What you need to know

• Third-party developer Gustave Monce managed to get Windows 10X to run on the Surface Duo.
• Originally, Windows 10X was restricted to one display of the Duo, but that limitation has been fixed.
• The Surface Duo running Windows 10X runs in a similar manner to the Surface Neo that Microsoft canceled.

When Microsoft first unveiled the Surface Duo, the company also announced the Surface Neo. The fates of those devices have gone down different paths, with the Duo shipping to consumers and receiving a sequel while the Neo never saw the light of day. Despite this divergence, the Duo and Neo are now connected by Windows 10X.

The Surface Neo was supposed to ship with Windows 10X, a modern version of Windows that shed some of the legacy and bloat of previous generations. Like Neo, Windows 10X was never released, but early builds of it gave us a glimpse of what a lightweight version Windows could look like.

Windows 10X was never meant for the Duo, which runs Android, but it has been forced onto the device.

Third-party developer Gustave Monce has worked for years to get Windows to run on the Duo. He recently got Windows 10X to run on the foldable. Late Sunday night, Monce shared that he figured out how to get Windows 10X to run on both screens of the Surface Duo.

Shane Craig showed how Windows 10X works on the Surface Duo in a recent video.

When running on both screens, the setup looks like a blend of the Surface Duo running Android and design elements that have made their way to Windows 11 from Windows 10X. For example, the Start menu can be opened by swiping up from the minimized Taskbar. That functionality is available in the most recent Insider builds of Windows 11.

Swapping an app from one screen to the other functions much like when the Duo runs Android. The main difference is that rather than swiping from the bottom, Windows 10X on the Surface Duo requires you to swipe from the top. You can also span an app across two displays.

The Surface Duo with Windows 10X may be the closest we ever get to a Surface Neo, at least as the PC was originally envisioned.

While it is possible to get Windows 10X to run on a Surface Duo, only technical users should even consider attempting to do so. An installation guide is on GitHub but it's important to note that a mistake could result in your device being bricked. There are also issues and several elements that will not work with the setup. It's a fun experiment but not something meant for a device you expect to use daily.

As pointed out by our Senior Editor Zac Bowden, the merging of Windows 10X and the Surface Duo is poetic. Windows 10X was born, at least in part, out of the remains of Andromeda OS, which runs on the Surface Duo.

What you need to know

• The Windows 11 on Surface Duo project just received an update to version 2303.64.
• The update adds the ability to update the Surface Slim Pen charger by plugging it into the Surface Duo with a USB-C cable.
• The setup now supports DisplayPort through USB-C as well.

Microsoft doesn't make a mobile device that runs Windows 11, but if you're tech savvy, you can force the PC operating system onto a Surface Duo. The Windows 11 on Surface Duo project has been in the works for a year. A recent update added several capabilities, including DisplayPort support via USB-C and the ability to update a Surface Slim Pen charger by plugging it into a Surface Duo.

Gustave Monce, who heads the Windows 11 on Surface Duo project, shared the release notes for the most recent update:

• You can now update your Surface Slim Pen charger by plugging it into Surface Duo using an USB-C to C cable. Updating the charging cradle is required in order for the Surface Slim Pen 2 to charge in the cradle in case the cradle does not run the latest available firmware.
• Putting a Surface Slim Pen into a connected charging cradle will automatically pair it with Surface Duo
• Removing a Surface Slim Pen from a connected charging cradle will automatically wake up Surface Duo
• New firmware is now available for Surface Slim Pen 2 users (pen will automatically update once connected to the device)
• Touch drivers are now shared between both devices
• You can now use OTG devices effortlessly
• Charging is back into this release, without BSOD issues that have been plaguing it before
• [WIP] Updated Calibration for Pens and Touch, not all of the changes are available as of now, so calibration may not be applied with this update (wait the next update)
• [WIP] Added support for DisplayPort via USB-C
• [WIP] Updated Camera drivers, the Camera app will now start but not do much else
• [WIP] Updated Sensor driver to make the Geomagnetic Orientation sensor available

The Surface Duo is not meant to run Windows 11, so you will run into bugs and limits when you force the PC operating system onto the mobile device. But for those brave enough, and savvy enough, to give it a try will have a unique mobile experience.

If you prefer to use the Surface Duo with Android as Microsoft intended, you should check out a recent piece by our Managing Editor Richard Devine. He found that while he couldn't use the Surface Duo as a phone, he enjoyed using it as a tablet. Note that his piece is about the Surface Duo 2, but the original Surface Duo has several of the same pros and cons.

What you need to know

• The Windows 11 on Surface Duo project recently released a major update.
• The original Surface Duo now supports charging while running Windows 11.
• The update also adds support for the Duo's pedometer and light fusion sensor.
• The Surface Duo 2 received a much more modest update.

Microsoft's Surface Duo ships with Android, but that hasn't stopped people from forcing the device to run Windows 11. Independent developer Gustave Monce heads up the Windows 11 on Surface Duo project, which recently released a major update.

The original Surface Duo now supports charging while running Windows 11. The handheld's pedometer and light fusion sensor are also supported following the project's most recent update.

In comparison to its older sibling, the Surface Duo 2 received a minor update for those running Windows 11 on the device. The newer Surface Duo 2 received some bug fixes and a firmware update.

YouTuber Shane Craig shared a video in which he discusses the most recent update and shows the Surface Duo charging while running Windows 11.

The full release notes are on the GitHub page for the project:

Surface Duo (original) changelog

• Charging finally works under Windows! This is a first version of the charging stack, as a result a few things are currently limited. The charging input is limited to low current for safety measures while work is ongoing. Big thanks to @MollySophia for helping in this area!
• Adds a driver for the Qualcomm SMB1380 Secondary Charger
• Adds a driver for the Qualcomm PM8150B Fuel Gauge and Primary Charger
• Enables Content Adaptive Brightness Level. For more information about CABL please see the following article: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/content-adaptive-brightness-control-in-windows-292d1f7f-9e02-4b37-a9c8-dab3e1727e78
• Adds support for Duo's Pedometer Sensor.
• Adds support for Duo's Light Fusion Sensor.
• The new Tablet Posture experience is now enabled for Surface Duo by default. Expect a more tablet optimized taskbar, bigger hit targets in Microsoft Edge/File Explorer, and more. For more information about tablet posture experiences, please visit the following link: https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/02/24/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22563/
• Addresses a few issues with duplicated sensors.
• Enables smooth brightness control for both panels.
• Addresses an issue preventing USB Function Mode from working. This issue mainly affected USB File Transfers using a computer.
• Updates Surface Duo firmware to the latest Android OTA release of November
• Long forgotten bug fixes & enhancements
• Call provisioning is work in progress, if calls do not work for you at the moment, you may need to provision the call functionality manually. (Same as on Lumia 950s: https://woa-project.github.io/LumiaWOA/guides/ican0/, value is not different between 950s and Duo either, so if you already have such value, you're good to go, this is temporary!)

Surface Duo 2 changelog

• Addresses an issue preventing USB Function Mode from working. This issue mainly affected USB File Transfers using a computer.
• Updates Surface Duo 2 firmware to the latest Android OTA release of November
• Call provisioning is work in progress, if calls do not work for you at the moment, you may need to provision the call functionality manually. (Same as on Lumia 950s: https://woa-project.github.io/LumiaWOA/guides/ican0/, value is not different between 950s and Duo either, so if you already have such value, you're good to go, this is temporary!)

Last year, I grabbed a Surface Duo 2 from the Microsoft Store as my professional, and personal curiosity reached a fever pitch. The original Surface Duo was a decent first attempt, but the buggy software, horrible camera, and odd price point really blurred the value proposition for me. Fast forward to the Surface Duo 2; did the Surface team learn anything? At least at launch, apparently not. 

The Surface Duo 2, much like its predecessor, launched with software I wouldn't mind calling half-baked. The touch response hadn't been improved enough from the first phone, and performance on side-by-side apps was simply not as good as my Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, which I had also just purchased. In a battle between the two flagship foldies, I ended up opting for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and returned my Surface Duo 2. That was then, though. This is now. 

My Galaxy Z Fold 3 flexible screen just randomly died on me a few weeks ago. Now I know these new-fangled flexy-screens are fragile, but I had expected my phone to break due to a fall or some other unfortunate accident. Hilariously, the screen died while passively using Twitter, which was not at all expected. To Samsung's credit, they replaced the screen for free within two weeks, and that's the reliability I've come to expect from the company. However, in the interim, I still needed a phone. 

Having heard my pleas and complaints on Twitter about the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Microsoft offered me the chance to go hands-on with their latest updates and improvements for the Surface Duo 2. Indeed, we've been documenting just how hard Microsoft has been working to update its flagship mobile device over the past year. So, I was naturally curious to see the extent to which Microsoft had improved the experience. 

It's still far from perfect. And, honestly, quite spectacularly impossible to recommend at the current retail price. But I am in the unique position to choose between both the Galazy Z Fold 3 and the Surface Duo 2. I was stunned at how close it came between the two. 

Two screens IS better than one

Do foldable phones need to exist at all? The markets don't yet seem entirely sure, but Samsung at least has plowed ahead into its fourth iteration of its foldable, and we expect Microsoft to follow up with a Surface Duo 3 maybe next year. When my Galaxy Z Fold 3 broke, I asked myself if I shouldn't just get a regular Samsung Galazy S22 or something. I've always babied my Galaxy Fold. The plastic-feeling screen has always been anxiety-inducingly fragile. When I went to the seaside this summer, the terrifying crunch of getting air-borne sand trapped in the hinge mechanism gave me pause. 

The compromises on the Galaxy Fold line are pretty clear. A fragile display meets an "average" battery and arguably a sub-par camera array in exchange for a phone that can double as a mini tablet. I loved this thing for gaming, with its large and clear display ideal for arranging touch controls and also consuming media. But the downsides are numerous, notwithstanding the fact that the screen died simply from being looked at. 

This is where the Surface Duo 2 presents a clear advantage. This thing is made of good ol' regular glass. I don't need to worry about dust getting trapped in the hinge mechanism, nor do I need to baby the screen with protectors. I don't need to worry about a grain of silt cracking the display if I fold it at the wrong time. It feels safer to use, and it actually folds flat when closed, unlike the Galaxy Fold 3. 

The downside here, of course, is that the bezels are chunky, reducing the body-to-screen ratio fairly unpleasantly. And the big split down the middle means you can't use all of that combined screen real estate for media consumption. However, the multi-tasking experience on the Duo 2 is definitely a cut above what Samsung is able to offer with its flexible option, with Android itself being partially to blame here potentially. 

Samsung uses virtual containers for its multitasking experience. You can drag and drop apps for a side-by-side experience, which is useful and intuitive. However, if you interact with a text box, the on-screen keyboard shifts everything around if it's docked, and typically you'll want it to be docked. The Surface Duo 2 screens work largely independently of each other, however, and I'd argue that the wider aspect ratio generally makes for a better side-by-side portrait experience, anyway. 

One thing I've found myself doing regularly is putting a Udemy art course on one screen while using Autodesk Sketchbook on the other. The split between the displays means I don't need to consider how interacting on one side would impact the other since they're completely isolated unless I'm directly actuating the display. 

I've also found myself pleasantly surprised by the hardware experience after months' worth of updates. Inking on the Duo 2 feels great, and the Surface Slim Pen feels a cut above the small and squashy nib found on the Galaxy Fold's S-Pen. The Duo 2 has even impressed me with its camera array, which is at least comparable to the Galaxy Fold 3, if not superior, in certain situations. 

I also love the Xbox Game Pass implementation on the Surface Duo 2. Using the second display as a virtual gamepad is a stroke of genius. It's simply superior to other touch solutions since the gamepad isn't laying on top of the gameplay elements. The positioning of the USB-C port also means I can add a gamepad like the Razer Kishi V2 or the GameSir X2 Pro without creating a top-heavy, unbalanced device, which is impossible with the Galaxy Fold 3 due to its off-set USB-C port in tablet mode. 

Being able to fold the display backward also has some fun advantages. Setting the phone into a "tent" configuration for watching content on a train or plane while also angling the phone with a timer for taking photographs or selfies. 

It's also just generally more elegant than the Galaxy Z Fold 3. It's sexier, with a stark unique design and unrelenting physical polish from its robust hinge work to that gorgeous and slim glass body. 

Yet still, the experience is far from perfect. In a lot of ways, Surface is still playing catch up with its implementation of Android. 

Polish is everything in 2022

While I've ended up preferring the dual-screen implementation in the Surface Duo 2, the same cannot be said for the OS experience in general. Without a doubt, Samsung's version of Android is still the more polished and feature-complete version of the two designs, although the gap is quite rapidly closing. 

Microsoft unleashed a fairly large update for the Surface Duo range based on Android 12L. The update is supposed to bring new design standards for app developers making experiences for dual-screen phones, but it will also bring a range of new quality improvements to the Duo on the side. We'll finally have some (frustratingly limited) accent color customization for the OS layer, for example. We also got some refreshed design language to bring it in line with Windows 11, with a new settings app, among other tweaks. Still, the overall experience is vastly improved from the first time I went hands-on with the Duo 2. But no phones live in isolation. It's tough not to draw direct comparisons to Samsung's Galaxy phones or Apple's iPhones, given that they bear similar costs and features and exist in the same space. In a world where all devices are equal, it does come down to things like polish alongside unique exclusive features. 

I was saddened to discover the Xbox Game Pass implementation on the Surface Duo 2 was broken and had been broken for several weeks. While a fix is rolling out now, I can't help but wonder if anyone at Microsoft had even noticed it. Had it not been for Windows Central amplifying complaints, would it have ever been fixed? There's very little dialogue between Surface and its community, unfortunately, so we have absolutely no idea.

I'm also not a fan of how multi-tasking works while the phone is in landscape mode, with the keyboard taking up the entire display, shoving the top app out of the picture entirely. It defeats the positives I mentioned earlier about having more control over what happens on each display and makes me wonder if Surface engineers are actively using the device for media consumption. 

I was also disappointed to discover that the Surface Slim Pen 2 haptics do not work on the Surface Duo 2, which is a big bummer considering how expensive the Surface Slim Pen 2 (and the associated magnetic Duo cover) is. And finally, the radios on the Surface Duo 2, again, do not seem as powerful as the Galaxy Z Fold 3. When in my pocket, the Surface Duo 2 cannot connect adequately to my Bluetooth earbuds, which has led to me piling on another expense to get a 3.5mm USB-C connector for music. However, the recent Android 12 L update may have improved the situation there. 

Either way, therein lies the central criticism of the Surface Duo 2, ultimately. While I have come to feel like it's giving me a better overall "phone" experience than the Galaxy Z Fold 3, it's still tough to recommend due to associated costs. Based on pure form factor, I think the Duo 2 is the correct road to travel for Microsoft. But, if it's the form factor keeping prices this high, I can't help but wonder if there isn't a regular ol' one-screen phone in Microsoft's future. A Surface Solo, if you will. 

I am a Surface Duo convert, almost

I sort of "got" the Surface Duo 2 when I stopped trying to use it like a tablet and instead started using it more like a laptop with dual-screen monitors. You don't always need two displays, and I was somehow trying to force myself to use both displays simply because I had them. Once I started trying to use it like a regular phone, opting for dual screens only as needed, I ended up preferring it to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. That's part of the problem, potentially. I had to actively try to figure out how to best enjoy this device since it's such a departure from what we're typically used to as consumers. At least the Galaxy Fold 3 is a little more familiar in its tablet configuration. But this is what Surface is all about — punching holes in convention. The iPad itself has started co-opting the Surface Pro's kickstand design, proving that, in reality, Microsoft was right all along. 

As PCs have gotten more powerful and more capable, adding second displays to your setup has become increasingly commonplace. Maybe the same is becoming true for phones as well. There are rumors Microsoft may be exploring building its own Android store, too, akin to Samsung's Galaxy Store, and I would argue any serious competition in an Apple-Google-dominated mobile world is a good thing at this point. 

The Duo 2 has a lot of drawbacks and downsides, especially baked into that price point. But increasingly, I think Microsoft has gotten it right in essence. Where my choice between the Duo 2 and the Galaxy Fold 3 boiled down to a litany of problems, this time, it's simply because I can't stand the Surface Duo 2's limited accent color options. The gap has closed so much that it's essentially only trivialities keeping me off the Duo line at this point. 

It's with that in mind that I think the Duo line could be poised to go broader. Perhaps all it needs is that true "Surface Pro 3" moment — where the compromises are eliminated, and the software experience reaches full maturity, complete with a more affordable option. Either way, I'm coming along for the ride. Long live the Duo. 

