Microsoft launched its first foldable handset back in October of 2019 but failed to ship the device until 2020, with the result being far from perfect.
Now, the company is trying its hand at the Surface Duo 2, its second attempt at a foldable. This comes after multiple leaks and rumours in relation to the Surface Duo 2. The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is set to retail for $1499.
What Does Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 Bring to the Table?
In terms of what is different, the design remains unchanged, with the only difference being that Microsoft is making use of two separate displays instead of folding one panel. The displays are 5.8-inches in size, slightly up from the 5.6-inch panel on the original Surface Duo.
The display combines for an 8.3-inch panel, with curved edges to the side. The display comes with a high refresh rate display, with support for 90Hz. Users can also see the time and notifications on the hinge when it is not open.
Microsoft has also introduced its new Surface Slim Pen 2 which can be wirelessly charged by the foldable when it is attached. The buttons on the pen are no longer on the edge and are now on the flat side, with the pen tip also getting sharper.
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On Windows, Microsoft says users will get vibrations to replicate the feel of a pen on paper, with the exact statement being that it sends “tactile signals through the touch receptors in your fingertips.”
Optics wise there is some difference, but before that, it is worth noting that the bezels to the top and bottom are still present. Coming to the rear, there is a triple-lens system with a 12MP wide sensor, a 16MP ultra-wide sensor and a 12MP telephoto sensor. This means that the device will no longer lay flat like its predecessor or fold fully like the original Duo.
What Else is There?
A new black hue is now available alongside the regular white hue, with the USB-C port now towards the centre on the right-side. A fingerprint sensor, integrated into the power button is also present on the edge.
Performance-wise, the Surface Duo 2 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. Connectivity options include Bluetooth 5.0, 5G and NFC for contactless payment functionality.
To add to all of this, Microsoft mentions that the Duo 2 comes with optimizations for sharing information between two different screens and spreading the data on both of them, with multiple games optimized for using one screen as a controller, with a few notable ones being Asphalt Legends 9, Modern Combat 5.
