![]() ![]() Microsoft has given the phone’s software a shot in the arm for 2022. Stretch the app across both displays and you have another problem: a distracting crease in the middle. The phone’s unusual 3:2 aspect ratio doesn’t play nicely with most films and TV shows, so black bars above and below the screen are quite common. On that note, it’s worth mentioning that the Duo 2 is rather awkward to use as a media consumption device. Whichever mode you choose, however, you’ll still be getting effectively perfect contrast of Infinity:1, as well as a high peak brightness of 700cd/m², with a measured 772cd/m² when displaying HDR content. The Duo 2’s secondary Vivid colour profile tweaks the saturation of colours, but not to a distracting degree. When closed and charging, the small visible strip can be used to display the charging progress as a simple green bar, and you can also display the time whenever you click the power button on the opposite edge. The inner screens now curve slightly into the phone’s hinge, which not only looks swish but also serves a practical purpose. The second screen can still be rotated all the way around, and there’s not much flex if you press the screen against the gap, either. It’s certainly not the nicest thing to look at, but thankfully it doesn’t get in the way when it comes to functionality. Now incorporating a trio of cameras – which I’ll discuss later in this review – the Duo 2’s camera housing protrudes about 3.5mm from the back glass panel. Microsoft hasn’t explicitly discussed any changes to the phone’s hinge, but in my testing it does seem to hold the second screen more securely in place when adjusted at dramatic angles.Īnother big change is the addition of that chunky camera block on the phone’s rear. ![]() The Duo 2’s hinge feels a bit sturdier than the previous version, too. However, unlike the Z Fold 3, the Surface Duo 2 doesn’t have an IP rating, which means it’s pretty much useless against the elements. These aren’t flexible panels, either, so they should survive a lot longer against the stresses of everyday life, unlike Samsung’s flimsy “Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X” displays. To start with, the inner glass is now surrounded by thin plastic, which means that the Duo 2 is much softer to close, and both screens are also more durable, protected by a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus. It’s pretty obvious that Microsoft has addressed previous (negative) feedback, too. And while it still functions exactly the same as the original – with a pair of screens separated by a 360-degree reversible hinge – there’s a lot to like in terms of both looks and functionality. Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review: Design and key featuresĪrguably, the Duo 2’s biggest list of upgrades can be found in the design. Despite having a similar design as the Z Flip 3, and being two years older, you have to pay an extra £200 ( £1,199). There’s also the ageing Moto Razr (2019), which seems to have been abandoned by Motorola in the subsequent years since its release. ![]() On the other hand, Samsung does also offer the Galaxy Z Flip 3 as a second option, with its flip-to-open clamshell design coming in at an enticing £999. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 is even pricier than the Duo 2, starting at a lofty £1,599. Of course, it’s not like Microsoft is alone in charging this much. Then again, Apple’s flagship doesn’t fold – at least without breaking it – and that’s what we’re here for in the first place, right? An unlimited data contract costs an eye-watering £90 a month.įor the amount of money you might spend on the Surface Duo 2, you could buy an iPhone 13 Pro Max instead and still have £300 left over. EE is the only UK mobile network offering the Surface Duo 2 on contract, with prices starting at £73 a month with an upfront cost of £153 and this only comes with 4GB of monthly data. That particular figure is for the 128GB version, with 256GB costing £1,429 and the 512GB model going for £1,589. Admittedly, Microsoft’s foldable is £50 cheaper than the original was at launch, but the Surface Duo 2’s comparatively microscopic saving means you’ve still got to pay at least £1,349 if you go SIM-free. Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review: Price and competitionĪlas, the Surface Duo 2 is still excruciatingly expensive. The previous model had to make do with a solitary (and frankly rather shoddy) 11MP camera. Perhaps the most obvious upgrade is the new triple-camera block on the rear, which now incorporates a 12MP main camera, 12MP 2x telephoto sensor and a 16MP ultrawide unit. Internally, the Surface Duo 2 is powered by a much faster Snapdragon 888 chipset, with an extra 2GB of RAM (8GB) and an option to increase the internal storage up to 512GB. ![]()
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