Microsoft's canceled dual-screen device, originally codenamed Andromeda, was a Windows Phone-based prototype designed as a digital pocket notebook with features like inking, a back camera, and wireless charging, but was scrapped in 2018. New images reveal the hardware and software that showcased Microsoft's early vision for a Windows-based dual-screen device, which ultimately evolved into the Android-powered Surface Duo.
Microsoft's Surface Duo, a dual-screen device with two 5.6-inch displays, is now available at a significantly reduced price of $299.99 for a refurbished model. While it may not have received the recognition it deserved due to Microsoft's lack of commitment, the Surface Duo offers a unique and sturdy design, allowing for multitasking and an enhanced user experience. Although it features the Snapdragon 855 chip and has average camera and battery performance, it is a pocket-sized gadget suitable for productivity, reading books, and light gaming.
Microsoft's Surface Duo foldable smartphone has not received any major software updates since October 2022, and the company has not fixed many of the bugs that were introduced with the Android 12L update. Microsoft has also failed to issue an up-to-date security patch for the device, and its Android app teams seem to have abandoned the Surface Duo. The company's partnership with Google on the Surface Duo has reportedly turned sour, and Microsoft's rumored mobile app store may be a factor. The future of the Surface Duo is uncertain, and it remains to be seen if Microsoft will fully invest in the Android OS side of things to differentiate a foldable Surface Duo from the competition.
The Surface Duo, Microsoft's dual-screen smartphone, has improved significantly since its rocky launch and now runs on Android 12L. With a price drop from $1,400 to just over $400, the Surface Duo offers a unique, flat design with two durable OLED screens in a 4:3 aspect ratio, good performance, great battery life, and superb multitasking potential. However, the phone's mono speaker is lackluster, and the screens sometimes exhibit a jelly scrolling effect. Despite its flaws, the Surface Duo is a steal for its current price and stands out among expensive flagship phones.
Third-party developer DuoWOA has released a version of Microsoft's canceled Windows 10X that can run on the first-generation Surface Duo. The release includes graphics drivers and showcases how smooth Windows 10X is on mobile hardware. However, dual-screen functionality and support for cellular phone calls are not yet available. The process for installing Windows 10X on the Surface Duo is not simple, and a version for Surface Duo 2 is not yet available.
