Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review: Designed for Work
The second attempt at a foldable phone is more successful, but it remains a niche proposition.
Is it a mobile phone? Is it a tablet computer? Is it technically foldable with two separate screens? The Surface Duo 2 is in a class of its own if a quite specialized one.
While other manufacturers experiment with displays that bend in, on, or around themselves, Microsoft's second-generation effort remains (relatively) simple. But, unlike the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, it is not attempting to go mainstream; instead, it is aimed at business users who prioritize productivity above all else.
The dual-screen device was released in October last year, but it needed to be fixed, with numerous software bugs. Microsoft, on the other hand, was quick to respond, and multiple updates later, it's a completely different beast. We figured it was about time to see if it was the next best thing to having your own office PA.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 design and build: slim but sturdy
It may look similar to the original Surface Duo, but the sequel is superior in every way that matters. For starters, it is now available in black. The "Obsidian black" finish is far more subtle than the previous one's "Glacier White," though it does return if you like your tech to stand out.
You're still looking at two separate screens held together by a particularly strong hinge that allows you to open it up to any angle while maintaining just enough resistance not to fold under its own weight. The presence of a large camera module on the back prevents you from folding the phone completely back on itself, but the flex is minimal when pushing down on the remaining gap. A thin plastic strip surrounds both the camera module and the internal screens, preventing glass-on-glass nastiness when folding the phone.
Each half is impressively thin, with barely enough room on the bottom edges for a USB-C charging port and SIM card tray. It folds up small enough to fit in a pocket - just. This is a large device that is difficult to use with one hand.
The power button/fingerprint sensor combo's placement isn't perfect for left-handers, and its small surface area means it doesn't recognize your prints as quickly as other phones with similar setups, such as the Sony Xperia 1 IV.
Microsoft chose glass for the front and back of each half of the phone, which looks and feels very good - but fingerprint smudges quickly accumulate. It also lacks the rubber bumper that protected the original surface Duo, so don't plan on throwing this in your bag unless you don't mind getting scratched.
The most noticeable improvement is the new "glance bar" along the spine, which displays incoming notifications without having to open the device every time it vibrates. When you press the power button with the screens turned off, it also displays the time, as well as the charging progress when plugged in.
Screen and sound on the Microsoft Surface Duo 2: seeing double
The Surface Duo 2's two screens have grown to 5.8in each, opening up to an 8.3in "single" display thanks to strategically slimmed-down bezels. That's a significant improvement over the 5.6in/8.1in combination found on the first-generation model. The top and bottom bezels are still thick due to the hinge, but that just means there's always somewhere to grip the thing without accidentally touching the touchscreen.
Even with a slight resolution increase, pixel density remains largely unchanged. At 18991344 each, or a total of 26881892, you get plenty of detail whether you use one screen at a time or both at once. This time around, the refresh rate has been increased to 90Hz, resulting in a much smoother experience when scrolling through web pages as well as flinging apps between the two screens. However, there is no way to turn it down to save battery life.
These are OLED panels, with the kind of epic color saturation and contrast we've come to expect from the technology. Photos and videos look fantastic, with largely accurate hues in Natural color mode and respectable brightness for a high-end phone. We're not talking about Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra levels of retina-scorching light here, but plenty to use outside without squinting. It will also work well with HDR content.
However, multimedia and gaming aren't exactly in Duo 2's wheelhouse. Stretching content across both screens results in a distracting gap in the middle, but sticking to one display results in black bars topping and tailing your videos due to the 3:2 aspect ratio. The stereo speakers are acceptable, but with no 3.5mm headphone jack, you'll need to use a dongle (or Bluetooth) for personal listening.
Positive developments in Microsoft Surface Duo 2 software
Gesture-based controls and well-thought-out multitasking modes were the order of the day with the original Surface Duo, and they remain so here. Drag and drop apps to open as a pair on the Duo 2, with swipes along the bottom of the screen moving windows between screens - or expanding them to fill both.
It works great for Microsoft apps that are optimized for dual screens, such as Outlook or OneNote, but it can be tricky with other Android apps. Things aren't as bad as they were at launch, but there have been a few crashes. Some third-party apps dislike portrait view as well, but this is true of all Android phones, so it's difficult to blame Microsoft here.
Support for Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming is a cool new addition for 2022, with one of the screens transforming into a touchscreen controller - but only for certain games. Given the focus on productivity, it's refreshing to see Microsoft consider what people do in their spare time.
