The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is arguably the best folding phone on the market. How does it fare against Microsoft’s new Surface Duo 2?
Microsoft released a series of new portable powerhouse products at its Surface event, including the next generation of their mobile line, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2. This is the successor to the much-criticized Surface Duo, which received negative reviews and lackluster sales due to issues with subpar hardware and software. With the Duo 2, Microsoft has taken criticism to heart and revamped it with flagship-level hardware and promises of an improved software experience. The Duo 2 now joins other foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is widely considered to be one of the best on the market in terms of performance and features, and the compact, consumer-friendly Galaxy Z Flip 3. The specs between the Duo 2 and Fold 3 are similar in most regards, but there are some key differences, and Samsung has generally had more experience when it comes to folding-phone hardware. There’s also a price disparity, with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 costing an extra $300 over the Duo 2. Read on to see our breakdown of how they differ and which one is better. The Duo 2 and Fold 3 look nothing alike when it comes to design. The Duo 2 essentially resembles its predecessor, with no cover screen, a large and durable hinge between two separate displays, and a design language that resembles larger Surface devices like the Surface Pro 8 and Pro X. Instead of a cover screen, you get the Glance Bar, which is a gap between the hinge that lets you see the screen and offers color-coded notifications. The Fold 3, on the other hand, is like two Galaxy S21 phones melted together into a single screen, and it comes with a 6.2-inch cover display that supports 120Hz. The cover display offers extra usability you just don’t get with the Duo 2, which requires you to open it up each time to interact with it. Separated by only a half-inch of screen space, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 offers an 8.3-inch Dual AMOLED screen compared to the 7.6 inches Samsung provides when unfolded, but it’s important to note that the Fold 3 has a seamless folding screen (aside from the crease), while the Duo 2 still has the screen split by a bezel down the middle and a large one along the sides. The Duo also comes with 401 pixels per inch (ppi) thanks to its 2688 x 1892 AMOLED high-definition resolution. However, regardless of when folded or when using the cover screen, the Fold 3 provides a bright, sharp AMOLED screen for social media, games, and video. This screen translates to a 2208 x 1768 resolution, or 374 ppi — putting it on par with the Duo 2 in terms of resolution despite some differences in pixel density. More importantly, the hinges are what separate these smooth, sleek foldables. The Samsung Fold 3 offers a singular hinge for opening to a 7.6-inch panel. It’s like night and day compared to the Duo 2, which uses what it calls Revolutionary Hinge Technology for a full 360-degree fold. Keep in mind, this ultimate foldability comes at a refresh rate cost — you can expect an adaptive 90Hz refresh rate on the Duo compared to Samsung’s adaptive 120Hz rate. While you really can’t see a difference between 60Hz and 90Hz refresh rates, you may be able to spot the difference once you get up in those higher digits, which could impact mobile gaming experiences.