• Windows Central recently reported that Surface Duo 2 availability was depleted at Best Buy and Microsoft.com
• Best Buy took down Surface Duo 2 kiosks, and potential customers cannot order a device
• Microsoft has responded, remarking that supply constraints are the leading cause, and Surface Duo 2 is not being discontinued

Windows Central recently detailed how Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2, on its first anniversary, is almost nowhere to be found. Local Best Buy stores reported that specialized Surface Duo 2 kiosks were coming down, inventory was depleted, and even Microsoft.com had no stock to order.

Our speculation suggested that Microsoft may pull back on Surface Duo 2 until Android 12L drops in the coming weeks. However, the possibility that production was halted due to a lack of sales could not be ruled out.

Now, Microsoft has responded to Windows Central about the status of Surface Duo 2, and it appears to be good news:

“We are experiencing supply constraints that are impacting stock of Surface Duo 2 units. The product is not being discontinued. We continue to update and to innovate on this form factor and are excited by customer interest.”

As Senior Reporter Zac Bowden and I discussed on a recent episode of the Windows Central Podcast, supply constraints could also be an explanation. After all, most of the components in Surface Duo 2 are custom, including the displays themselves, the hinges, and the board design, requiring specialized production techniques that only Microsoft uses.  

That theory turned out to be correct.

More interestingly, Microsoft doubled down on the statement by emphatically stating that Surface Duo 2 is not discontinued. The company goes further by noting it will continue to “update and innovate on this form factor,” suggesting that Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 receive more significant updates, and a third version is also very likely.

Recent sourcing by Zac Bowden has claimed that Microsoft is currently deciding whether to go with another dual-screen design or lean into a single-screen foldable akin to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4, but likely with a different aspect ratio and thinner design.

We’ve also heard that the new Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has shaken the industry and likely impressed the Surface team. Not only does Mix Fold 2 fold without a gap, but it is a hair thinner (0.1mm) than Surface Duo 2 while also packing a substantial 4,500mAh battery.

When Surface Duo 2 will return to store shelves is up in the air, but we’ll continue to follow this story and update accordingly.

Microsoft is purportedly in the final stages of validating Android 12L for release for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. That update should bring some of the first UI customizations that more closely match the design of Windows 11, along with better OS and support for dual-screen apps.

Microsoft could have more to say about the Android 12L update if it holds its annual Surface event, typically in late September or October.

• Despite many improvements to Surface Duo 2's touch display performance, some still see room for improvement.
• A new "hack" seems to improve the touch response for typing and screen interactions instantly.
• However, a loss of some battery life is to be expected because of the improvement.

Microsoft has done a tremendous job of improving both the original Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 over the last 11 months. The software is more stable, reliable, and faster, and many of the monthly patches have addressed touch lag and input irregularities, leaving many Duo owners quite satisfied.

However, despite all the improvements, both Surface Duos still trail more cutting-edge devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series for things like touch response. This discrepancy is something I've noticed with the new Fold 4, although some of it may be chalked up to the improved Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 compared to Surface Duo 2's older Snapdragon 888.  

Now, a new simple trick has been discovered by one YouTuber. In my experience with it, it does seem to significantly change how responsive the screens are for Surface Duo 2 (and presumably Surface Duo 1).

YouTuber That's Not Ricardio shared the video just over a week ago. While it is 10 minutes in length, most of that is the host explaining why he likes Surface Duo 2 so much but also pointing out some of its problems.

At the 6:31 mark, he begins to explain the trick, which is straightforward, taking less than a minute to implement. The secret is to disable battery optimization for the System UI and, optionally, Microsoft Launcher and your preferred keyboard. 

Here's how it is done:

• Go to Settings
• Scrolls to Apps and Notifications

• Tap on any recent app (it doesn't matter which one)

• Scroll down to Battery and tap it

• Tap Battery Optimization
• Choose All Apps from the top

• Scroll down and find System UI and tap it

• Choose Don't optimize and Done

That's it. You should feel the UI become instantly more responsive.

You could also repeat the above for Microsoft Launcher and whatever keyboard you may be using (Microsoft SwiftKey is the default).

If you turn off optimization for Microsoft Launcher and the keyboard, you should restart the device to reload them.

What's the catch?

Of course, the next question is, why didn't Microsoft do this themselves?

There is one understandable reason: We just disabled battery optimization for at least one major OS component (System UI) and possibly two others (keyboard and launcher). Indeed, That's Not Ricardio has done extensive testing with this trick and noticed streaming battery life dropped from around 5 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours and 50.

The battery life on Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 has always been better than expected, considering the unique dual 90Hz displays, but it is often "just OK" by modern smartphone standards. Perhaps Microsoft did this as a tradeoff to help extend battery life. We're not entirely sure of the thought process here, but something our senior Windows Editor Zac Bowden is looking into to find out.

It's also unknown if Microsoft's Android 12L implementation, expected in the next few months, addresses touch sensitivity or even introduces new drivers and optimizations.

But, for now, if you want to try this out, go right ahead, as it is quickly reversible.

What you need to know

• A Kickstarter campaign just launched for a foldable case for the Surface Duo called the DUOVER.
• The case is inspired by the look of a Moleskine notebook and can be folded into several postures to support the Duo.
• The DUOVER also features a spot to magnetically attach a Surface Pen.

The list of the best Surface Duo cases is relatively short. There are bumper cases, belt clips, sleeves, and a few other designs, but there aren't many options. In comes the DUOEVER, a Moleskine-style case that's designed to make the Surface Duo feel more like a notebook.

The DUOEVER can flip and fold to act as a vertical or horizontal stand, and it has a place to attach a Surface Pen magnetically. The case attaches with what appears to be double-sided tape rubber that attaches the body to the Duo without using any adhesives. The maker of the DUOEVER likens the rubber to a gecko's foot.

The downside of the DUOEVER is that it's in the early stages of development. A campaign for the DUOEVER just launched on Kickstarter.

There are a few different pledge options for the DUOEVER, including an early bird pledge of $19 that will get you the case for less than its planned price of $39. You can also get a custom engraved DUOEVER case if you pledge $39.

The Kickstarter page outlines what will be done if the campaign reaches its financial goals:

• Source production equipment and specialized materials
• Establish potential relationships with manufacturers
• Add extra features and design tweaks that are currently in development
• Launch the Surface Duo 2 version of The Duover Case (there will be a simultaneous release of both versions)

As with all Kickstarter and crowdfunded projects, you should take caution before pledging any money. Products on Kickstarter are not guaranteed, so in some cases it's best to hold off from investing. We plan to follow up with the DUOVER as it progresses through its campaign.

We've had 10 long years of Surface tablets, laptops, PCs, and phones. The product line is in a completely different place than it was when the Surface RT was first announced in 2012. In fact, the first Surface RT is considered by many to be a huge failure, leading to an almost billion dollar write-down before the Surface 2 was even announced.

So, that got us wondering, what have been the highs and lows of the Surface line over the last 10 years? Surface RT wasn't the only low point for the Surface brand, but there's also been great moments from other Surface devices that stand out above the rest. Here's our roundup of Surface products that we think mark the highest, lowest and mixed points of the Surface brand.

Surface RT: Low

It all started with the Surface RT, which ended up being a monumental failure for Microsoft at the time. With a $900 million write down not a year after launch, Microsoft bet big on the wrong product, but was it the software or hardware that let down this device?

Surface RT is the product that started it all for Microsoft. It’s the device that laid the foundation for the Surface Pro we have today. At the time, both the hardware and software were lacking. The 2-in-1 hadn’t yet proven itself, and the Windows RT platform was destined for failure from the beginning.

But the hardware did show promise. The product was praised for its incredible magnesium design, tight fit and finish, and super thin chassis. The kickstand was likened to that of a “luxury car door” and the colorful Type Cover accessories that launched alongside it made the device feel personal and productive.

But ergonomically, Microsoft hadn't yet nailed the fundamentals. Surface RT spawned the term "lapability," which was introduced because the Surface RT's kickstand and type cover design lead to an unstable typing experience when sitting the device on your lap to use as a laptop.

The Surface Pro that was announced alongside the Surface RT was a thicker and heavier alternative, with poor battery life and a much higher price tag. It was a "less-sexy" version of the Surface RT, but because it ran full Windows 8 and was compatible with all Windows apps, it was the device of choice for most people.

Microsoft only released one more ARM-based Windows RT product, that being the Surface 2 a year later in 2013. After that, the company switched to x86 with the Surface 3, and wouldn't return to the ARM architecture until Surface Pro X in 2019.

Surface Pro 3: High

It’s widely agreed that the Surface form factor didn’t hit its stride until the launch of the Surface Pro 3 in 2014. This was the first big design change for the product line, shifting from a 16:9 display and two-stage kickstand to a much larger 3:2 display and friction-hinge that allowed for positioning at any angle.

This was the point where for many, the Surface Pro form factor became a viable Windows PC. Before this, the Surface Pro line was a thick tablet with poor battery life that was too small to truly use as a laptop. The Surface Pro 3’s larger 12.-inch display, paired with improvements to the kickstand and keyboard cover propelled Surface from failure to success, and fixed most of the lapability issues that plagued the first few Surface devices.

In fact, this design would prove so popular amongst users that Microsoft ended up keeping its design with minimal changes for 7 whole years, right up to the Surface Pro 7+ which launched in January 2021. It certainly stood the testament of time. Compared to the Surface Pro 1 and Surface Pro 2, it was thin, light, portable, and much more fun to use.

As mentioned, Microsoft would make minor tweaks to this design over the next 7 years. The Surface Pro 4, which launched a year later in 2015, increased its display size by 0.3-inches and introduced Windows Hello facial recognition, something we take for granted on the Surface line today.

Then, with the Surface Pro 5, which launched two years later in 2017 (and was simply dubbed "Surface Pro" at the time) debuted with slightly rounded edges on the chassis. The final major change made to this Surface Pro design was the inclusion of a removable SSD with the Surface Pro 7+. 

Ultimately, this design was a winner for Microsoft and the Surface line as a whole. One could say the success of Surface Pro 3 is a big reason why Microsoft is still shipping new Surface products every year, and expanding its portfolio with new form factors too. Surface Pro is the money-maker, and it started with the Surface Pro 3.

Surface Book: Mixed

The Surface Book is a hard one to rank. To many, it’s one of Microsoft’s more unique and exciting products to date. When it was announced, it was unveiled in a way that built hype like no other product I’ve seen.

It was revealed as a laptop, and was demoed on stage as a laptop. But at the very end of the presentation, Microsoft decided to drop a “one more thing” moment and pull the screen away from the keyboard base. It’s a tablet too?! Just magical.

But the launch of the Surface Book was anything but smooth. The product launched with severe firmware issues thanks to the buggy launch of Intel’s Skylake chips, which led to overheating, thermal throttling, and battery draining even when the Surface Book was “off” in a bag.

Microsoft had much more success with the Surface Book 2, but it became clear soon after that this design was going to limit the kind of power Microsoft could put into it. Surface Book never shipped with more than an Ultrabook class processor, because the design and thermals simply wouldn’t allow for it.

As a result, power users looking for a Surface that had more guts in the CPU department were forced to look elsewhere, as the Surface Book couldn’t deliver that kind of power at a sustainable rate. The product design was flawed from the beginning. A cool concept no doubt, but it wasn’t able to deliver the level of power many customers expected from a flagship Surface laptop.

This came to a head with the Surface Book 3, which received mixed reviews from people who wanted a true laptop workstation, but were let down by the anemic laptop-class CPU. 

Surface Book was a beautiful product, but was flawed from a design perspective, as it was thermally limited and didn't pack enough oomph for the power users it was designed for.

Surface Studio: High

Surface Studio is an interesting one. It’s a one-of-a-kind PC for sure. You still cannot find an all-in-one on the market that offers what the Surface Studio offers from a form factor and design perspective. It has a beautiful 28-inch touchscreen display, a clean design, the ability to move between upright and drafting positions, and supports pen too. 

It’s a beautiful product that I'd go so far to say is Microsoft's best looking Surface to date, but it's one that I wish Microsoft would iterate on further with future versions. It has the potential to be great, but each one has launched with semi-outdated specs so far.

Surface Studio 1 launched with a 6th-generation laptop processor, which just didn’t have the guts to deliver true flagship AiO power. The Surface Studio 2 launched a couple of years later with an outdated 7th-generation laptop chip, which again, wasn’t enough for power users looking for a flagship desktop PC from Microsoft.

I'm marking the Surface Studio as a high because it truly is a one-of-a-kind product, and I'm still using a Surface Studio 2 to this day, even with its very aged CPU and GPU. 

The next Surface Studio needs to launch with a beefier CPU, modern GPU options, and most importantly, the ability to use its displays with other devices. That would prolong the shelf life of this beautiful panel.

Surface Laptop: High

By 2017, Microsoft had been shipping 2-in-1 PCs for a handful of years, but there's was a huge chunk of the PC market that simply doesn't want a 2-in-1 computer. Some prefer a traditional clamshell style laptop, and Microsoft delivered just that with the Surface Laptop.

The Surface Laptop is an interesting product for the Surface line, as it’s the only Microsoft PC that isn’t trying to push a unique form factor experience. It’s a literal laptop, competing head-to-head with the likes of a MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13. Its only unique aspect is that it can be configured with an Alcantara keyboard deck, something I haven’t seen offered on any other laptop to date.

It also launched with Windows 10 in S mode, a failed attempt at locking down the Windows platform to the Microsoft Store. Luckily, you could switch out of S mode with ease.

Surface Laptop's design was so iconic, Microsoft continues to use it to this day with the Surface Laptop 4. The only notable design change in the last five years is with the keyboard deck, where Microsoft introduced metal keyboard deck options alongside Alcantara with the Surface Laptop 3. It also increased the size of the trackpad, and launched a 15-inch version. 

Some would look at the Surface Laptop and consider it a "low" for the Surface line, as it doesn't try to be unique like other Surface products are. But, I'd argue it's a high because it marked the moment that the Surface brand became solidified as more than just an experiment. This is a product line that's here to stay, and I feel the Surface Laptop marked that moment for Microsoft.

Surface Pro X: Mixed

Surface Pro X was a glimpse of the future for the Surface Pro line. At the time of its announcement in 2019, the Surface Pro had been rocking the same design for five years, and critics were getting a little tired of it. So, with the Surface Pro X, Microsoft unveiled an all-new design that offered a preview of what's to come for the main Surface Pro line from a design perspective.

It was super thin, light, and featured a larger 13-inch display and new Type Cover and Pen accessories built specifically for this new design. Externally, it was a much nicer looking Surface Pro, but it was what's on the inside that drops this product down from a "high" to a mixed.

Surface Pro X was powered by a custom Snapdragon 8cx processor, known as the SQ1. It was Microsoft's first custom ARM processor with built-in LTE, but it came at the cost of performance. Surface Pro X launched with Windows 10 on ARM, which ran most apps in an emulation later, and was completely incompatible with x64 applications.

Surface Pro X was a mixed bag because it was a beautiful product that was held back by the infancy of its silicon and platform. Today, Windows on ARM is in a much better place, with support for x64 apps and upcoming more powerful chips that will runs apps in emulation with better performance. 

In fact, I'd go so far to say the Surface Pro X launched as a low, but has transformed itself into a high thanks to Windows 11, and is only going to get better later this year with the launch of a new Surface Pro X with updated silicon. 

Surface Duo: Mixed

Ah, yes. The Surface Duo. Interestingly, the launch of this product went similarly to that of the Surface Book. It was unveiled on stage to much fanfare as a “one more thing” moment, but when it actually hit store shelves, buyers realized this product was not ready for prime time.

The Surface Duo was plagued with very buggy software right out of the gate, and it would take Microsoft more than 12 months to get the device to a point where one would consider it stable enough for everyday use.

Surface Duo 2 came along and fixed many of the original Surface Duo’s shortcomings, including better cameras and displays, 5G, a flagship processor, and NFC. I’ve been using a Surface Duo 2 as my primary phone since it launched, and I absolutely love it.

Just like the Surface Pro X, the Surface Duo line shipped as a low, but has transformed into a high for the Surface brand. It’s a great product that I'd be happy to recommend to any tech fans looking to try something new to replace their smartphone. 

Surface Neo: Low

Surface Neo was announced right alongside the Surface Duo, except the Surface Neo never actually shipped. There’s probably good reason for that, but this is certainly a low point for the brand, as it’s an example of Microsoft failing to deliver a product that it thought it could make. Going so far as to announce it to the world, only to cancel those plans just half a year later doesn't look very good.

Microsoft could still ship the Surface Neo at some point, but it definitely won't be shipping with the dedicated version of Windows they announced alongside it. Windows 10X was designed for dual-screen PCs in mind, but that OS was scrapped in favor of Windows 11, and the dual-screen PC idea was put on ice.

I have a feeling Microsoft would like the world to forget the Surface Neo even happened.

Surface Laptop Studio: High

The Surface Laptop Studio is Microsoft’s attempt at fixing the Surface Book. It was designed by the Surface Book team, and is the replacement to the Surface Book line. In almost every regard, it fixes the big issues that the Surface Book had. It has a beefier CPU, a better GPU, good battery, and a high-refresh rate screen.