Aside from the dual-screen interaction, the entire thing is built on top of Android 11 with lightly customized skin. A Microsoft feed replaces Google Discover, and there are a few Microsoft apps pre-installed, but it won't feel too foreign to first-timers.
Google says it's working on bringing tablet-optimized Android 12L to its devices later in 2022, but there's no firm date. Given the number of updates we've seen in the last ten months, Microsoft is clearly committed to supporting the Surface Duo border, which bodes well for future support.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 performance and battery life: a comparison to last year's model
The Surface Duo range now has 5G support for the first time, thanks to a Snapdragon 888 CPU, which is a welcome improvement over the Snapdragon 855 used in the original version. It's still a generation behind today's top phones (soon to be two), so it won't be breaking any records. It comes with 8GB of RAM and a storage capacity of 128, 256, or 512GB.
There's more than enough grunt here for daily use, with apps loading quickly and no noticeable slowdown. 8GB is on the verge of being 'enough' for the amount of multitasking you'll be doing, and rapid switching between apps may result in more reloading than you'd expect for such a pricey device.
It's a strong gaming machine, with compatible titles running smoothly thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate. Certain titles make effective use of the two screens, while others simply span both, leaving a gap down the middle that makes certain genres nearly impossible to play. For the best frame rates, play on a single screen, and even then, you may need to reduce the details on the most demanding games.
The battery life outperforms the original Surface Duo, with around eleven hours of video playback on a single screen. That's enough to get you through a typical work day, which should consist of more emails and spreadsheets than streaming video, but it falls far short of traditional liable phones - and doesn't fare well against rival foldables. 18W wired charging is also normal; expect a full refill to take close to three hours.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 camera: three's a charm
The inward-facing camera on the original Surface Duo was designed for video calls rather than taking photos. The Duo 2 compensates with three capable cameras: a 12MP primary, a 12MP zoom (good for 2x telephoto shots), and a 16MP ultrawide. They won't compete in terms of versatility or image quality with the Google Pixel 6 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, or Apple iPhone 13 Pro, but all three lenses can take a decent photo regardless of lighting conditions.
Colors vary, sometimes highlighting lifelike colors (particularly reds and greens) and other times favoring more vibrant shades that aren't quite as true to life. In all but the most difficult lighting conditions, HDR does a good job of balancing highlights and shadows, and autofocus is satisfyingly fast.
On the surface, detail appears to be well preserved, with the main camera outperforming the ultrawide. Zoom in to see where the image processing is simply creating the illusion of clarity, but the overall results are satisfactory.
Noise levels rise slightly when shooting in low light, but not significantly. An iPhone or Pixel still has the advantage here, but there's a lot of detail on display. Because the main and telephoto lenses have optical image stabilization, you don't need a super-steady hand to take usable photos.
We like how the camera app utilizes both screens, with the viewfinder on the right and the gallery on the left, allowing you to preview your shots immediately.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 conclusion
The Surface Duo 2 has been transformed by software updates. It was a mixed bag when it first launched, but it's now far slicker and much easier to juggle multiple apps. There's a lot to like in terms of productivity, even if it's not quite perfect. It also has capable cameras, and the battery life is sufficient given how frequently you'll be using both screens at the same time.
The performance isn't comparable to the latest flagship phones, and the design has flaws, so we believe it's best used as a companion device rather than a replacement for your smartphone. Given the cost, that's a tough ask. For the same price, you could get an iPhone 13 and still have enough money for an iPad.
However, the pocket-friendly form factor and Microsoft service integration may be enough to convince you otherwise.
TechliciousOfficial says...
Score: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰
It had a rocky launch, much like its predecessor, but Microsoft has smoothed things out with regular updates. It's still a specialized device, but it does very well at multitasking and productivity.
- Good Stuff
+ Cost-effective form factor
+ Performance has been stabilized as a result of regular updates
+ Three capable rear cameras
- Bad Stuff
− Undeniably expensive
− Price hike phones are missing features that are expected
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Tech Specs
Display: 5.8inch, 1344×1892 Amoled (Folded), 8.3inch, 1892×2688 Amoled (Unfolded) w/ HDR
CPU: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G
Memory: 8GB RAM
Cameras: 12MP, f/1.7 main w/ dual pixel PDAF, OIS + 12MP, f/2.4 telephoto lens with PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom + 16MP, f/2.2 ultrawide lens with TOF 3D rear.12 MP, f/2.0 front
Storage: 128/256/512GB on board
OS: Android 11
Battery: Non-removable 4449mAh battery
Dimensions: 145x92x11mm (folded) / 185x145x5.5mm (unfolded)
Weight: 284g
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