. The flexible hinge allows for multiple viewing angles, a unique feature compared to typical foldable devices. Whether you want to view content in landscape or use the screen at different angles for multitasking, you can adjust the screen angle to suit the activity you're doing. The display's 90Hz refresh rate also contributes to an overall smooth experience, making navigation and app use smoother. There's a small gap between the two screens when unfolded, but it's not particularly noticeable during normal use. Microsoft has improved the software to provide a more seamless experience when switching apps between the two screens.

Performance :

The Surface Duo 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, a flagship processor that delivers a significant performance boost over the previous generation. With 8GB of RAM, the device is designed for multitasking and demanding apps. Whether you're switching between productivity apps or enjoying high-performance games, you'll enjoy fast performance when running apps on one or both screens at the same time. In everyday use, the Surface Duo 2 offers a smooth experience, allowing you to seamlessly switch between apps, stream videos, and perform other tasks without any noticeable lag. The device's processor and RAM allow it to handle most tasks that modern smartphone users require.

The Surface Duo 2 comes in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage variants. However, there is no expandable storage via microSD, so you should choose your storage capacity carefully when purchasing.

Camera system :

The main improvement from the original Surface Duo is the camera system of the Surface Duo 2. While the original model was criticized for not having a proper camera setup, the Surface Duo 2 solves that problem with a triple camera system. The rear setup includes a 12MP primary sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. This setup gives you more versatility in photography, whether you want to shoot wide-angle, zoom in on distant subjects, or take standard photos.

While the Surface Duo 2 camera system isn't at the level of flagship devices like the iPhone 13 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, it still performs admirably for a device designed for productivity. Night mode and Portrait mode improve low-light photography, and AI-driven software improves overall image quality, providing better dynamic range and more accurate colors. The front is equipped with a 12MP camera, which provides a great experience for video calling and taking selfies. The front camera also has autofocus, ensuring clear and sharp images during video conferencing and selfies.

Battery Life :

The Surface Duo 2 is equipped with a 4,449 mAh battery, which is a reasonable size considering the two screens. Battery life will vary depending on how you use the device, but with normal use such as emailing, browsing, watching videos, and gaming, the device will last a full day. Although two screens consume more power than a traditional single-screen phone, the Snapdragon 888 chipset and OLED display technology keep it efficient. The battery is good enough for most users, but not the best in the foldable or dual-screen category, and heavy use may require charging by the end of the day. However, the device supports 30W fast charging, which allows you to charge the battery relatively quickly. Wireless charging is also supported, but at a slower rate.

Software and Features :

Surface Duo 2 runs Android 11 and has a special user interface designed by Microsoft to make the most of the dual-screen design. The software is optimized to allow apps to run seamlessly on both displays, and many apps, especially Microsoft's suite of productivity tools like Microsoft Office and Teams, were designed with dual-screen functionality in mind.

In addition, Microsoft has introduced App Groups and App Flex Mode to further improve the multitasking experience. App Groups allows users to launch two apps simultaneously on separate screens, and App Flex Mode allows apps to adapt to different screen orientations.

The device also supports Microsoft's Surface Pen (sold separately), which can be used to take notes, draw, and annotate documents, making it a great tool for professionals and creatives. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button for quick and secure unlocking.

Connectivity and other features:

Surface Duo 2 supports 5G connectivity, providing faster mobile data speeds when available. It also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC for the highest level of wireless connectivity. A USB-C port is used for charging and data transfer, but there is no headphone jack.

The dual SIM capability of this device makes it ideal for users who need separate business and personal lines. Microsoft's integration into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem also allows users to sync documents, calendars, and other files across all devices, enhancing productivity.

Conclusion :

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is a unique and innovative device that redefines smartphone functionality with a dual-screen setup. While the design is original, the benefits of dual displays are unmatched, especially in terms of productivity and multitasking. With improved performance, a versatile camera system, and a sleek, premium design, the Surface Duo 2 is perfect for users who value multitasking and productivity.