It still maintains that 2-in-1 convertible functionality, albeit not as a detachable display. The Surface Laptop Studio’s display can be pulled forward into a Studio mode, which allows for use of the pen when required, but without sacrificing on thermals or CPU power.

While there’s something to be said about the design of the Surface Book, the Surface Laptop Studio is the better product from a functionality perspective.

What do you think?

So those are our picks for high and low moments throughout the Surface line's lifecycle. It's been a rollercoaster for sure, but that's what makes Surface so fun. A lot of what Microsoft puts out into the world is experimental and new, so there's bound to be teething issues along the way. But often enough, the company is able to ship great products that really do push the boundaries in design and form factor.

Here's to the next 10 years of Surface! 

What you need to know

• Microsoft's Surface Duo is receiving its May 2022 update.
• The update is 97.85 MB in size and bumps the version to 2022.215.137.
• The changes include improving device stability and the in-app camera experience.

Today, Microsoft is pushing out its monthly update for the original Surface Duo. The update is just under 100MB in size and brings the usual assortment of Google-approved Android security patches.

But besides security fixes, Microsoft is continuing to improve the user experience. According to the changelog, software version 2022.215.137 brings the following additional modifications:

• Improves device stability.
• Improves in-app camera experience in dual-screen modes for applications with dynamic orientation requirements.

The first change is quite vague, but Surface Duo could always use more tweaking for the software experience. The second one refers to when the Surface Duo's camera is engaged in spanned apps, not the camera app itself. We'll have to see if we can find some scenarios where the camera is involved in such a way to test it out.

To grab the update yourself, use these steps:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo's home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

This update should also work for AT&T-branded Surface Duos as Microsoft does not mention it as pending approval.

There is no May update live for Surface Duo 2. However, we expect that to be appearing in the next few days.

What you need to know

• An independent developer recently managed to get Windows 11 to run on both displays of a Surface Duo.
• The project inspired a discussion online about running Windows on a foldable mobile device.
• In our poll, over 82% of voters would like to run Windows 11 on the Surface Duo.

Last week, independent developer Gustave Monce shared images of Windows 11 running on a Surface Duo. The photos brought back memories of Windows Phone for many of our readers. While the concept of running Windows 11 on a foldable mobile device was intriguing, we wanted to know if our readers would actually use such a device.

In our recent poll, over 82% of voters said that they'd want a Surface Duo running Windows 11, leaving just under 18% saying they wouldn't want such a device.

"Hell Yes! I want a duo running W11 or 10X or whatever as it's running Windows that would be a good start as at least then there's ARM64EC and I'd finally be heck load more productive on my phone," said TechFreak1.

"Voted yes. If I could have a single telephony device that runs Android apps (through Windows 11) while on the go, but productivity full Windows applications while docked to mouse/keyboard/monitor, that would be my dream device," added CSJr1.

While the vast majority of voters expressed an interest in Windows 11 running on the Surface Duo, many of the commenters disagreed.

"It is a fun project, but Windows 11 as it is? Well nah. Thing is Windows 11 Shell isn't really optimized for such a small screen, not even meant for dual-screen type of devices either," said aXross. "Each screen is basically treated as two monitors on regular PC, not like how it behaves on Surface Duo or Neo was."

This week, independent developer Gustave Monce managed to get Windows 11 to run on both displays of a Surface Duo. The milestone is the latest step in Monce's quest to get Windows 11 to run on Microsoft's foldable mobile device. At the moment, the Duo still has quite a few limitations while running Windows 11, such as not supporting touch or LTE, but that's to be expected when running an unsupported operating system.

Monce's progress sparked a discussion online about the viability of the Surface Duo running on Windows 11. Some argue that Android is better suited for the device due to the apps that it can run and the fact that it's optimized for smaller screens. Others claim that the underlying OS of Microsoft's mobile device should be Windows, harkening back to the days of Windows Phone.

A key question is repeated several times in the comments section of our piece covering Monce's work, what would you actually gain by having Windows 11 on the Surface Duo? "No need for the replacement of Android with Windows. The Microsoft Launcher and all other Office 365 tools like OneDrive and Teams make it a good experience for productivity," said AlexysDroid. "The target audience doesn't care about the underlying OS. It just needs to be productive and get the job done."

Others have a dream of running the Surface Duo as a productivity powerhouse that can run Windows 11 in hand or expand onto multiple monitors.

Microsoft had a larger foldable device in the works called the Surface Neo that was set to run a version of Windows. That device is at minimum on pause but likely canceled. A large reason Microsoft moved away from the Neo is that Windows 11 is not optimized for such a device. In fact, some argue that the company should release the Surface Neo running Android.

If Microsoft views Windows 11 as unfit for a device like the Neo, it likely feels the same way about running the OS on the smaller Duo. But that's Microsoft. We want to know if you would like a Surface Duo running Windows 11. Let us know in the poll above and in the comments below.

What you need to know

• Gustave Monce posted some new videos and photos of full Windows 11 running on the original Surface Duo.
• The big break in its development has the OS running independently on both displays simultaneously.
• There are still many things that don't work, including LTE, touch, and some driver issues.

In late January, we reported on a small independent project by developer Gustave Monce to try and get Windows 11 running on the original Surface Duo. Monce is no stranger to such projects, having brought Windows to old Lumia smartphones for those who like to live on the Edge.

That project for Surface Duo has now hit a significant milestone by getting Windows 11 to run on both displays simultaneously, akin to a dual-monitor setup. It's been no small feat to accomplish such a task. In a video shared by Monce, he noted that performance is better than expected (especially compared to a Lumia 950 XL, calling the performance gap an "ocean"), and even thermals are "very good."

In the video, Monce controls the OS via Bluetooth mouse (USB works too), stating that, critically, there is no support for touch just yet, but that may be fixed "soon."

In a follow-up clip, Monce demonstrates shaders and even the Adreno GPU are all working well.

Of course, while the project is impressive, there are still many problems that need to be solved for this to be something we could recommend. Touch is the biggest issue, although it seems like that is something solvable given some time. Support for LTE is another, in addition, to support for all the sensors like hall (to detect open and closing power states), gyroscopes for rotation, and the camera. The good news is that these don't seem impossible but require some more experimentation.

Currently, there's no support for any of this work on Surface Duo 2.

The bigger question is will this be useful to regular people? Probably not, as there is not a lot you can do with a tiny Windows 11 PC, even with dual screens, no matter how cool it is to see. Still, if it can be configured as a dual-boot option, running Windows 11 as an option could be a fun experience at the very least and make the $400 price for Surface Duo a worthy investment for those who like to tinker and push the boundaries.

Interestingly, Monce teases, "You know what OS we're trying next," which hints at trying to get "Andromeda OS" to run on Surface Duo, as was the original plan for the dual-screen computer back in 2018. Monce helped our senior Windows editor Zac Bowden get Andromeda running on a Lumia 950, so it looks pretty probable he'll want to try to get it on Duo's actual hardware this time. That could undoubtedly be more exciting, even if that OS was never actually finished.

For more information about this Windows on ARM project, you can head to GitHub to learn how to get Windows 11 on your Surface Duo, but, as noted above, you may want to wait until more work is completed first.

What you need to know

• A recent piece of fan concept art shows what a Surface Duo Slim could look like.
• The hypothetical device folds horizontally rather than vertically like the Surface Duo and Duo 2.
• The Surface Duo Slim concept looks quite a bit like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, though it features two screens rather than a single foldable display.

The Surface Duo 2 improved on the original Duo and has become a more alluring device following a price drop, but its form factor isn't for everyone. If you're interested in a folding phone with two screens that are stacked vertically rather than horizontally, Reddit has a concept image for you. Reddit user Sapounii recently shared a Surface Duo Slim concept.

In contrast with the Surface Duo 2, which folds like a hot dog (the long way), the Surface Duo Slim concept folds like a hamburger. To put it in smartphone terms, the Duo Slim concept looks more like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 than the Surface Duo. The main difference between the hypothetical Microsoft device and Samsung's folding smartphone is that the Duo Slim has two screens rather than one folding one.

The concept shows a device with the standard Surface design elements, such as a light grey body and the Surface logo. It also has a single camera and a flash that look reminiscent of old Lumia phones.

While the device looks unique, Reddit users questioned its practicality. The line through the center of the device would split apps in half rather than allowing you to run apps side-by-side, that is, unless you want to run tiny 4:3 apps. "There is no way that you don't mind the line in the middle. [It's] like a broken flip from the start," said nolan816.

If you're into wacky and unique foldable phones, make sure to check out the Pokémon Edition of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 that was recently teased. It doesn't have a Microsoft logo or the Surface branding, but its design looks like a Pokédex. It also actually exists and will launch later this week in South Korea.

What you need to know

• The Surface Duo and Surface Duo each have small OS updates today.
• Surface Duo's update is just 16.73MB, while Surface Duo 2's is 28.21MB
• The updates are just the monthly April 1 security patch from Google, although Surface Duo 1 gets a minor fix for Miracast.

Today, Microsoft is pushing out some small OS updates for its dual-screen Android phones. The original Surface Duo and newer Surface Duo 2 are getting some small patches via the Android updater.

Historically, the updates are relatively small in size, coming in at just 16.73MB for Surface Duo and a slightly larger 28.21MB for Surface Duo 2. Previous OS updates for both phones were around 200MB, so these are likely minor tweaks or security patches. That said, the original Surface Duo has a small fix for when using Miracast.

Here are the changes for each device:

Surface Duo

• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin—April 2022.
• Fixes pixelated external display when screen sharing via Miracast.

Surface Duo 2

• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin—April 2022.

On Surface Duo 2, our build number jumped from 2022.106.38 to 2022.108.8. For the original Surface Duo, the build on our unlocked phone jumped from 2022.113.26 to 2022.115.10.

So far, Microsoft has been very consistent with its promise of monthly updates for its Surface Duo devices. While there have been periods of just security patches, recent monthly updates have included improvements to the OS, gestures, touch, responsiveness, camera, and adding more inking capabilities.

Google's Android 12L OS update, optimized for dual-screen and foldable phones, is due "later this year" from Microsoft.

Recently, Microsoft dropped the price of Surace Duo 2 from $1,499 to a more desirable $999, although it is unclear if that is a temporary reduction or a new regular price to drive sales. That price cut for Surface Duo 2 can be found at Microsoft.com, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Thanks, Wade S., for the tip!

Save on Surface Duo 2

What you need to know

• The Surface Duo is getting its March 2022 security update.
• The update is 236MB.
• The update bumps the system from version 2022.111.64 to 2022.113.26 and improves stability.

Following a few days after the recent Surface Duo 2 March update, the original Surface Duo is now due for its patch.

There's not a whole lot new in this monthly update, which comes in at 236MB, but besides the latest security fixes, it does improve "device stability," according to the changelog.

The update follows the more significant February release, which tidied up after the big Android 11 release in January, in addition to bringing Apps support to Your Phone.

Like previous Surface Duo releases, this initial wave is only for unlocked device versions. AT&T-branded Surface Duos are likely to get the patch sometime next week, and we'll update this article accordingly.

To grab the update on Surface Duo, follow these instructions:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

Let us know in comments how the update went for you and if you noticed any other fixes.

What you need to know

• Sync for Reddit is a popular third-party Android app for viewing the reddit website.
• A recent update adds dual-pane support for devices like Surface Duo.
• The update is currently in the $4.99 Sync for Reddit (Dev) release but will come to the free version in the coming weeks.

Google's Android 12L is still months from being released, and with it comes official APIs for developers to begin making apps optimized for foldable and dual-screen devices and larger tablets. However, developers can get a head start with some existing tools, which is why many of Microsoft's own apps already support dual-pane layouts for Surface Duo 2.

One popular Reddit app, Sync for Reddit, just had dual-pane support added to the Dev version. Just released within the last day, version v22.3.14 brings dual-pane and tablet mode support options. The changelog is as follows for the new tablet feature:

• Added support for a new tablet mode with side navigation rail
• Added support for dual pane in landscape
• Added tabbed comments!
• The account picker is now much smaller
• Settings now respect the dual-pane mode

When combined with Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2's auto-span support for selected apps, users can open Sync for Reddit into full screen, the dual-pane mode automatically. The experience is quite good, too, as the app has much smoother scrolling than something like Relay (another popular Reddit app for Android).

Of course, there could still be refinements. For example, if you hold an image to view, it only appears on a single screen, which is the expected experience for a dual-paned phone. However, it opens a full-screen image with the Duo's gutter cutting it in half if you tap it. Users have already submitted a request to choose the first behavior instead.

Reddit and Sync for Reddit are great examples of services/apps that can benefit from a dual-screen experience as users tend to open Reddit and spend minutes, if not hours, in it, scrolling, reading, commenting, sharing, and more. These immersive experiences, like Amazon Kindle, or Microsoft Outlook, make sense to be optimized for tablets and foldable phones going forward.

While Sync for Reddit is free (with in-app purchases), the dev version is $4.99 with the twist that you get the latest version and new features much quicker along with an ad-free experience. As the dual-pane part is optimized, along with the other changes in v22.3.14, and there are no bugs, the features will move to the beta version and free production version of Sync for Reddit in the coming weeks.

Android 12L is slated for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 "later this year," according to Google.

What you need to know

• A developer has created a guide for how to dual-boot Windows and Android onto the Surface Duo.
• Windows is quite limited when running on the Surface Duo, including not supporting touch, cellular connectivity, and a list of other important features.
• The Surface Duo is not intended to run Windows, so forcing the operating system onto the hardware could break the device.

Some people have a dream of running a foldable Windows-powered device in their pockets. Developer Gustave Monce is trying to make that dream a reality. He has managed to get Windows to run on Microsoft's foldable and worked with Simone Franco to create a guide for dual-booting Android and Windows onto the Surface Duo.

At its current stage, the Duo running Windows is more of a fun project than something people should hope to use in any functional capacity. While it's possible to get the Surface Duo to run Windows, it will not support touch, pen, or several other key elements. It only

Following the guide, which is available on GitHub, will result in a Surface Duo running both Android and Windows. The device will split its storage in half, committing 64GB for each operating system. Android will run as normal but using Windows will require a PC to boot.

If it wasn't clear by the nature of the process, this isn't an intended use case for the Surface Duo. The installation guide warns that running Windows on the Surface Duo is in early preview.

"We don't take any responsibility for any damage done to your phone. By following this guide, you agree to take full responsibility of your actions," explains the guide. "We have done some testing, but this is AN EARLY PREVIEW and things can go wrong."

The process has only been tested with the 128GB version of the Surface Duo. It's compatible with devices running Android 10 or Android 11.

Monce has worked extensively to get Windows to run on devices that were never meant to run the operating system. Most famously, he managed to get the full version of Windows to run on a Lumia 950.

Hacking Windows onto devices takes time and often relies on gap fillers to deliver functionality. But if you're a technical user that has a spare Surface Duo around, it's possible to have it run Windows.

What you need to know

• In a new blog post, Google gave more details on the Android 12L update coming "later this year."
• For the first time, Google revealed that "planned updates" for 12L are coming to Microsoft devices.
• Android 12L is not a separate branch of Android but rather a specific release focused on optimizing for new foldable Android devices that will morph into Android 13 and beyond.

Google has been working on its '12L' version of Android, an update to the mobile OS that is coming later this year to select devices. Optimized for larger screens and ones that fold (including dual screens), the OS is set to catapult the next generation of mobile devices while also giving developers the tools needed to improve their apps.

Today, in a short blog post VP of Engineering, Android, Andrei Popescu, gave some more details about Android 12L, including highlighting some new OS features that are part of the update.

But the more important news is the mention at the end of the post:

"Starting later this year, we'll bring 12L to your favorite tablets and foldables with planned updates from Samsung, Lenovo and Microsoft. And we'll continue to build more features and functionalities to help you make the most of your larger screen devices in Android 13 and beyond."

While Windows Central has heard from sources that Microsoft would be skipping Android 12 on Surface Duo/Surface Duo 2 and going right to Android 12L, this is the first public confirmation of that effort.

Interestingly, there was some confusion that Android 12L was some unique "fork" or branch of Android built for these devices, but that is not the case. While Android 12L focuses on new form factors, its core changes will be, pardon the pun, folded into Android 13 and later:

The features demonstrated in the article are nothing new. Google shows off how users can "drag-and-drop any app from the taskbar to enter split-screen mode so you can do two things at once," something that Surface Duo (via Microsoft Launcher) has been doing since day one. The dual-paned notification screen also gives quick controls on one side and notifications on the other, which was revealed in late 2021 when Android 12L was first announced.

