Microsoft today revealed the Surface Duo 2, its 2nd generation two-screen Android phone, and unlike the first iteration, it will be launching locally. We don't have a concrete date, but Microsoft says you'll be able to pick up the Surface Duo 2 in late October at a price of $2,319. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that consumers will only be able to pick up the phone direct through Microsoft; telcos won't be ranging it.
Rather than having a single screen that bends in half like the Galaxy Z Fold 3, the Surface Duo 2 has two 5.8-inch displays connected by a hinge. When combined, the screen measures in at 8.3-inch. While there's no external display on the Surface Duo 2, a slight curve on the screen means you can see the time and notifications when the phone is shut. Both displays have a 90Hz refresh rate.
A lot of the Surface Duo 2's new functionality seems designed to address the previous model's shortcomings. It's powered by a top-tier Snapdragon 888 processor, it has 5G connectivity, there are three cameras on the back instead of just one, and NFC support. You'll also get 8GB of RAM, between 128GB and 512GB of storage, and a 4,449mAh battery.
The Surface Duo 2 also works with Microsoft's new Surface Slim 2 Pen, which will magnetically clip to the phone and charge while connected. The Slim 2 Pen will set you back $189.95.
Microsoft is naturally pushing the Surface Duo 2 as a productivity phone, given you can run two apps at the same time. In some cases, you'll be able to use the two screens as a large display to run a single app, and in others, you'll be able to use the secondary screen as a keyboard or game controller. We'd expect this will vary on an app-by-app basis.
You'll be able to get the Surface Duo 2 in a choice of obsidian and glacier.
Alex Choros
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