A different way to fold: Can Microsoft’s second take on its dual-screen smartphone bring some needed shine to the Surface Duo?
Alongside several PC announcements from Microsoft’s Surface event, the tech giant revealed a second iteration of its dual-screen Duo smartphone, the Surface Duo 2. In PCMag’s review of the original Surface Duo, we lauded the hardware itself, as well as the ambition of the concept, but noted a litany of prominent software bugs and an awkward layout. In its second crack at the design, Microsoft is hoping the introduction of Android 11, as well as a year of R&D, will improve the experience. The Surface Duo 2: two colors, three lenses We briefly checked out the Surface Duo 2 in a preview event in New York following the company’s Sept.22 livestream, alongside the new Surface PCs, including the Surface Laptop Studio. I chiefly review laptops for PCMag, but as our representative at the event, below are my off-the-cuff impressions (including a brief video). Our mobile analysts will chime in with much, much more to say in their full review when they receive a formal review sample. Impressive Hardware, But It’s All Down to the OS The main takeaway (as someone who didn’t get to spend much time with the original Surface Duo) is that the quality of the hardware and the new features Microsoft demonstrated made me hopeful that, this time, the device will be successfully executed overall. The build quality of the Duo 2 is great, and it’s extremely attractive with its various shiny color options. But a good smartphone leans heavily on its software, and discerning if it’s a smooth user experience takes more time than the very brief in-person slot we were allotted with it on Sept.22. Some context there if you need it: For most phones, leaning on iOS or Android takes care of the user-experience problem, as Apple and Google have gotten quite good at making operating systems. Their years upon years of cumulative refinements are massive factors, at this point. However, Android phone makers often use their own OS skins on top of the “pure” version of Android, which often introduces new (and sometimes polarizing) UI elements or features on top of Android itself.