While the new UX changes are welcomed in Android 12L, OEMs don't necessarily have to utilize them. Microsoft Launcher already handles many of these tasks, but in an effort to reduce redundancy, Microsoft may opt to lean on Google's more native implementation should it prove superior.

As far as a timeline for the release of Android 12L, Google states, "later this year." The OS is expected to be finished before June and could hit devices closer towards the fall (although it is uncertain at this time).

Perhaps the bigger deal for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 is not the OS itself, but the APIs for developers, who can then optimize applications for dual screens, folding displays, and those with larger formats. Those apps will significantly impact Surface Duo than some native changes found in Android 12L as an OS.

For those still interested in Surface Duo 2, Microsoft has officially dropped the price by $250 online and through Best Buy. The entry-level model now begins at $1,250 instead of $1,500.

What you need to know

• The original Surface Duo is getting a big update for February.
• The update brings Your Phone "Apps" to Surface Duo, just like Surface Duo 2.
• The update is 565MB and bumps the system to version 2022.111.64 and improves device and UI stability and system performance.

Microsoft hasn't forgotten about the original Surface Duo following its long-overdue Android 11 update back in January. Like Surface Duo 2, which received a sizable update today, Surface Duo 1 is also getting in on the action.

The 565MB update brings more than just the February Android Security bulletin, thankfully. While Android 11 has generally been well-received on Surface Duo, there are always improvements that can be made, and Microsoft seems to be addressing those with this update.

Moreover, there is also a new feature: Your Phone "Apps" support. Like Surface Duo 2 (and Samsung Android phones), Surface Duo can now run Android apps via Your Phone directly instead of the screen mirroring feature.

Here's what's new with update version 2022.111.64:

• With the Your Phone app, you can use Android apps on your PC. For more information on using Surface Duo with your PC see Link Surface Duo to your PC.
• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – February 2022.
• Improves device and UI stability.
• Improves system performance.
• Improves reliability in the Android Auto experience.

While we haven't tried the update ourselves, this looks like a worthy update for Surface Duo owners. The Apps feature for Your Phone brings Surface Duo more parity with Surface Duo 2, something we expect to continue with future updates.

To grab the update on Surface Duo, follow these instructions:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

Microsoft does note, however, that AT&T users will have to still wait a bit longer for this update as it is still "testing this release, and it is pending final validation." Typically, AT&T Surface Duos get the update a week or two later.

Let us know in the comments how the update has gone for you.

What you need to know

• The Android 11 update is out for Surface Duo.
• The update is 2.38GB in size and is available now.
• The update brings auto app-spanning, a new Photos app, UI changes, and bug fixes.
• The AT&T-branded model is also now getting Android 11 as of Feb 1.

Update 5PM ET 2/1/2022: The AT&T version of Surface Duo is now getting Android 11 as well.

Despite promises of regular updates, the original Surface Duo hasn't seen much in the way of substantial fixes or improvements. The last update to even reference stability was back in June, as since then, the company has only pushed out monthly security patches.

But now, after a very long wait, Android 11 is here for Surface Duo. Android 11 was actually released back in September, which doesn't sound too bad, except that it was September 2020. Android is now up to version 12, which various OEMs are slowly pushing to devices.

The update brings Surface Duo more on par, software-wise, with Surface Duo 2, which launched with Android 11.

The Android 11 update brings various UI changes, like a wider notification shade, updated Launcher widgets, new volume and brightness controls, improved app folers, and a refreshed Settings layout. The update also adds new features like auto app-spanning for user-selected apps, a new Photos app (based on OneDrive), and more support for a Surface Pen, which can now be used in Outlook or to markup photos.

Users can also now launch OneNote using the Surface Pen's top button, just like Surface Duo 2 after its recent December update.

Additionally, other stability, gestures, and touch improvements come with a new OS and firmware for the Surface Duo, which hopefully improves the overall performance and user experience.

Here's the official changelog from Microsoft:

• Upgrades the Android operating system to Android 11.
• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin—January 2022.
• Enabled launching of OneNote when clicking the top button on Surface Slim Pen 2. It requires Surface Slim Pen 2 to be paired with Surface Duo.
• Enabled in Surface Duo features, in Settings, to choose preference for answering phone calls when folded.
• Enabled in Surface Duo features, in Settings, to choose specific apps to automatically span across both screens when you open them.
• Optimized Quick Settings and notification width for portrait and landscape orientations.
• Adjust media volume directly from Quick Settings in any device mode.
• Use thumb mode in Microsoft SwiftKey now with all device modes and application states.
• Updated app drawer and folder design with improved drag-and-drop support.
• Refreshed Microsoft feed design with updated cards and new Microsoft Start widgets for News and Weather.
• Photos by OneDrive: New dual-screen enhanced experience for viewing and editing photos in the OneDrive app.
• Xbox Game Pass: Discovery and play games from the cloud with an on-screen controller. Some devices, accessories, and software sold separately. Additional fees and/or subscriptions required for some apps and features.
• Send feedback to Microsoft by opening Settings, then tap About, then tap Give feedback to Microsoft.

To grab the update yourself, use these steps:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo's home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

The update is rolling out now for unlocked models of the Surface Duo. The update for the AT&T handset usually arrives a couple of weeks later. As of 5PM ET on February 1, 2022, the AT&T variant is also now getting Android 11.

Of course, while Android 11 is a welcomed upgrade for those who took financial risks to buy Surface Duo, all eyes are now on Android 12L, which is better optimized for the Duo's dual-screen experience. While that OS brings improved features like a dual-screen notification shade, its real value is in the official APIs for app developers to target foldables like Surface Duo 1 and Surface Duo 2.

Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans note that the company is tinkering with internal beta builds of Android 12L, but there is no official release target yet set. It's also not clear if that version will come to Surface Duo 1, although Microsoft promised three years of OS updates for both Surface Duos.

Android 12L is not expected to launch publicly until sometime in the first half of 2022.

What you need to know

• A developer is attempting to get Windows running on a Surface Duo in a "usable" state.
• Some elements of Windows have been forced onto the Duo, but critical components have still not been worked out.
• The project is in its "early days" and is not near completion at this time.

Developer Gustave Monce is trying to get Windows onto the Surface Duo. This isn't the first time that Monce has worked on getting Windows to run on pieces of hardware it wasn't intended for. He's one of the minds behind the LumiaWOA project that involves getting Windows on ARM to run on Lumia hardware. At the moment, the work to get Windows onto the Surface Duo is in its early stages.

Monce explains in a Twitter thread that the end goal is to boot Windows on the Surface Duo in a somewhat "usable" state. A Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) port has already been made, and some drivers already work. Notably, Monce has not managed to get the display panels to work on the Duo when running Windows.

Getting software to run on hardware that it wasn't meant for is complicated and difficult. The process usually takes time and moves forward gradually, so we will likely see snippets from Monce as things move forward.

If you're more interested in a software experience on the Surface Duo that actually works, Microsoft recently shipped the January 2022 update to the Surface Duo 2. Android 11 also rolled out for the original Surface Duo this month.

Microsoft has today provided an update on the status of the Android 11 update for Surface Duo V1. The company had initially stated that it intended to ship the update before the end of 2021, but that never happened. Now, Microsoft has issued a statement to Windows Central that explains why the update never arrived and when users can expect to see it begin rolling out.

The statement comes from Kimmo Lehtosalo, Senior Director of Program Management at Microsoft who provided the following:

So, the good news is the Android 11 update for Surface Duo V1 will begin rolling out within the next few weeks. Original Surface Duo customers have been left without a major Android OS update for over a year, which has meant critical bug fixes and stability improvements haven't been delivered.

According to our own sources, the Android 11 update for Surface Duo V1 has been done for a handful of weeks, but never began rolling out due to the holiday break. Now that the holidays are over, Microsoft can resume preparing the update for rollout, pushing it through "validation and certification" with partners such as Google and AT&T.

Microsoft says the update will begin rolling out to unlocked Surface Duo devices in the next few weeks, meaning it may take a little longer for locked AT&T models to receive the update. The good news is that if history is anything to go by, it won't be more than a couple of weeks wait between unlocked and locked devices getting the update.

Hopefully we'll begin to see more updates roll out for Surface Duo 1 and 2 once Android 11 is shipping on both devices. We know the next update for Surface Duo 2 will include support for customizing the Surface Pen's shortcut buttons, as well as add support for Your Phone's "Apps" feature. Perhaps the Surface Duo 1 will get similar improvements in the next few months now that it will also be based on Android 11?

Microsoft's next major Android release is also now in development internally, and our sources say Microsoft has opted to skip Android 12 and jump straight to Android 12L for the next OS upgrade. This is good news for Duo users, as the Android 12L release has significant improvements for devices like Surface Duo and other foldable and dual-screen devices. Hopefully we'll hear more about that in the coming weeks.

For now, it's good to see Microsoft being more transparent with its customers about the whereabouts of the next major Android update for Surface Duo V1 customers. The wait is almost over.

Back in September, Microsoft confirmed to media that it was working on bringing Android 11 to Surface Duo V1 customers before the end of 2021. That news came after the company had already said it planned to ship Android 11 for Surface Duo 1 in the summer of 2021. Unfortunately, as 2022 begins, Microsoft still hasn't delivered this crucial update.

This has left a sour taste in a lot of Duo users mouths, and rightly so. Microsoft for whatever reason has somehow managed to trip up at every hurdle when it comes to supporting the Surface Duo so far. Keep in mind that Surface Duo V1 hasn't received ANY bug fixes since July, likely because resources were shifted over to finalizing the Android 11 update instead.

Leaving Surface Duo V1 without bug fixes for half a year is frankly unacceptable given the state that the OS is in with Android 10. Surface Duo launched in an incredibly buggy state, and while Microsoft did begin fixing bugs and issues throughout the first half of 2021, the Duo is still in too buggy of a state to be considered acceptable, making the pause on bug fixes in the summer frankly mind boggling.

That's why we've been holding out hope for the Android 11 release, as it's understood that the Android 11 update has lots of fixes and enhancements that will bring the Duo 1 up to par with the Surface Duo 2 in regard to stability and features (where appropriate.) So Android 11 not shipping in 2021 on Duo V1 has left Duo customers without any real improvements since the device launched 15 months ago.

I've said this before, but Microsoft is the problem with Surface Duo. If the Surface Duo was a Samsung, Google, or Apple product, you can bet that those companies would have done everything in their power to fix up the product within the first few months of it being on the market. They would have been responsive about issues, and would've kept its customers assured that improvements and fixes were on the way.

Meanwhile, here in the Microsoft world, I had to reach out to Microsoft to get an update on whether Android 11 would still be arriving before the end of 2021, and the company took a literal week to respond, coming back without comment, which was rather useless. It's a joke, it's unacceptable, and I can't believe Microsoft has the audacity to act like this given its terrible track record with phones in general.

Microsoft should have taken my reaching out for comment as an opportunity to be transparent with customers and confirm that the update wouldn't be arriving before the end of 2021, and then provide a new ETA or possibly even a short explanation as to why it would be late. That would have been good enough. Delays happen, just let us know beforehand so we're not left disappointed.

I love Surface Duo as a concept. I love the hardware, I love the uniqueness of the form factor, and I truly believe dual-screen is a viable option for enhancing productivity on a mobile device. But Microsoft keeps making it harder and harder to recommend this product to people. I don't know how Microsoft thinks it's going to turn Surface Duo into a growth product if it keeps treating its existing customers like this.

Microsoft is going to be the sole reason this product ultimately fails if it doesn't start taking Surface Duo more seriously. Surface Duo 2 launched in a much better state, which hopefully means that a Surface Duo 3 will be even better out of the gate whenever that launches. But now Microsoft needs to prove to its existing customers that it's going to properly support Duo V1 and V2 with new features, bug fixes, and improvements on a regular basis throughout 2022.

Luckily, the wait for Android 11 on Duo 1 is almost over. My sources say the Android 11 update for Surface Duo is in fact done and should begin rolling out once the update has been certified by Google and AT&T. Hopefully that will happen in the next couple of weeks.

Additionally, my sources say work on bringing the next major Android release to Duo has already begun. I hear Microsoft has decided to skip Android 12 and jump straight to Android 12L for Duo instead. This is actually really good news, as 12L has a number of improvements that will benefit the Duo form factor in significant ways. I'm yet to hear when 12L will drop for Surface Duo 1/2, but I do know the company wants to get it out much faster than it did Android 11.

I'm holding out hope that 2022 is going to be a better year for Duo users than 2021 was. I hope to see more updates, more new features, and more bug fixes on a regular basis. I think it's the least Microsoft can do for its customers.

What you need to know

• A new Microsoft patent shows a triple-screen device.
• The patent was filed back in June 2020 but just became available publicly.
• The design could possibly solve one of the biggest complaints about Surface Duo.

Update 10 PM ET 12/27: Added more context regarding the hinges and how the device folds.

When Microsoft announced its dual-screened Surface Duo, the running joke was that the company should make a Surface Uno next — a revolutionary smartphone with a single display. The humor went in the other direction, too, with people remarking it could do a triple-screened handheld and call it Surface Trio.

It turns out, Microsoft was thinking the same thing.

A new patent was posted on December 23, 2021 (filed on June 23, 2020), and spotted by Patently Apple, shows Microsoft has ideas on how a triple-screen smartphone (presumably) could work.

While the patent is quite long and technical, there is a single drawing (seen below) associated with the idea to illustrate the concept.

The device (1400) features three displays (1402, 1404, and 1408), all connected by two hinge areas (1406 and 1410).

So, basically, just Surface Duo's design plus an extra display.

What makes the concept interesting is since this is a hinged device, it can collapse in on itself to again become a single-screen form factor, e.g., with display 1408 facing outward all the time when "closed."

A closer look

Analsyis of why a 'Surface Trio' could work

Let me connect the dots for you on why this design could be significant.

One of the constant debates about Surface Duo right now is the "need" for an external display. While you can reverse-fold Surface Duo to expose both displays all the time, like a standard phone, most people will close it when not in use, leaving no screens exposed. That also limits what you can see, and it is one reason I argued Microsoft should do a wearable to help alleviate that limitation.

With Surface Duo 2, Microsoft introduced the Glance Bar to help with notifications and more info when Surface Duo is closed. However, it's still not ideal for many who want more glanceable (and interactive) information.

With this new patent, this device folds down into a single screen device with display 1408 constantly exposed. It effectively becomes just a single-screen phone and solves the need for an external display, and you get a full, uncorrupted screen to use as you would.

However, you can now unfold this device to reveal a triple screen device, which sounds a bit weird to hold and use. But there is a good reason to think that you could leave displays 1404 and 1408 folded back-to-back, leaving just display 1402 and 1404 (with 1408 behind it) exposed.

This configuration would effectively create a dual-screen experience again.

It's all a bit reminiscent of the tri-fold tablet seen in the HBO show Westworld:

Indeed, looking more closely at the image, section 1402 seems thicker than both 1404 and 1408. In fact, it looks twice as thick. That would make sense since most of the "guts," including the battery and camera, could be in section 1402, while the other displays (1404 and 1408) could be thinner with only a few components and wiring.

When folded back-to-back, both 1404 and 1408 would, ideally, equal the thickness of 1402, giving balance to the device.

It's also worth noting that these hinges appear to be unidirectional and not bidirectional like the current Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2. Since they do not need to "reverse fold" with this design, there should be no gap between the displays, and instead, it would be one continuous screen with the glass edges meeting each other.

From the patent itself:

Of course, the big question is how (and what) a triple screen experience would be like were one to leave it lying flat as the patent describes. I presume that display 1402 could be just all keyboards with the other two functioning as screens, but it's not entirely clear as things get weird at this level.

Either way, Microsoft is still engaging in the idea of multi-display devices, which include smartphones and laptops, either of which could potentially benefit from this design.

However, whether Microsoft brings such a concept to the market remains to be seen. Like many tech companies, Microsoft files for many patents, with only a few ever turning into actual products.

Finally, while three screens seem odd, Samsung is rumored to be headed in the same direction.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher is back to getting updates via the Google Play Store for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 owners.
• Previously, Microsoft had pulled the updates likely due to a blocking bug, which has now been resolved.
• Original Surface Duo owners now have a visual refresh that matches Surface Duo 2.

Back in late October, Microsoft paused updates for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2's Launcher app via the Google Play Store. At the time, it was speculated that perhaps Launcher's builds were being forked for some special Surface Duo features, but later learned it was likely due to some internal software issue that needed to be resolved.

Starting last night, both Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 are now back to getting their respective Launcher app updates via the Google Play Store (instead of monthly system updates). Additionally, the app now appears in search, whereas before, it did not while Microsoft resolved the ongoing issue.

Interestingly, Surface Duo's update is more of a big deal. It brings the slightly refreshed design found on Surface Duo 2 with Android 11, including updated Widgets in the Your Feed (Glance, News) sidebar and improved translucency. These updated designs more closely match Windows 11 with rounded corners and updated graphics. Likewise, the app drawer now matches Surface Duo 2's, with a new grab bar near the top.

