Microsoft Surface Duo: The coolest Smartphone of 2020
Last week we featured Samsung’s Unpacked Event with an exciting launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 2. Now, Microsoft has come up with their most ambitious project after the debacle of Microsoft Hololens 2 last year. With the Surface Duo, Microsoft is returning to the smartphone market with a dual-screen, hinged and foldable device which runs on Android. Looking at the past, Microsoft should be wary of their smartphones not doing too well compared to Apple and Samsung. However, we are excited with the look of the new Surface Duo and will discuss the technical aspects, price and availability today.
Personally, I have never been a huge fan of dual-screen devices due to the sheer size and durability factor. Not to mention, the price which it comes at. In recent times, we have seen similar products like Galaxy Z Fold 2 and Motorola Razr. Looking at this scenario, I am thinking if foldable smartphones will be the new normal? Or is it just a smaller version of the microsoft surface tablet?
Microsoft Surface Duo
We have to agree that product reviews have been bizarre in 2020 and nothing tops the Surface Duo. The device comes with an embossed logo of Microsoft Windows on top. It looks like a small stylish notebook made of glass and metal. There are two 5.6 inch OLED screens which form a formidable 8.1 inch display restrained by a unique hinge which Microsoft has been working on since years.
Surface Duo – Technical Specifications
Microsoft Surface Duo smartphone is powered by Google’s Android and it is kind of a major aspect to look forward to. It has two 5.6 inch OLED displays connected by a hinge to mix work with pleasure. After combining the two screens, you get a huge 8.1 inch screen which is efficient for web browsing and working on the go. The Surface Duo Smartphone is 9.9mm thick when closed and 4.8mm when open with a weight just around 250gms, which is a steal. Two screens are best when working on one screen and watching a video on the other as it can stand easily at a variety of angles. It is petite but still depends if you want to use it as a phone or a tablet.
App Support, Pricing and Availability
When a company like Microsoft comes up with a major product release, app makers have to follow through. Due to the middle seam or partition, many popular apps will have to provide support for the device. For example, Amazon has been working on the Kindle app to run on the Surface Duo smartphone and we believe many major apps will follow suit. Microsoft has gone with a not-so-modest price of $1399 with 128GB storage which converts to about AU1,960 or INR 1,05,000. The price may look high, given the previous debacle of Microsoft into the smartphone segment but still competitively priced than the $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2. Microsoft has started pre-orders this week and will start shipping from 10th September 2020.
Wrapping Up
Microsoft is taking a huge leap into the foldable smartphone segment and we believe it can make or break the market. Looking at the recent trends, we think we are not far from the day when foldable smartphones will rule the world. The only drawback we think with Microsoft Surface Duo is the lack of 5G at this price as now you can get a good quality smartphone + a tablet/laptop at this price, or even less. Whatever the case may be, we are all up for the leap in technology and more foldable smartphones means more competition. This will ensure the tech giants not to be complacent and get better upgrades for the end users at a competitive price. If you liked our blog about Microsoft Surface Duo, do leave us a comment below and let us know which product you would like to see next.
Keval Padia is the founder & CEO of Nimblechapps, a fast-growing mobile app development company. The current innovation and updates of the field lures him to express his views and thoughts on certain topics.