Microsoft Surface Duo (first-gen): Everything you need to know
After months of teasing and a steady stream of leaks, the Surface Duo finally went on sale in the US in September 2020. We had to wait until February 2021 for the device to arrive in the UK, but it’s now available to buy in a total of 14 countries.
Microsoft’s very first Surface phone sports a radically different design to most handsets, with dual 5.6in screens that fold in on each other. It also runs Android, representing a big departure from Microsoft’s now-discontinued Windows Phone OS.
However, this was only Android 10 out of the box, despite Android 11 launching around the same time. It wasn’t until January 2022 that the Duo got the Android 11 update, months afterAndroid 12was released. This very patchy software support may have put lots of people off the Surface Duo – it remains to be seen whether theDuo 2will fare any better.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When was the Surface Duo released?
The Surface Duo was initially unveiled at Microsoft’s hardware event in October 2019, alongside a ‘Holiday 2020’ release date. That was subsequently brought forward to10 September 2020, although for five months it was exclusively available in the US.
An expanded release was made official on18 February 2021, with customers in the UK, Canada, France and Germany all able to purchase the device. That was extended on14 April 2021, with a further nine European countries selling the Surface Duo to business customers:
How much does the Surface Duo cost?
As has been the case with nearly all foldables so far, the Surface Duo doesn’t come cheap. Here’s a breakdown of the current pricing:
As you can see, the device is much more affordable in the US and Canada. To coincide with its expanded release, both models of the Duo dropped in price by US$400/CA$550.
See more information in our dedicated article onwhere to buy the Surface Duo.
Microsoft Surface Duo specs
Alongside the official announcement of the Surface Duo’s price and release date, a number of rumoured specs were confirmed.
These include those leaked back in May byWindows Central‘s Zac Bowden:
Want some Surface Duo specs? Here’s what I know so far:– Snapdragon 855– 6GB RAM– 64/256GB storage– 11MP CameraMore specs and details:https://t.co/qtCa3F3xCd— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden)May 15, 2020
Other key specs are as follows:
The use of a chipset from 2018 may come as a surprise to some, but the 865 requires a separate 5G chip and was unveiled after the Duo was first announced. It may also have allowed Microsoft to keep costs down slightly.
However, asWindows Latestis reporting, the latest Geekbench 5 benchmarks suggest the Duo is a solid performer.
On the software side, the Duo runs Android 10 out of the box. A free upgrade to Android 11 only began rolling out in January 2022 for users in Europe and North America, a full 16 months after the device first became available. AsMicrosoft’s support pageexplains, customers on the AT&T network will be waiting even longer.
After Android 11 arrives on all devices, it looks like Microsoft will shift its attention to getting the Duo (andDuo 2, presumably) updated toAndroid 12L. The Android 12 spin-off is expected to arrive at some point in 2022, bringing features specifically designed with tablets and foldables in mind.
AsWindows Latestfirst reported, there are plenty of apps that come pre-installed on the Surface Duo. As an Android phone, the 35 apps include 20 from Google and 15 from Microsoft.
App compatibility on the Duo has been a topic of discussion ever since the device was announced, andWindows Centralhas now published a list of the apps that are optimised to run across the dual-screen design:
TikTok has also now been updated to natively support the Duo, as was confirmed in aWindows blog post. It’s unclear when other social media apps might be updated.
Moving forward, it might be easier for developers to optimise their apps to work on the device. AsWindows Centralreports, Microsoft recently updated theSurface Duo emulatorto include new samples and tools for quickly adapting their apps to work across both screens. This move should make developers more willing to optimise software to run on a device with a relatively small percentage of the market.
Sticking with software, Microsoft has confirmed toAndroid Authoritythat the Surface Duo will receive three years of Android updates. This should take it right up to the release of Android 14, and is similar to commitments made by Google andSamsungin recent months.
Microsoft will be hoping the design of the Surface Duo means it’s able to overcome problems more efficiently. AsWindows Centralreports, the device will come with a custom UEFI (formerly BIOS) that allows the company to respond directly to any software-related threats. However, this additional layer of security may also mean it takes Android patches longer to be approved for the Duo.
If you’d like to see the Duo in action for yourself, Microsoft has published a35-minute deep-dive video, featuring Chief Product Officer Panos Panay. This was initially only available to select members of the press, before being released publicly on 13 August 2020.
We discussed the Surface Duo in episode 28 of Fast Charge, Tech Advisor’s weekly phone show. Discussion of the Duo starts at 22 minutes in:
Earlier leaks and news
The Surface Duo shipped with Android 10, but an update toAndroid 11is still in the pipeline. Back in June,Windows Centralgave us our first look at how stock apps will run on the Duo. Pictured below is Outlook:
All Microsoft’s apps will be built to work across both screens, often using one side as an overview and the other to dive into something specific.
Via an emulator build of the Surface Duo’s software,Windows Centralhas also gave an in-depth look at how multiple functions on the device will work. The video confirmed what was long suspected – on the Surface Duo there is the option to choose between traditional on-screen buttons or gestures for navigation.
However, all these demos are shown using Microsoft’s apps. We don’t know how many third-party developers are updating their apps to take advantage of both screens, or whether they’ll be ready in time for the Surface Duo’s release.
In addition to having full Surface Pen support,Windows Latestunearthed some exciting functionality for creatives. Via an API known as ‘Hinge Angle Sensor‘, developers will now be able to build functionality into their apps to allow a smooth transition when the Surface Duo unfolds.
The same article also hints at Microsoft working on gesture support for the Duo. Among those mooted is a double-tap of the pen to take a screenshot. The above video also confirms what the same article suggested, with the option to choose between
Below is the information we found out when the Surface Duo was unveiled in October 2019:
The Duo is essentially a smaller version of theSurface Neo. They’re both dual-screen folding devices, but the Duo is a smartphone running Android.
It has a pair of 5.6in 1800×1350 OLED displays separated by a 360-degree hinge, so this isn’t a single folding screen like the Galaxy Fold. On the back is Gorilla Glass and the design means you can bend it into different forms like a convertible 2-in-1 laptop.
You may also be interested in our coverage of theDuo 2, its successor. On the site, you’ll find both afull review of the Surface Duo 2and a guide to thebest Surface Duo 2 deals.
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Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