Not much has changed for Surface Duo 2 owners, though presumably there are always minor tweaks going on with each update.

The Google Play Store updates should apply for regular versions and those enrolled in the Microsoft Launcher beta program. Here is the full changelog for the beta version, which brings the new UI changes described above:

• Launcher's feed and overall design were updated.
• The News feed experience was enhanced.
• The toggle between work and personal apps was improved.
• Additional filters are now available to improve searching.
• Other known bugs were fixed, and improvements were made.

Microsoft is poised to distribute the Android 11 update for original Surface Duo owners, though it is cutting it down to the wire as it stated "by year's end" for the release. Indeed, updating Microsoft Launcher to match Surface Duo 2's look and feel is a necessary step in that process, so this may be a good sign that the update is imminent.

Microsoft's original Surface Duo introduced a unique form factor to the mobile phone space. It features two screens and an incredibly then body, even when folded shut. It has since been succeeded by the Surface Duo 2, which builds off the original while having significant improvements across the board. While the Surface Duo 2 is newer and more refined, it is also much more expensive ($1,500). If you'd like to try out Microsoft's dual-screen mobile vision without breaking the bank, you can pick up an original Surface Duo. Right now, it's on sale for $400 through Woot, though stock is limited.

The discounted model includes 256GB of storage and is locked to AT&T. That means you either have to be on AT&T's network or be willing to switch to get cellular service on the Surface Duo. While it's not the intention of the device, you could pick up the discounted Surface Duo to use as a foldable tablet. The original Surface Duo normally costs $700 on Microsoft's website.

Save on Surface Duo

The Surface Duo currently runs Android 10 but is set to receive Android 11 before the end of 2021. Hopefully, that will improve the software experience, which was criticized in Surface Duo reviews. While the software update will likely improve the performance of the device, it's important to purchase tech for what it can do at the moment, not what it could hopefully do in the future. Make sure to check out our coverage of the Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 before picking either up.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has delivered the inking toolkit for its Outlook app on Android.
• The ability to directly ink in a new email message is now available for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2.
• The new feature is found in the app version 4.2145.1.

During the press rounds for Surface Duo 2, one of the new features advertised was drawing directly in a new Outlook email message. However, while Surface Duo 2 launched, the inking feature was nowhere to be seen.

Now, in a just pushed-out version 4.2145.1 update the inking toolset is live for both Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2.

The feature is relatively simple: There is now a fifth tool icon near the bottom in the shape of a pen tip in a new email message. Tapping the icon brings up the toolbox with a pen, highlighter, pencil, and eraser options. Users can modify the color and thickness of the inking tools as expected.

Launching the inking toolkit creates a "sketch" within the new email message letting users also fully expand the window to full-screen for even more space to draw out an idea or image. Users can then save the drawing to the email message and create multiple and separate sketch entries in the same message.

While not a groundbreaking feature, the ability to ink in Outlook is another overdue one that makes using the Surface Slim Pen 2 and Surface Duo 2 Pen Cover more useful for everyday tasks. Likewise, in the OneDrive beta app, there is the capability to "markup" a photo using the same toolkit, letting users draw on images from the camera roll.

While Surface Duo 2 has yet to receive a meaningful system update, our sources hinted at a significant update later in December that focuses on some bug fixes (adding animations for app launches) and a few new features (e.g., choosing a default display). Additionally, Android 11 should also be launching for the original Surface Duo around the same time. According to sources familiar with the matter, that update was recently signed off on internally, likely meeting that "by the end of the year" public comment from Microsoft.

What you need to know

• It is November 2021, and that means it's time for the monthly Surface Duo update.
• All that's on the docket this month is the classic Android security update patch note.
• Software versions for this update are 2021.1019.24 (North America), 2021.1019.26 (Europe), and 2021.1019.25 (AT&T locked Duo).

Another month of Surface Duo updates. Or, as they are now unofficially called, Android Security Bulletin PSAs. Here's the only item on November 2021's Duo update log: "Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin – November 2021."

That's it. Get your security update, and get on with life, because Microsoft doesn't have any other goodies to offer at the moment, especially not of the variety many Duo owners are waiting on. Here's the new version number for each classic Duo type:

• 2021.1019.24 (North America)
• 2021.1019.26 (Europe)
• 2021.1019.25 (AT&T Locked Device)

You can read the November 2021 Duo update log on Microsoft's site, but you've already read its entire contents here, so, yeah. The whole update clocks in at 42.74MB in size.

Perhaps you're wondering if there's a different Duo product that Microsoft is focusing its attention on. Something like a Surface Duo 2. Well, you'd be correct, as there is indeed a Duo 2 that's been hogging the limelight for much of October and November. The sequel device is expensive, but if you have an original Duo, you may still be eligible to trade it in at Best Buy and shave $700 off the price of the newer, fancier foldable.

Alternatively, you can hold onto your original Duo and wait for the day Microsoft decides to give it an Android OS bump. There's no telling when that day will be, but it should be "soon." Probably. Maybe.

I am sold on the idea of folding phones, that much is true. I've tried the Surface Duo 1, and I recently wrote about how, ironically, the Surface Duo 1 made me go out and grab a Samsung Galaxy Fold 3. Why? Because Microsoft has shown time, and time again, that it cannot execute software. This is a wild thing to write given the fact that Microsoft is very much known for its software.

Our executive editor Daniel Rubino recently put out our full Surface Duo 2 review, explaining that while it's a massive improvement on the original, it's still not quite there yet. I was very almost considering selling off my Galaxy Fold 3 to grab a Surface Duo 2, but the reviews ultimately swayed me otherwise.

After using the Galaxy Fold 3 for a few months now, it's apparent that the Duo 2 hardware may actually be preferable for me as a multi-tasking-oriented device. I think Microsoft (and Samsung, for that matter) are entirely on the right track with these devices. And sure, they may never be the mainstream form factor people want, but for certain types of users, they take the concept of a smartphone to the next level. The problem is, right now, I know that Samsung is able to deliver in those crucial places where Microsoft simply, well, can't.

Why is that? And can it ever be solved? Or are we once again at the precipice of another Windows Phone-style disaster scenario?

Where the Duo beats the Fold

I'm a heavy phone user, spending several hours a day glued to this rectangular hell portal we call the internet. Judgments of my life choices aside, at the very least I can bring you an in-depth perspective of both devices put head to head.

The Duo 2 has Corning Gorilla Glass. The Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 has a plastic outer layer and a micro-thin flexible glass layer underneath. I shouldn't have to go deeper than that to explain which device is sturdier.

My Galaxy Fold 3 has picked up scuffs, bumps, and scrapes just from sharing a pocket with a loose coin. This phone is just so damn fragile, and it's annoying having to carry this phone around with a painstaking fear of it spontaneously combusting. I haven't had a phone this fragile, like, maybe ever. My friend's Nokia Lumia 920 survived a fall from a multi-story car park relatively unscathed. With the Galaxy Fold 3, I'm worried I'll shatter the screen if I look at it the wrong way.

There's also been plenty of criticism leveraged at the Surface Duo's multi-screen setup, with people calling it impractical or unintuitive. And sure, at first, it's a bit tough to adapt years of mental training for how phones work. It's harder still if you're not someone who would use those kinds of features often. I am, however, a chronic phone addict. Being able to side-by-side Reddit and Telegram is great for me, and it's something I do frequently on the Galaxy Fold. Ironically, though, the Duo 1 was arguably better at it.

The Duo software gives you more control over how and where links open. Since it knows and expects two specific regions of the phone where apps can open and interact with each other. The Fold 3 method is an extension of Samsung's built-in multitasking feature. The virtual screens work in silos, and can't interact with each other easily. If I open a link in Telegram, I want it to open up separately to the conversation I'm having. On the Fold 3, it opens in the same panel every time, which defeats the point of multi-tasking scenarios for me. On the Duo, it will try to more intelligently open links on the screen you're currently not using.

The problem is ... Microsoft removed this functionality on the Duo 2, which is maddeningly confusing. The Duo 1 even had a cool animation when you opened a link, shifting the content onto the unused screen. Is Microsoft even testing their own phones? And no, I won't leave a report in the Feedback Hub. How about testing your own devices, Mr. Trillion Dollar Company?

Does the Surface Duo have enough investment?

The thing that makes the Surface line so unreliable for me is the inconsistent support. We're still a year into the Surface Duo 1 not having the promised Android 11 update. The Surface Duo 2 shipped with weird animation bugs that Microsoft itself said would be fixed by launch, yet they are still broken. The Surface team doesn't communicate very well either, which is not a great way to build up a community around the devices. Your early adopters are your front line of marketing, and if you can't give them a good experience, how do you hope to entertain the masses?

The Galaxy Fold also has the benefit of a much larger team, already working with a far more mature OS. For what it lacks in good multitasking features, the Galaxy Fold 3 makes up for it with a wealth of expected features like wireless charging, a non-Google payment alternative system, its own app store, full theming, and skinning options, and much more. The Duo 2 barely reaches beyond stock Android. We do now have a non-Google photos app through a new OneDrive feature, and a more robust camera experience, but it's nowhere near enough.

The problem with the Surface Duo, as I've argued before, could be a lack of investment. For Samsung, Galaxy is its bread and butter, so you might expect it to get more serious backing. The Surface Duo feels like a side project, within a side project, which is not exactly reassuring. Sure, it's a multi-billion dollar side project, but when Microsoft can't even land the basics at launch, I'm left feeling how I felt when I unwrapped the Lumia 950 XL, with half-baked software, rammed with bugs and unfinished features. Unlike the Lumia 950 XL, though, the Surface Duo 2 is $1,500. 1,500. Dollars.

You could argue that the price is so high to offset the costs of R&D. That hinge system is by no means simple, and would've been incredibly costly not only to develop but also manufacture. You could also argue that, because the Duo is pure hardware, with no software upsell like a Galaxy Store or a Google Play Store, Microsoft needs these types of prices to keep the dual-screen Duo even vaguely profitable.

Those are business considerations, though. As an end-user, even as a tech enthusiast and a frequent early adopter, I'm left wondering whether Microsoft is actually serious about the Duo line, or if it's some kind of vanity project that will die in the same drawer as Razer's ill-fated phone line.

Can Microsoft fix this?

Microsoft doesn't have a good history with phones, for various obvious reasons. They've also failed to make a good first, and now second impression with the Duo lineup, with many YouTubers and tech reviewers lining up to bash it. Even the heaviest Microsoft apologists likely have bad memories of Windows 10 Mobile fresh in their minds, left wondering if, indeed, Microsoft is serious this time around.

Folding phones may not be how the mainstream wants to use their devices, but dangit, it's how I want to use my devices. I want seamless multitasking. I want the boosted screen real estate. I want the big-screen media experience. And I want inking capabilities. I also just love the uniqueness of the thing. Phones used to be fun, and foldables make them fun once again for me, in a world of relentless iPhone copycats. The Duo fails to put the fun in fundamentals though, given that it misses the mark in far too many ways for a $1,500 handset. The battery life, camera performance, and software quality are nowhere near where it needs to be.

The Surface Duo 2 like its predecessor is a vision of a truly amazing phone, gradually coming into focus. It reminds me of the Surface Pro line in a lot of ways. It wasn't until the Surface Pro 3 that Microsoft truly nailed that form factor and changed tablet computing forever along with it. I desperately want to believe that like the Surface Pro, the third time may be the charm.

What you need to know

• Microsoft Launcher is no longer available via the Play Store for Surface Duo users.
• Future updates will come through monthly system updates instead.
• The move suggests Microsoft may be forking the codebase for a more optimized experience on Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2.

Update: Windows Central is hearing that this may have more to do with the Surface team controlling what goes on Surface Duo rather than Launcher getting "forked" for the dual-screen devices. However, we are waiting to confirm this report.

Microsoft Launcher has been on the Google Play Store for a few years now, and with Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2, the company has customized the launcher to fit its dual-screen vision.

Technically, the Microsoft Launcher version on the store for all Android phones and Duo is the exact same app, but certain features are disabled via policy changes for Surface Duo. Users could use the production version or opt-in to the beta variant where some early fixes were pushed out.

But starting in the last week, Microsoft Launcher no longer shows up in the store for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 users. Following the hard link, the app states, "this app isn't compatible with your device anymore." Additionally, beta users are advised to "uninstall and reinstall this app."

Most people chalked this up to typical Microsoft errors. Surface Duo owners blamed compatibility issues with the new device, while Surface Duo 2 owners were left scratching their heads.

We reached out to Microsoft's Vishnu Nath, Partner Director PM Microsoft Mobile and X-Device, who works on Launcher, for clarification:

While a rather terse explanation, it does confirm that this is deliberate and not some Play Store error. From now on, Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 owners should expect Microsoft Launcher updates via system updates similar to the one pushed last week for Surface Duo 2.

As to why Microsoft is doing this, two theories come to mind:

1. Microsoft wants tighter control over Microsoft Launcher for Surface Duo
2. Microsoft Launcher may soon be going in a very different direction with new code that requires a different delivery method

Of those two explanations, number 2 is the most interesting. Our Surface Duo 2 review remarked that Microsoft Launcher had been effectively stagnating for most of its life on Surface Duo with only modest bug fixes but no new features. While the pre-installed version on Surface Duo 2 is ahead of the public version, there's not much new in it save for some updated graphics for the feed area.

Since Surface Duo is a journey for Microsoft, it makes sense that Microsoft Launcher may soon fork the codebase as it heads into Android 11 (and perhaps even the just-announced Android 12L) territories. If Microsoft Launcher becomes, at its core, different from the regular Android version, using the current "single app" method may no longer be viable.

Of course, none of this is confirmed by Microsoft, so we'll continue digging.

During Surface Duo 2 briefings, Microsoft did confirm to Windows Central that it is exploring more customization options for its foldable phones, hinting we could finally see some more innovation with Microsoft Launcher. Separating the app in the Play Store and tying it to monthly updates could be that first step.

Watch this space.

What you need to know

• The October 2021 Surface Duo security update is here.
• It's 51MB in size.
• It brings the version number up to 2021.913.25 for those in North America, 2021.913.26 for Europeans, and 2021.913.27 for locked AT&T device users.

Another month, another Surface Duo update. This time around, it's an extremely lightweight 51MB update that "addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - October 2021." That's the entirety of Microsoft's update log for the month.

Here are the new version numbers:

• 2021.913.25 (North America)
• 2021.913.26 (Europe)
• 2021.913.27 (AT&T Locked Device)

In short, it's not a grand update. What is a grand update is the Surface Duo 2, which will be getting the lion's share of Microsoft's attention from now on. It has a new camera setup and other improvements custom-built to improve upon the original Duo, which is still doing its thing and giving us a reason to post these monthly update logs.

Stay tuned for any major Android updates that may befall the original Surface Duo in the near future, be that in November or December. Or, if not by the end of 2021, then January or February. Basically, expect a big update at some point soon.

Thanks, Andrew R., for the tip!

What you need to know

• The original Surface Duo should receive Android 11 before the end of 2021, according to Microsoft.
• Microsoft just announced the Surface Duo 2, which will ship with Android 11 in October 2021.
• Many people have complained about Android 11 taking so long to make its way onto the Surface Duo.

Microsoft announced the Surface Duo 2 this week. The foldable device looks like a major upgrade over its predecessor. It will also ship with Android 11. In contrast, Microsoft hasn't confirmed a release date for Android 11 on the original Surface Duo. The company did, however, share a loose timeframe for the update to roll out to the first-generation Surface Duo.

"We remain committed to providing updates to Surface Duo, and we're working to bring Android 11 to existing customers before the end of this year," said a Microsoft spokesperson to The Verge.

If Android 11 ships to the original Surface Duo by the end of the year, it will arrive on the foldable around the same time other devices receive Android 12. This would place the original Surface Duo one year behind big-name devices in terms of Android support.

Many have complained about the software experience on the Surface Duo, including our senior editor Zac Bowden back in July. "Microsoft's version of Android that powers Surface Duo still feels like it's in beta, and that's probably because it is," said Bowden. "The device has countless issues, many of which are encountered at least once a day. And things just aren't moving fast enough."

Earlier this month, Bowden reviewed the Surface Duo after one year of use. He brought up software issues and Android 11 again:

Reports from earlier this year suggested that Android 11 might ship to the Surface Duo over the summer, but the update still hasn't rolled out. Microsoft's latest update confirms that the update should roll out within the next three months.

What you need to know

• Microsoft recently shipped the September 2021 update for the Surface Duo.
• The update addresses items outlined in the Android Security Bulletin from September 2021.
• Android 11 is not included in this update.

Microsoft's Surface Duo recently received another monthly update. Following the update, unlocked Surface Duo's in North America will bump to software versions 2021.817.35 and 2021.817.37, respectively. The update includes security fixes but does not bring any new features. Microsoft started shipping the update on September 16, 2021.

"Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - September 2021," reads the changelog for the update. You can read the complete Android Security Bulletin from this month at android.com.

Those waiting for Android 11 to ship to the Surface Duo will have to continue to be patient. Microsoft still hasn't confirmed a release date for Android 11 on the Surface Duo. Our senior editor Zac Bowden touches on this in his piece covering one year with the Surface Duo.

The Surface Duo 2 will reportedly ship with Android 11 out of the box. Microsoft will likely announce the Surface Duo 2 on September 22, 2021 at its Surface hardware event. The foldable device will likely be unveiled alongside the Surface Pro 8, Surface Book 4 (which may go by another name), and other new Surface hardware.

To grab the update yourself, use these steps:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo's home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

Once we receive the update on our hardware, we'll add the size of the update to this piece. A similar update from July 2021 was 20 MB, so it's reasonable to expect this new update to be small as well.

Microsoft's Surface Duo has been available to buy for one year today. Announced almost two years ago at an event in New York City, the Surface Duo has been a polarizing device for being both Microsoft's re-entry into the phone market and its first "foldable" device.

I've been using the Surface Duo as my only smartphone for an entire year, so I'm pretty familiar with it at this point. So, one year on, how is the Surface Duo today? Has Microsoft been good to its customers? Have all the issues been ironed out? Are dual-screens the future?

It's complicated.

Microsoft is right about dual-screens

I was a Galaxy Fold user for about 10 months before I picked up my Surface Duo in September 2020. So, I've had ample time to experience both foldable screen and dual-screen form factors. When the Surface Duo was first announced, many criticized Microsoft for opting for a dual-screen setup instead of the technically superior foldable screen, but I think Microsoft was right in its decision.

After one year of using dual screens, I don't think I could ever go back to using a single-screen foldable, let alone a standard slab phone. The "defined real-estate," as Microsoft Surface chief Panos Panay put it, is no joke. It really does make a difference in your overall productivity and workflow. It's not something you notice when using the device, but this defined real-estate forces you to multitask in ways the Galaxy Fold doesn't.

For example, on the Surface Duo, I often open up both Telegram and Twitter. I'll be scrolling through my Twitter feed while checking my missed messages in group chats. If I need to type out a long paragraph, I just fold back one of the screens and begin typing. This experience on the Galaxy Fold is not so straight forward. I have to open Twitter, then manually initiate multitasking mode before I can even see Telegram next to it. It's a process that I have to think about first.

I don't have to think about that process on Surface Duo. It just happens. It's instinctive when you have an entire secondary display just sitting there waiting for you to interact with it. I don't deny that the Galaxy Fold can functionally do everything the Surface Duo can from a multitasking perspective, but the difference is the Duo makes it seamless; it makes it natural. This is not the case on a device like the Galaxy Fold.

But even when you do multitask on the Galaxy Fold, the apps become super cramped because of the Fold's aspect ratio. The benefit of the Surface Duo is that you have two full-sized phone screens that display phone apps perfectly. The displays on the Surface Duo are only 5.6-inches, but I've never once felt like they are too small. That's all thanks to their aspect ratio.

The Galaxy Fold's biggest issue for me was that most Android apps aren't really designed for tablet-sized screens, so many apps look weird or spread out when on the Galaxy Fold. There's no such problem on the Surface Duo, because you're only ever using 5.6-inch displays at any one time.

Some say the displays on the Surface Duo are too wide, and I can see where that idea might come from. Yes, it's too wide to comfortably hold and navigate with one hand, but the real-estate that the keyboard has when in single-screen mode really makes up for that when using both thumbs to type. I've never had a more comfortable typing experience than I have on Duo when in single-screen mode.

The hardware has been a mixed bag

Dual screens aside, other aspects of the Surface Duo have been a mixed bag. The overall design is contemporary, minimal, and super thin. It's beautiful to look at, and I admire the Surface team for being bold and omitting common smartphone features to achieve this design. That said, those omissions have gotten old really quickly, and I'm now at a point where I wish this device had things like NFC and a better camera system on the outside.

But there are issues with some of the materials that Microsoft has used on the Surface Duo. It became apparent pretty early on that the polycarbonate edges around the Duo aren't all that durable, and the color yellows quite significantly over time. After one year of use, my Surface Duo looks dirty, even though it isn't.

The edges also dent super easily. I have several minor scuff marks all around the device, and I've never dropped mine. The thinness of the device also means the plastic around the USB-C port cracks easily. Mine is cracked, and I've been very gentle with my USB-C port.

Another issue that I've noticed, though I've not seem many people talk about, is that the oleophobic coating on the inside and outside of the device wears off quickly. I've never had a phone that attracts fingerprints more than the Surface Duo does. White glass on the outside usually hides fingerprints pretty well, but this device picks up so many you can usually see them. This is amplified with the inside glass since those are black.

Touch response has been mixed too. Sometimes it's fine, but other times I notice the device trying to keep up with my tapping on the keyboard or swiping through apps. Everything else on the Duo has been a joy the use. The hinges are still perfect, and don't feel any less tight than they did on launch day. The displays are crisp and clear, though I do wish they had a higher refresh rate.

Microsoft is the problem with Surface Duo

While I do think Microsoft is right about dual screens, that doesn't mean the Surface Duo is perfect, because it isn't. The device launched in a notoriously buggy state. While Microsoft has fixed many of those initial software quirks, it did so at a pace which I find unacceptable, and it still hasn't fixed all of them.

I paid $1,399 for my Surface Duo at launch, and 365 days later, it is still frustrating to use at times, all because of the software bugs that Microsoft still hasn't fixed. Everything from the device just locking up and not responding, to the Microsoft Launcher or App Switcher glitching out and refusing to go away when opening apps.

This device should have received multiple bug fix updates a month, but Microsoft has only shipped one update every month, and it's even had the cheek to stop shipping bug fixes for the last four months as it waits to ship Android 11. It's just unacceptable, and it's not helped by the fact that Microsoft refuses to talk to its customers about this.

There's still no way to submit bug reports on to Microsoft on Surface Duo, and there's so place to check on the progress of bug fixes or to find workarounds for issues I continue to encounter every single day. We still don't even know when Android 11 will launch for it. I've written about this a handful of times throughout the year, and absolutely nothing has changed.

And that's not even mentioning the fact that we've had very little new features or apps show up for Duo, and in the case of the Microsoft News app, actually remove functionality specific to the Surface Duo form factor.

It comes across as if Microsoft has abandoned this device, and that's not helped by the fact that it can now be had for over 50% off. It just looks liked a failed experiment that Microsoft doesn't want to talk about anymore. It is so Microsoft to ship a device and then refuse to communicate with customers about its roadmap for a year. I would've thought Microsoft would want to avoid this kind of behavior considering its shoddy track record with phones.

Luckily, we know from sources that Microsoft is committed to the Surface Duo. But, I shouldn't have to result to "sources" to find out that information. Microsoft should be open about when Android 11 is coming and what features it will bring. It should be open about upcoming fixes, and let us know ETAs or give explanations for why certain issues aren't fixed yet.

If Surface Duo 2 launches in the same state as Surface Duo 1 did, I don't think I could handle another year of buggy software and no communication. It's been tough, and it's been frustrating. Many average users would've put this device down months ago, but I soldiered on.

At the very least, Microsoft should be more open with its customers and fans who own Surface Duo devices. Let us know when the next update is coming, give us a list of known issues and possible workarounds, just be more transparent with us. Convince us that this device is more than just a pet project, and that you care about it once it's shipped.

I should clarify that Microsoft has fixed bugs on the Surface Duo since launch. It's a much more stable experience today than it was 12 months ago. However, it's still not perfect. I still frequently encounter bugs that force me to reboot at least four times a week, which just shouldn't be the case 12 months later.

Will things improve with Surface Duo 2?

Overall, this year with the Surface Duo has convinced me that Microsoft is right about dual screens, and if it can nail the software and hardware with version two, I think the company will be on to a winner. But there's no denying it: progress on the Surface Duo has been slow. Too slow, in fact. For a device that's been on the market for a year, it is still unacceptably buggy.

If Microsoft can fix most of the software issues with Android 11, all will be forgiven. But the lack of communication with its customers is still an issue that it needs to solve before I can recommend any Duo device to a "normal" person.

Unfortunately, I think the high-price tag is going to continue being an issue for many people as well. If I were Microsoft, in 2022 I would try and figure out ways of bringing down that price tag. Make a mid-range model and try to get it out to a more mass-market audience. People need to use Surface Duo to realize its potential. Just being told about it isn't enough.

For now, however, I will be buying the Surface Duo 2 when it launches next month. If I was able to survive an entire year with the first Surface Duo, I think using the Surface Duo 2 is going to be a cake walk. Surface Duo achieved its goal of convincing me that the dual-screen form factor is a viable option, and that's a win for Microsoft.

Now it just needs to work on making the OS as stable as possible, adding new features that differentiates the Duo from other devices further, and improve its communication skills.

Honestly, the Surface Duo isn't much of a contender for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. The Duo is an older phone at the time of this comparison, making it a bit unfair in many respects. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 has the Duo beat, obviously, in almost every spec category, with better chips, displays, cameras, alongside a more polished operating system. The Fold 3 also has mountains of sought-after features missing on the Duo, like wireless charging and 5G.

However, we're going to focus on the implementation of the folding display. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 also costs a truly enormous $1800, while the Surface Duo has come down heavily in price, resting at around $700 as of writing, which is far more respectable for its spec sheet.

Surface Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 3: Spec showdown

Here are the specs for reference, but to be fair to the Surface Duo, it's a far older handset than the Galaxy Z Fold 3. We'll have a much better, more up-to-date picture of how these approaches to foldables stack up with the Surface Duo 2 is revealed.

With all the details in order, let's see how these folds match up.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Surface Duo: What the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 does better

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, as its name suggests, is the third entry in Samsung's foray into folding phone tech. Where it differs massively from the Surface Duo is how it has implemented its fold, using "Ultra Thin" flexible glass. The Duo, for comparison, has two separate displays connected with an innovative hinge mechanism, which comes with advantages and some downsides.

First, I'll address the elephant in the room. Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has better specs across the board. It's faster, the cameras are better, and the screens are brighter. It has 5G, while the Duo does not. It has wireless charging, too. It supports 120hz (although your battery life won't thank you for turning it on), and it has an impressive under-screen selfie camera, which disappears when it's in your peripheral vision. The Duo only has a single camera, which can be reversed backward and used either as a normal camera, or a selfie camera, depending on how you orient the displays. The trade-off is massive bezels which give it a very dated-looking body to screen ratio that I just can't get over. You do have to pay a premium for what Samsung is offering here, though, given that it's roughly $1800~ depending on where you buy it from.

Indeed, this comparison is less about specs, given that the Surface Duo 2 is just around the corner, and the Duo is quite old at this point. This is more about how the folding form factor is implemented. Honestly, both styles have pros and cons, but here's what the Galaxy Z Fold 3 does better.

Obviously, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 provides you with a true tablet experience. While there is a crease (which I found myself getting used to incredibly quickly), you get a large continuous display. It's a true tablet-like experience that you can fit firmly in your pocket. I've always been a fan of the smaller tablets since they balance media consumption with portability. I hate playing games on a small phone screen. Plus, you lose so much detail watching shows and movies on a phone unless you're holding it right up to your face. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 gives you the best of both worlds, and it works wonderfully.

I will admit that I wasn't sure if I liked it at first. Moving from a standard Samsung One UI device to the Galaxy Fold 3 took some getting used to. It was the first time I actually bothered to use the Tips app on a device like this to get a better handle on how multi-tasking actually works. To get the most out of the Fold 3, you need to use the edge display taskbar. From here, you can drag and drop apps, snapping them into place much like you can with apps on Windows by dragging an application to the edge of your display. It works intuitively, and a quick tap on the space between apps lets you switch them around, rotate them horizontally or vertically, and even set them to float in a window-like way.

For games and movies, having the full span of the screen in landscape is an obvious boon. Unlike the Surface Duo, you don't get a massive split down the middle of your video or game, obscuring details and even UI elements. The practicality comes with downsides, though, giving the Surface Duo a few advantages.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Surface Duo: What the Surface Duo does better

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a tablet on the inside, and a phone on the outside, giving you the best of both worlds in a costly package. The Surface Duo thinks of foldable tech a little bit differently, though.

Unlike the Fold 3, the Surface Duo falls back on more conventional display technology, dropping flexible glass in favor of a standard display setup consisting of dual screens. The Surface Duo has an incredible hinge mechanism to allow the screens to communicate, which is an oft-overlooked and underrated feat of engineering. This configuration lets the Duo rotate 360 degrees creating various positional modalities, which are a bit clunky on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 by comparison. There's a subtle, underrated elegance about the Surface Duo, which feels far more at ease being folded into different shapes than its more expensive counterpart.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is "aware" of different folding states, but apps generally expect to either be running in a tablet size mode or a phone size mode. Most apps don't know what to do if the screen is folded upwards at a 90-degree angle. Furthermore, the Fold 3's aspect ratio doesn't exactly lend itself well to folded scenarios. Folded down the middle, you're creating a very narrow 25:9 aspect ratio, which crushes 16:9 apps into near-uselessness. Generally, you'll want the Galaxy Z Fold 3 folded out completely flat for its more tablet-like experience, but the Duo has some interesting, unique use cases as a dual-screen phone.

For example, the Surface Duo's Xbox Cloud Gaming implementation is truly great, displaying the touch controls on the lower portion of the screen. This removes touch elements from the display, giving you a better, fuller view of the game you're playing. Apps like Outlook span intelligently across displays and don't need to be dragged and dropped like on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to take advantage of their multi-tasking capabilities. For productivity, the Duo feels invariably more intuitive as a result. I don't need to configure my screen for specific scenarios or adjust my keyboard for folded modalities. The Duo more often just knows what I'm trying to do, based on how I've oriented the screens, which is a productivity win.

While the Galaxy Z Fold 3 does offer a much larger screen for gaming, of course, your touch controls overlay all over the screen, which can be problematic in some games. There are a few games designed to work natively on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, however, like Genshin Impact, that take advantage of the full-screen space offered — and they look amazing.

For me personally, though, the vast majority of my mobile gaming is going to be on games that force a 16:9 aspect ratio, complete with forced on-screen controls. The Surface Duo has potential as a dual-screen device, letting you split controls across screens or other UI elements, but the vast majority of games and apps probably won't take advantage of the setup. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 just behaves like an Android tablet and will most likely enjoy better support in that area as a result.

Despite all of this, there remains a big elephant in the room. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't overly concerned about the Galaxy Z Fold 3's "Ultra Thin" display glass. The tech used in the screen is identical to last year's Fold 2, despite improvements to the body itself. Yes, it should be safer from drop collisions, but colleagues like Mr. Mobile over on YouTube have reported that the Fold 2's crease eventually starts to split for no real reason, based on regular usage alone. That's not the kind of risk you want in an $1800 phone.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Surface Duo: Which should you buy, if any?

The Surface Duo is a truly remarkable piece of tech, with award-worthy engineering wrapped in an uncompromising and sleek body. Impossibly thin, light, and versatile, the Surface Duo was betrayed only by its middling specs, inflated launch price, and poor OS, which sadly still suffers many of the annoyances and quirks today as it did when it launched. All too often have I had the UI get stuck as I shifted between modalities. Although the experience has gotten better over time, it simply can't compete with Samsung's mature One UI, with its rich array of features and customization capabilities. The big thing that killed the Surface Duo, for me, was the very weak Bluetooth antenna, which effectively stopped me from being able to use it for music.

The Surface Duo's dual-screen implementation does have some advantages, potentially, if they can get it right. It's more intuitive for side-by-side productivity scenarios, with a larger landscape folding capability for pseudo-laptop word processing and handheld gaming. The folded screens on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 are incredibly narrow by comparison, meaning that you'll generally want to use it in its flat tablet state the vast majority of the time.

Indeed, while the Duo offers some potential with its modal plurality, it will rely on app developers to really realize its full potential. Samsung's solution effectively makes it a regular single-screen tablet, which offers big benefits for media consumption that the Duo simply can't compete with unless it can shrink those bezels down in the future.

Source: Windows Central

Ultimately, it boils down to price, like anything else. You get a whole heap of phone for $1800 with the Galaxy Z Fold 3, with standard modern features and updated performance. The Surface Duo, while more elegant in some ways, still feels like a prototype. It relies on stock Google Android features for telephony and lacks many basic features you'd expect of a modern smartphone.

To buy the Galaxy Z Fold 3, you ultimately have to expect this to be your daily driver, and for a long time, most likely. It's for heavy phone users, heavy media consumers, and people who ultimately enjoy living on the cutting edge of tech. I traded in my Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for the Fold 3, and thus far, I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever, despite the huge hole I just blew in my savings account. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the ultimate Jez phone, although I can totally envision a future where the Duo 2 or Duo 3 could supplant Samsung for me someday.

