On Wednesday, Microsoft held its hardware-focused event where it unveiled the new Surface range of devices. Among the announcements at the event were the Surface Duo 2, a dual-screen mobile phone that now serves as a successor to the earlier Surface Duo, along with the Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 8, and Surface Go 3 devices. Aside from that, Microsoft introduced new accessories, including the Surface Slim Pen 2, Surface Adaptive Kit, Ocean Plastic Mouse, and Microsoft Modern USB-C Headset. Updates have also been made to the existing Surface Pro 7+ and Surface Pro X to attract new customers.
Surface Duo 2 is a much more robust offering than the previous Surface Duo model, especially considering the price point.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Features
Surface Duo 2 features many improvements over its predecessor, which was more like a concept. The design hasn’t changed much, however.
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Featuring two 5.8-inch PixelSense displays that fold into an 8.3-inch display when unfolded, the Surface Duo 2 runs Android 11 out of the box. When the phone is folded, the glance bar lets you see all the notifications. With the glance bar, you can check the battery level while charging without unfolding the phone. It is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 855 in the first-generation Surface Duo.
A 16-megapixel sensor is combined with an f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, a 12-megapixel sensor, f/1.7 wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), and a 12-megapixel sensor with an f/2.4 telephoto lens with OIS. On the original model, there was only one rear camera. An LED flash and a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor give the rear camera setup additional capabilities. Additionally, the Surface Duo 2 comes with a 12-megapixel front-facing camera.
The Surface Duo 2 is equipped with 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. Additionally, the phone comes with a cover that can attach the Surface Slim Pen to enhance the user experience. Furthermore, the Surface Duo 2 includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The Surface Duo 2’s dual-screen form factor is designed to run two apps simultaneously. Furthermore, Microsoft said that 150 games were optimized for dual-screen setup after working with developers and game studios. Among them are Asphalt Legends 9, Modern Combat 5, and Dungeon Hunter 5.
Microsoft will bring the Surface Duo 2 in Glacier and Obsidian color options.
The complete table of specifications is below:
| Model | Surface Duo 2 |
| Display | 5.8″ AMOLED(Single Screen) 1344×1892 Resolution 8.3″ AMOLED(Both Screen) 2688×1892 Resolution 90Hz Refresh Rate 800Nits Side FS GG Victus |
| Processor | SnapDragon 888 |
| Software | Android 11; Microsoft Surface UI |
| Camera | 12+12+16+ ToF Rear 12MP Selfie |
| Battery | 4449mAh battery 23W Fast |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6 NFC LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 8/128GB 8/256GB 8/512GB |
| Colors | Glacier Obsidian |
| Misc. | Surface Pen Support Stereo Speakers GG Back & Front 5.5mm Thick (Open) 11mm Thick (Closed) 284grams |
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Price and Availability
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 prices are as follows:
- 8/128GB – $1499
- 8/256GB – $1599
- 8/512GB – $1799
The phone will be available for purchase in the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Australia.
