Here's what experts think about Microsoft's Surface Duo 2

Microsoft's Surface Duo 2 officially launched today. Reviews for the foldable started rolling in today, including quite a bit of praise for the unique device. Many outlets highlight improvements in the Duo ii compared to its predecessor, including a better processor, improved photographic camera setup, and refined design. While most reviews gave the Duo 2 praise, the device has its flaws. Here'due south a collection of what industry experts think about the Surface Duo 2.

Our executive editor Daniel Rubino said in his Surface Duo 2 review:

The skilful news is Surface Duo 2 is a behemothic leap forward in the concept. It is more impressive than ever with a triple photographic camera array, 90Hz curved displays, NFC, 5G, and the potent Snapdragon 888. The software is also better — faster, snappier … and by and large less buggy (more on that later).

He concluded:

Don't let anyone tell you differently: Surface Duo 2 is a huge improvement over the commencement model. But the actual Surface Duo experience is waiting for another chapter, making Surface Duo 2 a dainty milestone but still a novelty for many.

The folks over at XDA had plenty of compliments to requite the Duo 2, specially surrounding its design:

I do quite love the Surface Duo 2. There's something most it that's pleasant and delightful, and the productivity aspect of it is existent. If y'all spend a lot of fourth dimension working on the become, you'll detect that information technology'due south super useful to have 1 app on one screen and some other app on the other.

Microsoft really did a great job with this one. The photographic camera is improved, and most importantly, the software is a lot better. I just hope that the Redmond business firm continues to do well with information technology by servicing it with software updates.

Brad Sams complimented the Surface Duo 2 for embodying the Surface brand in his review for Petri:

The Duo 2 is non perfect but information technology's as well unique and while the Os is not Microsoft's, it embodies the spirit of the Surface brand well. For the right user, especially an Information technology Pro who knows how to get the virtually of the dual-screen arrangement, it's much easier to recommend the Duo 2 to that user as the hardware specs should keep the device running smoothly for years, fifty-fifty if the software updates never make it.

Marques Brownlee is more disquisitional of the Surface Duo two. He asked if the device tin can be "saved," claiming that the form factor of the Duo two might be flawed at its core. The description of his review reads, "Microsoft Surface Duo two is both better... and worse? Does this dual screen passport fold have a future?" His review echoed those sentiments several times.

PCMag'south review of the Surface Duo ii highlighted that the device is unique;

The Surface Duo 2 is the Wolverine of mobile multitasking. "I'm the best at what I practice," information technology says, "simply sometimes what I do doesn't look very nice." Yes, it's certainly possible to exercise dissever-screen on other Android phones like the Galaxy Z Fold3, but it isn't nearly equally easy nor equally obvious. If your ideal phone workflow involves copying and pasting a lot from one window to another, the Duo is a uniquely usable tool. But while the Duo two does things other $1,500 phones tin can't do, information technology doesn't practise things other $1,500 phones tin can, like deliver class-leading prototype quality or feel comfortable when held up to your head for a phone phone call. It isn't really an unfolding tablet similar the Z Fold3. It's very much its ain affair.

Android Police fabricated a similar claim. It explained that the Surface Duo ii tin do things no other device tin can, merely that the Duo ii has some noteworthy problems:

The Surface Duo 2 is great at some things you can't practice well (or at all) on other phones. For example, you tin run two apps side-by-side without feeling cramped, and some apps even accept custom interfaces for the Duo that make them much more powerful. Nevertheless, all of those apps come from Microsoft. If y'all don't live deep in Microsoft's ecosystem, the Duo two will be a consistently frustrating feel. Fifty-fifty only checking notifications and taking photos is deadening on this device.

CNet'southward review called the Surface Duo 2 a "step in the right direction," but that the device is "some other footstep, not the destination."

Information technology'due south a reflection of how our human relationship with mobile devices has changed over the concluding decade every bit we've come to rely on them for everything from electronic mail, productivity, gaming, video chatting, social media browsing, photo editing and cyberbanking. Simply I don't call back the Surface Duo 2 strikes the right balance of portability, functionality and practicality that well-nigh people desire from their smartphone just withal.

The Verge's review of the Duo 2 also criticized the grade cistron of the device:

It'southward piece of cake to run across the potential in the Surface Duo line. You lot can dream upwards all kinds of unlike ways you'd put two screens to utilise, become more work done, and alive in the future.

But it doesn't take long for those dreams to come crashing downward to reality. Betwixt the bugs and inherent awkwardness of the form cistron, the Duo 2 is just a difficult device to live with twenty-four hour period to day, much similar its predecessor. Despite Microsoft addressing many of the omissions of the first generation — a proper camera, NFC, dual speakers, 5G, current processor — the Duo 2 nonetheless feels like a secondary device, something y'all carry alongside your chief phone for taking pictures, paying for things, and general phone stuff.

Engadget'south review claimed that the Duo two missed the mark:

Just despite having addressed many of the previous generation's problems and adding some useful features, the Duo two remains a frustrating device. And at $1,500, information technology'due south notwithstanding a pricey product with a niche, limited entreatment.

Overall, it seems similar reviewers believe Microsoft did a expert task improving upon the original Surface Duo. The internal specs are better, the camera is improved, and the blueprint is a natural evolution of the grade gene. Whether that form cistron is worth the pricetag the Duo two holds differs greatly from skilful to adept. Bugs and software issues likewise pop upwards in many reviews.

Surface Duo 2 Square

Surface Duo 2

The Surface Duo 2 is a unique foldable phone with two displays. Information technology has a Snapdragon 888 processor, a triple-camera setup, and supports 5G and NFC.

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Grab a case to protect your Surface Duo 2 with these options

Looking for a case to protection your shiny, new, and very expensive Surface Duo ii? Nosotros've got you covered with a round up of the best Surface Duo 2 cases you can find. Unfortunately, there aren't many (yet) but we'll keep updating this post with new products every bit we find them!