I think the Surface Duo could offer some value at its $700 price point as a Surface enthusiast's device for those who don't see themselves spending more for a phone. The Surface Duo is about to be replaced by the Duo 2, but Microsoft is still supposedly planning to support the first Duo with updates for the foreseeable. I don't think it's good enough, or capable enough, to be a full daily driver for most, however, with a camera that lacks versatility, Bluetooth that doesn't work, and microphones that sound like they came from the 90s.

Either way, I hope that future Surface Duo iterations can bring the heat to Samsung in the future because there is just something magical about the Surface team's engineering. But today, the clear winner — despite the price tag — is the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

I am admittedly a phoneaholic. During the Windows Phone days, every upgrade felt significant and palpable. Moving from the HTC 8X to the Lumia 920 to the Lumia 1020 to the Lumia 1520 to the Lumia 950 XL, it was a fun ride. I never really cared much about phones or tech in general until I got on board with Microsoft's Windows 8 vision — a platform where all of your content would move seamlessly between devices, with a single unified design language. Alas, as we all know, 'twas not meant to be.

Like many Windows Phone refugees, I sought the embrace of Android, owing to its increased customizability and its (at least theoretically) more open platform. The ability to customize the hell out of my Samsung devices has kept me locked to their platform ever since, and the deal has only gotten sweeter in recent times, owing to beefy support from Microsoft. The "Your Phone" Windows 10 connection performs incredibly well on the Samsung Galaxy line, thanks to full OS integration. It's easier to swap all the defaults on Android to Microsoft services too, ditching Samsung's launcher for the cleaner Microsoft Launcher, alongside Microsoft Swiftkey, OneDrive for cloud storage, Outlook for email, and so on. Samsung even dabbles with inking support, something I've always enjoyed on Surface.

I've been using Samsung's Galaxy Note line for the past few years, as I found it most closely mimicked my all-time favorite phone, the Lumia 1520. Huge screens, beefy battery life, and powerful cameras, complete with heavy integration with Microsoft's services. I have, however, recently discovered a new love, that will change my phone habits maybe forever.

I dabbled with the Surface Duo this past summer, and I enjoyed my time with it. But it wasn't until I picked up the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 that I truly fell in love with foldables.

Why I love the fold

I am in some ways still pining for that "One Windows" vision that Microsoft has sought after to mixed success over the years. It's somewhat ironic then that since dropping Windows Phone, we're arguably closer to that vision than ever before. We can play Xbox games on Android using Xbox Game Pass' cloud gaming platform. We have phone calls, SMS, and app streaming on PC thanks to Your Phone. We have the near full-blown Office on mobile devices, too.

Where some of this vision falls apart historically is in the form factor. Microsoft tried to solve this with Continuum, which let you connect a Windows 10 Mobile device to an HDMI monitor, producing a Windows desktop-like environment. Using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet or typing up a Word document on a phone is an absolute pain, but if you have the screen real estate for it and the right accessories, it was at least passable. The problem has always been that there simply wasn't a device — until now — that could truly provide this two-in-one experience. I'm not the kind of guy who would carry an external HDMI display around with him simply for Continuum or Samsung DeX's similar desktop-like experience. But thanks to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, I don't need to.

When folded outwards, the Galaxy Fold 3 is an enormous 7.6 inches across. Held in landscape, it truly is like a small laptop display. Disregarding its impressive brightness, colors, and 120Hz refresh rate, it's the size that I love above everything else. Playing games designed for TVs on Xbox Game Pass often sucked on my comparatively small Note 20 Ultra. The UI would be squished, alongside font sizes, making some games simply unplayable. The tablet-like size on the Galaxy Fold 3 eliminates this issue completely, giving you something closer to a Nintendo Switch-style experience, albeit with a far, far superior display.

As a chronic multitasker, I have been floored by the usability of Samsung's One UI on the Galaxy Fold 3 as well. It's a simple case of dragging and dropping apps where you want them, snapping into place with Windows 8-like intuitiveness. You can run up to three apps side by side on this thing, without any discernible degradation in performance. Although you may find that watching a YouTube video while streaming Xbox Game Pass alongside a web browser may chew through the battery if used with impunity, if I'm traveling for any particularly large length of time I'll most likely grab a power bank anyway. That's not to say the battery life is poor, though — it's anything but.

Samsung used new techniques to increase the brightness without impacting power consumption on its Fold 3 devices, and the difference is very noticeable compared to my Note 20 Ultra. I generally use this phone near to the lowest brightness setting while indoors, giving me anywhere up to 10 hours of non-stop screen time, albeit with 120Hz disabled. I found that an average day of use would net me anywhere up to 18+ hours on a single charge, which approaches Lumia 1520 power satisfaction.

Is the Galaxy Fold 3 for everybody, though? Probably not.

The concerns and shortcomings

The Galaxy Fold 3 is not cheap by any stretch. If you'd have told my younger self someday we'd be paying over a thousand dollars for a phone I'd have laughed, let alone $1,500 dollars. Luckily, Samsung offers a pretty generous trade-in program, allowing me to shave a sizeable chunk off the asking price. Even with that discount, though, my wallet wept a bit.

I am the type of person who is glued to their phone almost all the time. I use my phone when I wake up, when I'm relaxing in the evening, and before I go to bed. I use it while traveling. I use it even when I'm at my laptop as a second screen, using apps like spacedesk combined with a desk mount to get some more screen space. Slapping Reddit next to Twitter, or Xbox Game Pass next to a messaging app has been incredibly fun to do, and has ultimately changed the way I consume content. That being said, it's quite apparent that this screen-addicted lifestyle isn't for everyone.

You really, really have to love your mobile life to justify the price tag attached to this thing. You're effectively buying a phone and a tablet in a single package, given the external and internal displays. I suspect for most people, needing a device that can do both at once isn't really necessary. Even beyond that, I have reservations about the longevity of this product.

The Fold 1 and even the Fold 2 were notorious for split screens and cracks, even through regular use. The first Fold was particularly hard hit, with screens cracking even before the review embargos had lifted. The Fold 2 and Fold 3 use the same Samsung flexible glass composite, even though Samsung claims the phone is sturdier overall, with new materials across the back and frame.

Considering the most ideal type of user for this type of phone is a power user, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned that my screen will eventually flex itself broken. I found myself wondering things like, "Should I take this to the beach?" on the off chance a grain of sand while on vacation might get into the screen protector and ruin the delicate display. I'm generally quite careful with my phones regardless, and have never actually cracked a screen in my life — but that's not to say I never dropped my Lumia devices and Galaxy Notes. Quite the opposite. Despite having a case on the Fold 3, I feel as though I'll handle this one with even more care than my previous devices.

Indeed, in some ways, the form factor on its closest direct competitor, the Surface Duo, makes more sense.

What about the Surface Duo?

I do have a Surface Duo in my possession and couldn't bring myself to make it my daily driver. I very almost did, but the Bluetooth reliability on the Duo ultimately prevented me from doing so. Indeed, as a "power user" of Android, every shortcoming on the Duo, from software glitches to poor antennae betrayed its "power user" form factor and price. I went to the Surface Duo for the innovation, but it's Samsung Galaxy that has executed and produced a product I can actually use.

Still, the question of that flexible glass display really does raise concerns. The Surface Duo has a more conventional glass display and is essentially two separate screens connected together, with an incredibly complex hinge mechanism. The hinge eliminates the need for a reverse display as seen on the Galaxy Fold, since you can rotate the Duo 360 degrees. There's a sublime elegance that the Duo enjoys that the Fold simply does not. But I need my phone to be more than just pretty. The Duo cameras, microphones, software, and other features simply aren't up to par, but that may change with the Surface Duo 2.

One thing is certain: The only types of phones I'm interested in now are foldables. Right now, it's the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 that holds the crown in this arena, but I can easily foresee a future where Surface ends up coming out on top if they can solve those screen-wasting bezels and pervasive software glitches that detract from the design intent.

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a power-user's dream, for both work and play. And crucially for Microsoft, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the device the Surface Duo team should ultimately aspire to beat.

What you need to know

• The Surface Duo August 2021 Android security and firmware update has arrived.
• It's 40.22MB and brings the build number up to 2021.721.41.
• The changelog for the update is now live and posted below.

It's that special time of the month again when Surface Duos get their regularly scheduled updates. This time around, it's another standard security-and-firmware-fueled month without any major bells or whistles, as indicated by the 40.22MB size. The changelog is live on Microsoft's site, meaning we know exactly what's in the forty-megabyte package, which brings the Surface Duo up to build number 2021.721.41 (for North America).

Update: The changelog is now available. This update is merely installing the Google security patch for August 5th.

• 2021.721.41 (North America)
• 2021.721.43 (Europe)
• 2021.721.42 (AT&T Locked Device)
• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - August 2021.

As is usual with these updates, security is addressed, helping keep the device free of critical vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the device's update says it "improves the performance and stability" of the Duo, though that's just a way to reiterate the security item in this month's particular instance.

One thing that's not in the update is Android 11, to the disappointment of some users over on Reddit.

Don't forget the Surface Duo 2 is on the horizon. As you might expect, Windows Central readers are pretty darn excited for it, having voted it as their most anticipated upcoming Surface device.

What you need to know

• Images of the Surface Duo 2 leaked.
• We ran a poll asking if readers like the leaked Duo 2's camera setup.
• Most readers aren't fans of it yet.

As of this moment in time, during the writing of the post you're currently reading, the "Do you like the leaked Surface Duo 2 camera setup?" poll sits at 1,034 votes. Most readers (37.43%, 387 votes) do not like the Duo 2's camera situation, 33.66% (348 votes) are skeptical about it, and only 28.91% (299 votes) like it. In short, both of the non-positive answers have accrued more votes than the optimistic one.

In case you need a refresher on the situation, Surface Duo 2 images leaked, and they show that the sequel Duo has a different approach to camera operations than its predecessor. However, that new approach comes bundled with concerns about everything from the aesthetics of a camera bump to the actual structural threats of bending or breaking when folding the device or stopping the machine from laying flat.

Given the potential complications that may come with owning a Duo 2 as a result of its little camera bump, it's no wonder people are ever-so-slightly hesitant about hopping aboard the hype train. Not to mention that key info about the device remains unknown, such as its starting price, which may also be a source of contention.

It's worth noting that if you never hopped on the initial Surface Duo and are cautiously eyeballing the Duo 2, you may want to consider grabbing the original first to see if you like the core two-screen experience. The first Duo has been seeing wave after wave of all-time low sale prices in recent months, meaning you can likely snag it for under $400 if interested.

The experimental dual-screen Microsoft Surface Duo has seen its largest discount to date in the UK market, with over 50% savings now live via the Microsoft Store. The latest discount presents a tempting offer on the first-generation folding device, marketed around portable productivity.

Current Microsoft Store pricing offers the Surface Duo at £679 for its 128GB model, with an upgrade to 256GB costing £730. That's down from the premium £1,400 starting price the product first launched with earlier in 2021, following its U.S. debut last September. While you can read our Microsoft Surface Duo review for our thoughts on the device, Microsoft Store UK also has a generous 60-day return policy on Surface products, should you change your mind.

The Microsoft Surface Duo comes with a distinct premise, with twin ultra-thin AMOLED displays, bound by a robust 360-degree hinge. It's the first Surface product running Android, serving as a full-fledged smartphone, and productivity-geared companion. The two screens make it ideal for multitasking, with full inking support when used with any Surface-compatible pens.

The Surface Duo ships with a Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB RAM, and a 3577mAh battery, all capable although falling short of the latest flagship devices. While Microsoft has also made steady software improvements with regular updates, we're currently waiting on the long-promised upgrade to Android 11.

Microsoft's latest discounts to Surface Duo reflect the imminent announcement of its successor, with the first Surface Duo 2 images recently leaking online. The upcoming device is expected to improve the camera, one pitfall the first device, while bumping the specifications to modern standards.

Just when you thought Surface Duo deals couldn't get any steeper, they fell off a cliff and crash-landed into sub-$400 territory. That's right: The Duo is down to $389 right now!

The big caveat is that it's locked to AT&T. As long as you can stomach that, you're primed to snag the 128GB model for less than it's ever cost, meaning you can get in on the Duo at the lowest possible entry price until next week rolls around and it goes on sale for even cheaper (probably).

Before you buy, consider that this could be a good trial run for you if you're interested in the upcoming Surface Duo 2 but aren't sure you want to shell out full price for Microsoft's unusual device's newer iteration. A classic Duo at $389 could be a way to dip your toes in the water without having to bear the full financial load of what will soon be Microsoft's latest and greatest.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is rolling out the July OS update for Surface Duo.
• The update brings the OS security patch to July 5.
• The changelong notes that this is only a security update with no new fixes.

Updated 4PM ET: Added changelog.

Another month and another delivered update for the Microsoft Surface Duo is available for unlocked and AT&T devices. The update brings the July 5 Android Security update and presumably other fixes and optimizations to the dual-screen phone.

Microsoft has updated the changelog, and it notes that the only change is a security update with no other fixes or optimizations:

• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - July 2021.

The update bumps the Surface Duo OS version number from 2021.525.6x to 2021.622.xx and seems to be small and minor due to the 20 MB file size.

For those looking for Android 11, unfortunately, we heard that update wouldn't be until a bit later, possibly around the October timeframe.

To grab the update yourself, use these steps:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo's home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

The update is rolling out now for all models of the Surface Duo. What are your thoughts on Surface Duo's monthly OS updates? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, @VincibleAndy!

What you need to know

• Images of a near-final Surface Duo 2 prototype have leaked.
• They reveal a new external triple-camera setup.
• They also show white and black variants of the device.

Microsoft is gearing up to ship a second-generation Surface Duo 2 this fall, and today images of what appears to be a near-final prototype have leaked online revealing a new external camera setup with three lenses, housed in a camera bump just like other flagship smartphones on the market.

It's unclear where these images originated, but Windows Central can confirm that the photos in question are legitimate. Surface Duo 2 features three external cameras consisting of an ultrawide angle, telephoto, and standard lens. The photos also reveal that the device may ship with frosted glass on the outside, and come in both white and black colors. They also show that the fingerprint reader has been removed and likely embedded into the power button, and the USB-C port is now centered on the bottom right hand side of the device.

Windows Central understands that Microsoft is planning to ship Surface Duo 2 in the September or October timeframe, and will feature flagship specs for 2021, including a Snapdragon 888 processor, 5G, and NFC for wireless payments. The device appears to be a major step-up in hardware over the Surface Duo 1, which shipped with outdated specs and without key hardware features.

We'll be interested to see if Surface Duo 2 ships at the same price point as Surface Duo 1, or if it'll be more expensive given how many more hardware features it has. What are your thoughts on Surface Duo 2's external design? Will you consider buying a Surface Duo 2 if the hardware is better than Surface Duo 1? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for the tip, @Beichen_CAO

What you need to know

• The alpha4 version of Microsoft's pen SDK preview is releasing this week.
• It brings a new pen-hover indicator, smoother lines, and other changes.

Microsoft has released a small announcement directed at Android developers, revealing that the pen SDK preview's alpha4 version arrives this week. The changes help enhance the SDK's ability to help developers utilize drawing in their apps via touch or pen.

Because the Microsoft Surface Duo is able to detect incoming pen tips, InkView now has the capability to display a visual indicator that reflects the ink color and pen size of the pen near the screen. You can flip your pen around to use the eraser, and there will be an eraser indicator present.

Line smoothness has also been upgraded in this release. Now lines are smoother than they previously were (this change can be evidenced in the above picture).

Based on feedback about supporting older Android versions and developers wanting smaller package sizes, the new pen SDK preview version contains the following two updates: API level 23 and up are now supported, and AAR size has been reduced.

For the full roundup of what the alpha4 version entails, as well as where you can grab it, check out Microsoft's official blog post on the matter. And if you want to learn more about the Surface Duo, check out our review to see if its dual-screen, pen-friendly capabilities are enough to get you interested in the device.

What you need to know

• Skype Insider Preview was just updated to support split windows on Android.
• The update also adds support for animated backgrounds on calls.
• Skype on iOS also gained support for sharing files from chats in its latest preview build.

Microsoft just rolled out an update for Skype Insiders that brings several new features. It adds support for split windows on Android and lets iOS users share files from chats. The update brings Skype Insider Preview to build 8.74.76.129. Split window support should enhance the experience on devices like the Surface Duo.

Skype Insiders can also use animated videos as backgrounds now. The feature supports GIFs, allowing people to add more personal flair to video calls.

