Microsoft tries dual-screen phones (again) with Surface Duo 2

Raymond Wong Sep. 22, 2021 Tech With faster performance, bigger screens with a 90Hz refresh rate, and a triple-lens camera, Microsoft has fixed virtually all of the original Surface Duo’s shortcomings. Evan Rodgers / Input

Microsoft is not giving up on its dual-screen Surface Duo phone running Android. The new Surface Duo 2 addresses virtually all of the shortcomings of the original. Evan Rodgers / Input

The Duo 2 hardware feels even more premium than the original. The biggest design change is the addition of a triple-lens camera on the rear. Evan Rodgers / Input

It’s a big camera bump, alright

It’s so big that the Duo 2 can’t fully fold without a gap.

To take photos with the triple-lens camera you need to hold the Duo 2 up like a Nintendo 3DS

Bigger displays

Each screen now measures 5.8-inches (1,344 x 1,892). Combined, they form an 8.3-inch PixelSense Fusion display. Evan Rodgers / Input

Scrolling is so much smoother thanks to a 90Hz refresh rate for both screens

90Hz is just as smooth for apps “spanned” in fullscreen across both displays. Evan Rodgers / Input

Microsoft’s curved the glass lamination into the hinge to make the gap between the dual screens narrower

Unfortunately, this transparent version will not be for sale.

It’s a dope look at the insides, though.

Someone, please make transparent phones. I beg you.

Speaking of the gap: It doubles as a notification bar for incoming calls and messages

More apps and games are optimized for the Duo 2 compared to a year ago

Yes, that’s Xbox on the Duo 2.

Still the finest hinge in any smartphone ever. It feels super solid and smooth. Evan Rodgers / Input

Microsoft loves hinges and is really good at designing them.

The Duo 2 supports the Surface Slim Pen

The still stylus magnetically clips to the front, too.

Hello? Yes, it’s me.

$1,499 The price is the same as the original Duo. Evan Rodgers / Input

I was a fan of the Surface Duo even with below flagship performance and iffy software. Microsoft looks to have taken all the criticism to heart. $1,500 is still a lot of money for a dual-screen phone. I’ll have to see whether the Duo 2 is worth the money with all the upgrades when it arrives on October 21. Evan Rodgers / Input

SPECS:

• Dual 5.8-inch 90Hz AMOLED displays • Snapdragon 888 5G chip • 128GB, 256GB, 512GB of storage • 8GB of RAM • 4,449 mAh battery • Rear cameras: 12MP f/1.7 wide + 12MP f/2.4 2x telephoto + 16MP f/2.2 ultrawide (110° FOV) • Selfie camera: 12MP f/2.0 • 5G Sub-6 + mmWave (U.S. only) Evan Rodgers / Input