Here's the full changelog from Microsoft:

• Animated background for video calls! Just select GIF from local files and enjoy your new background.
• Customized Call Reactions – choose your personal set of reactions.
• Split Window on Android – because we want to improve your user experience for desktop-like environments. Supporting Surface Duo, Samsung DeX and most of the Chromebooks.
• Files sharing from chat in Skype for iOS.

An experienced powered by Microsoft Teams may be the new default chat app for Windows 11, but Skype is still used by millions of people. The features currently in testing among Insiders should help deliver a better experience across devices.

Skype Insider builds roll out gradually, so you might not see this update for a few days. You can sign up to be a Skype Insider for Windows, iOS, Android, Mac, Linux, and the web.

Microsoft's Surface Duo is down to just $410 right now, which is its lowest price ever. Even if you bump up to the 256GB model, it's still only $510. When the Surface Duo launched, one of people's biggest concerns was its price. It started at $1,400 but has steadily dropped in price over time. The downside of the current deal is that it's locked to AT&T, but if you're already on that carrier or are willing to switch, it's an excellent bargain.

Woot's sale on the Surface Duo is only available today and could end soon if supplies sell out. If you want to grab the Surface Duo, now is probably the best time to pick one up.

The Surface Duo has two 5.6-inch AMOLED displays that can work side-by-side. You can run different apps on each screen or span an app across both displays. You can also flip the second screen around to use it with just a single display. Despite having two screens, it's almost impossibly thin.

While the Surface Duo is unique, it's received mixed reviews. Our Zachary Boddy recently wrote a piece on why you still shouldn't buy a Surface Duo. At the time of his article's publication, the Surface Duo was down to around $750. Maybe an additional $340 off will change people's minds.

The Surface Duo is a unique device that some early adopters still want to get their hands on. It has its flaws, but people who want one know who they are. At $410, ordering the Surface Duo is easier than its ever been.

B&H has a daily deal on the Microsoft Surface Duo where it's down to just $729.99. This is a uniquely low price, one of the best we've ever seen. Amazon is even having a sale on the Duo right now but can only drop as low as $745, which is $5 less than Microsoft but still not nearly as good as B&H's deal. It's a crazy low price considering this version of the Duo used to go for as much as $1,500 and still regularly sells for around $1,100. It's even better than the last deal we shared because this one is carrier unlocked, which means you can decide your SIM card and service plan on your own.

Check out our initial review of the Duo that gave it 3 stars. Back then the operating system was a little rough and the price was a little too steep, but it showed great promise. It has continued to live up to that promise with regular updates that include things like integrating with Xbox Game Pass. Your video games take full advantage of the two screens with touch controls on one side and the game you're playing on the other. The most recent updates have provided a lot of stability improvements as well as bug fixes, making the whole system a lot more optimized. Microsoft even plans to upgrade the Duo to Android 11 later this year.

The two PixelSense Fusion displays have a pixel resolution of 2700 x 1800 total with 8.1-inch AMOLED panels. They're also made with Corning Gorilla Glass, which is designed to keep them safe from scratches and cracks.

The tablet is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform processor, 6GB RAM, and has 256GB of storage. It even includes a fingerprint reader, LTE and Wi-Fi, 4k video recording at up to 60 fps, Fast Charging via USB-C, and a long-lasting battery life. The new tablet is covered by a one-year warranty from Microsoft.

The Surface Duo represents a ton of firsts for Microsoft. It's both the first dual-screen device and first Android phone to be released by Microsoft, and concludes a long hiatus following the cancelation of the unfortunately maligned Windows phones. At launch, the Surface Duo was an intriguing concept held back by unfinished software, strange hardware omissions, and a staggeringly high price tag. After nine months on the market, has buying the Surface Duo as a first-time customer become more palatable?

I've spent just over a month with a newly purchased Surface Duo, and have used Microsoft's experimental dual-screen device as my primary phone for just over a week. As a longtime phone and Surface enthusiast (read: nerd), I wanted to see whether the Surface Duo could feasibly become my only phone, as seen through the eyes of someone who hasn't owned the Duo since it launched nine months ago.

Where does the Surface Duo stand after nine months on the market, and should new customers still consider it?

The Surface Duo nine months after launch

Before I dive head-first into my personal experience with the Surface Duo, a quick recap on its life so far. If you're not intimately familiar with the experience Surface Duo promises, this is a not-so-traditional Android cellular device that combines two 5.6-inch AMOLED displays with a cleverly engineered 360-degree hinge and an impossibly thin design. Overall, Microsoft positions the Surface Duo and its unique blend of features and hardware as the "ultimate productivity device," rather than your average mobile smartphone.

The Surface Duo initially became available on Sept. 10, 2020, and has since expanded to new markets and been subjected to multiple price drops and discounts. It has, for the most part, held up Microsoft's promise of monthly software updates, culminating most recently with the May 2021 Surface Duo update. The Duo has also benefited from slowly increasing accessory support, like with our list of best Surface Duo accessories.

Nine months after its launch, the Surface Duo is undeniably in a far better position than it was at first, with improved availability, a superior price point, and (apparently) noticeably better software and stability. Still, many of the characteristics of the Duo that held it back nine months ago hold true today — and they're not so easy to fix.

Dual screens, the hinge, and good things

I can't profess to have had a perfect first experience with the Surface Duo since my first device was defective and unusable out of the box. Despite a bent hinge and damaged battery, however, I was still immediately struck by the alluring elegance of the Duo's overall hardware package, with the physics-distorting thin frames, satisfying hinge action, and confusing mix between "this is big" and "this is smaller than I expected." Fortunately, Microsoft was quick to help me get set up with a brand-new Duo, which has none of the critical hardware failures I saw in my first device.

Hardware

After weeks of using the Duo as much as I can, some things haven't changed. The Duo is still comfortable and immensely satisfying to open and close, from the incredible hinge to the gentle "clack" when you snap it shut. Despite its unorthodox shape and size, and its slightly hefty weight, the Duo is also surprisingly easy to handle and even hold in one hand (although you'll practically need to use your other hand actually to use it).

While perhaps not as fancy as the top panels from Samsung and flagship devices from other companies, the screens are more than good enough for how I was using the Duo. I found that colors are plenty vivid and contrast is great, and I never thought the Duo's screens weren't "sharp" enough with their suitably high resolution. I do lament the lack of a high refresh rate or eye-scorching max brightness coming from my Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but the Duo kept up enough that I didn't mind.

Another pleasant surprise was how the Duo's "outdated" spec sheet (don't worry, I'm not here to throw a bunch of numbers at you), featuring an aging two-year-old processor and a middling amount of RAM for multitasking compared to modern smartphones, managed to more than keep up with everything I threw at the Duo, including regularly running two apps at a time and quickly switching between different apps. Even without being a modern powerhouse flagship under the hood, the Duo still holds on to its title as "multitasking king."

Battery life joined performance by soundly destroying my expectations. The Surface Duo can't be considered an endurance champion by any stretch of the imagination, but a relatively smaller battery combined with two high-resolution screens meant I fully expected the Duo to struggle to last a full day. To my genuine surprise, I never worried about running out of juice, even with hours-long solitaire sessions, social media usage, and gaming. For me, at least, the Duo is a solid one-day phone that didn't have me constantly reaching for a charger.

Software

Source: Windows Central | Zachary Boddy

Surface Duo currently runs Android 10 with a very gentle coating of Microsoft layered on top and Microsoft Launcher as the default home screen. Launch-era Duo was plagued with a myriad of flaws, issues, and software-related bugs that detracted from the experience, and stability and consistency were real issues for early adapters. Since then, Microsoft has been fairly regularly about releasing patches and firmware updates, which have seemingly improved things considerably.

As someone who didn't witness the Duo first-hand when it launched, I can't comment on exactly how far things have come. I can say the Duo has been mostly great on the software front, with good performance and only a handful of noticeable bugs (only a few more than my Note 20 Ultra, at least). The only issue I have is that occasionally you can't be fully certain that the phone will behave the way you think it will when you switch between screens, change postures, rotate, or move apps around.

Microsoft still has to iron out some issues with dual-screens and Android, which supposedly will improve with the arrival of Android 11 (hopefully arriving later this year).

The combination of Microsoft apps and Microsoft Launcher have made using the Duo a pleasure 99% of the time. As the Duo is now, it's perfectly usable as my daily driver with little-to-no qualms, even if the Duo rarely solidifies itself as a unique dual-screen device and sticks to, at least for now, barely modified Android.

Gaming

If anything truly came out of the left field, it's Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Duo. If you aren't aware of what Xbox Cloud Gaming is, it's Microsoft's game streaming platform that lets you play full-blown Xbox console games on your mobile device, tablet, or PC. Recently, Microsoft added official Xbox Cloud Gaming support for the Surface Duo, and the experience is genuinely impressive.

Players can take one of the best Xbox controllers and prop up the Surface Duo like a tent or laptop for mobile Xbox gaming, or they can transform the Surface Duo into a ridiculously close rendition of the Nintendo 3DS with customizable and individually tailored touch controls positioned on the bottom display. I won't go too far into depth on this, as I've already discussed at length why Surface Duo and Xbox Cloud Gaming come close to the Xbox handheld dream.

What I will say, however, is this is the one use case for the Surface Duo, besides simply having two apps open at a time on the dual screens, that made me recognize the absolutely massive potential this form factor possesses. Even with hardware and software that both often feel "just good enough," Xbox Cloud Gaming and Surface Duo is a combination that could happen only because Microsoft built both of these products and brought them together in a unique way.

Software, unfulfilled potential, and bad things

Many Surface Duo skeptics may expect the "bad things" section of this article to dwarf the rest of the article by a comical amount, but collecting my thoughts on the Surface Duo has made me realize that this simply isn't the case. During my time with my Duo, which I purchased myself, I've almost always enjoyed using the phone, often in ways that I don't when using traditional one-screen smartphones. The Duo has a lot of flaws and issues, but it didn't stop me from loving the experience it gives me.

That being said, after this article is published, I will most likely be returning to my Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Despite the Duo's actual strengths and the potential in its design and form factor, it's often underutilized in this first iteration.

Hardware omissions like the lack of 5G, no NFC, and (most critically for me) no Qi wireless charging are all features I enjoy and use on my Note 20 Ultra. The camera on the front of the Duo is usable (most of the time), but its quality is subpar at best and awful at its worst. Everything that makes the Duo's hardware and design exceptional also contributes to its fragility and durability concerns, like plastic frames that can lead to bending and cracked charging ports.

Software is arguably an even more important contributor to my decision to relegate the Duo to a secondary device. There's a surprising lack of Duo-only features in Microsoft's overlay, which often makes the Duo feel less like a complete package and more like a regular smartphone that happens to have a second screen. Software consistency still leaves some to be desired, with gestures, screens, and apps all interacting in different ways (and not always in the way you expect them to).

These hardware complaints are things that can be resolved only with future sequels to the Surface Duo. The software weaknesses, on the other hand, could potentially be fixed as the Duo continues to receive platform and security updates. I always believe it's best to buy a product for what it offers right now, instead of what it could be in the future, and the Duo still feels unfinished nine months after launch.

Is the Surface Duo worth it?

I've used the Surface Duo for over a month now and carefully evaluated its worth as a productivity device and mobile smartphone. So, is it worth it?

I'm going to be upfront about my thoughts on the Surface Duo. I adore this phone, and I really have been loving my time with it. It's clear that software updates have improved Microsoft's first foray into dual-screen phones, judging from initial reviews, and the hardware is still very impressive nine months on (even with a spec sheet that was arguably outdated at launch). Even better, the Surface Duo is considerably more affordable than it was at launch, with its wallet-crushing $1,400 price tag being reduced to less than half by repeated sales and discounts.

Right now, you can pick up the Surface Duo from Microsoft for less than $750, or $800 for the 256GB version. If you don't mind a different source, the Surface Duo has been seen for as low as $550. These are far more attractive prices and can be tempting even to people who weren't necessarily looking at the Duo for their next phone.

And, yet, I still can't recommend the Surface Duo wholeheartedly. Despite its improvements and more palatable price tag, it's likely not worth it for most people. Much of what was said in our initial Surface Duo review still rings true, more or less — the Duo's hardware failings aren't going to be resolved at this point, and even the software isn't guaranteed to be improved in the future.

If you're truly interested in the Surface Duo and are a tech or phone enthusiast, like I am, you may find the Duo's recent price cuts to be too attractive to pass up. If that's you, then you'll probably really enjoy what the Duo has to offer. If you're looking for your next phone and are willing to wait, however, I recommend holding off to see what the Surface Duo 2 has to offer. We're expecting massively updated hardware with Duo's successor, and Android 11 is expected to bring much-needed enhancements to the software experience. Surface Duo 2 may break ground this September or October, so we also don't have long to wait.

Microsoft's long-awaited return to smartphones, the Surface Duo, packs unending potential that just isn't met in its first generation, even after nine months of updates.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's Surface Duo is receiving its May 2021 update.
• The update is 197 MB and brings the build number to 2021.419.70.
• The Surface Duo changelog has now been posted (updated).
• AT&T released the update for carrier-locked Surface Duos on June 9th.

Updated for June 9th: The firmware for AT&T-locked Surface Duos is also now available.

Keeping to its promise of monthly updates, Microsoft is rolling out its May update for unlocked Surface Duo owners. The update brings a combo of the monthly Google security updates for Android (May 5th) and expected OS fixes and optimizations for Surface Duo by Microsoft.

This patch brings the build number from 2021.314.91 to 2021.419.70 (US) / 2021.419.72 (Europe) / 2021.419.71 (AT&T) and it brings the following fixes and improvements:

• Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - May 2020.
• Improves device stability and UI stability.
• Improves scenario when one screen would turn black while using Surface Duo in book mode.
• Fixes scenario when a "Double-tap to switch screens" message was appearing when in book mode.
• Fixes the scenario when using the TalkBack with 3-button navigation where the list of recent apps was showing on the left screen when invoked from the right screen.

The May update is 197 MB, down from April's 338 MB one. However, that April update also brought with it seemingly more bugs and issues as we later reported. Presumably, this update not only addresses those new problems but existing ones as well.

To grab the update yourself, use these steps:

1. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Select Settings on your Surface Duo's home screen.
3. Select System.
4. Select System Update.
5. Select Check for update.
6. Select Restart now.

This update also doesn't contain Android 11, although our latest information suggests it is still planned for sometime later this summer with no firm ETA. Likewise, later towards the 2021 holiday season (e.g., November), we do expect Surface Duo v2 with much-improved hardware like 5G, better cameras, and NFC.

As usual, those with AT&T-branded Surface Duos will likely have to wait a week for carrier approval.

If you've ever wanted a Surface Duo but have been put off by the price, it's time to get excited. Woot has the 128GB model for a super low $549 and the 256GB model for $619. If you want a list of reasons detailing why the device is worth picking up, check out our Surface Duo review. In short, it's fun, functional, and different.

Update: Woot is now sold out of Surface Duos.

The tiny Surface Duo is great for mobile productivity and standing out in crowds, so no matter what you want your tech to say about you (and do for you), this device has you covered. However, if you want to snag it via the bonkers deal listed up above, you'll have to act fast. Woot's bargain only lasts until supplies run out or midnight, whichever comes first. The clock's ticking!

Also, take note that the device isn't unlocked (hence the "AT&T LTE WWAN (Locked)" in its title). If that's a dealbreaker for you, keep waiting for more Surface Duo deals; they're cropping up like wildfire, and an unlocked Duo bargain is bound to appear soon enough.

What you need to know

• Microsoft patented an under-display camera design that's inspired by the company's logo.
• The setup would use four cameras that each have different color filters.
• The patent discusses the camera system on both mobile phones and PCs.

Microsoft may have a unique design on the way in the tech industry's neverending battle against notches. A recently published patent spotted by LetsGoDigital discusses an under-display camera setup. The setup shown in the patent has four cameras that each filter different colors. In addition to making the camera setup look like the Microsoft logo, the design allows devices to get four images that they can stitch together.

"Colors in an icon may provide color filters corresponding to an array of lenses that focus color-separated light on one or more camera sensors,' reads the patent's abstract. "Sensors may be optimized for particular colors. Color-separated images may be combined into a single image."

Some may jump to assume that under-display camera technology would be aimed exclusively at phones. We've already seen some companies test the water with other forms of under-display cameras. That's not the case with Microsoft's patent, however. The patent clearly discusses and illustrates how the camera system could work on mobile devices and PCs.

"Camera thickness may be reduced using multiple lenses and sensors," says Microsoft in the patent. The company adds that the setup could be used to show notification colors or act as decoration on a display.

While the under-display nature of this design is unique, Microsoft also discusses using it on the back of a phone as well. This could see the benefit of reduced thinness without having to battle taking images through a screen or placing a logo on a display.

As is the case with all patents, this design may never ship on an actual device. It is interesting, however, to see Microsoft try to innovate in the display space. The patent was filed in November 2019 but wasn't published until May 13, 2021.