Microsoft’s Surface Duo is an open guide.
CNET
Microsoft’s bringing the Surface Duo to market Sept. 10, with preorders beginning Wednesday. The $1,399 Surface Duo, powered by a modified model of Google’s Android software program, places a special spin on the foldable cellphone development, becoming a member of Samsung’s lately introduced Galaxy Z Fold 2, the Galaxy Z Flip and final 12 months’s Motorola Razr reboot. The Surface Duo’s hinge is the important thing distinction, bringing collectively two 5.6-inch screens as a substitute of counting on one huge show that may be folded. Microsoft created the Surface Duo over 5 years, growing the hinge in a approach that is simple to open however onerous to by accident shut. The hinge permits the super-thin screens to rotate 360 levels. Microsoft does not wish to name the dual-screen Surface Duo a cellphone, per se. Instead, it needs us to consider this as a brand new kind of product. “When we designed it, the intent was, ‘How do you make something so thin, beautiful, light and super elegant that when people pick it up they can feel that emotion in the product,” Panos Panay, Microsoft’s chief product officer and head of Surface gadgets, mentioned in an unique interview.
Now enjoying:
Watch this:
Inside the Microsoft Surface Duo: We did not use it, however…
8:31
The machine brings new concepts to the cell world, together with software program Microsoft wrote to make the 2 screens work together. You can drag a photograph from one display screen to the opposite and it really works due to a mixture of laptop programming that follows your finger throughout the screens. There’s additionally an array of sensors that observe the place the shows are relative to one another, together with in the event that they’re open, closed or someplace in between. While CNET Editor at Large Scott Stein — a famous dual-screen skeptic — says the machine felt good in his palms, he says $1,399 is some huge cash to ask of individuals on a standard day, not to mention in the course of an financial downturn fueled by the coronavirus pandemic.
GIF by Caitlin Petrakovitz/CNET
Still, Microsoft invited us to speak with its engineers about how the Surface Duo was conceived, the expertise invented to make it doable and the way it’ll work once we get it within the mail (be careful for CNET’s evaluate within the subsequent few weeks). In I’m already folding in love with the texture of Microsoft’s Surface Duo, Stein shares what it was like to carry a Surface Duo prototype. Microsoft shipped us a near-production prototype machine with the screens changed by clear glass so we are able to see the interior working and be taught the way it works. Stein additionally talks about why he hasn’t like dual-screen gadgets earlier than, and why the Surface Duo often is the machine to vary his thoughts. In Microsoft’s two-screen Surface Duo is not an iPhone or Galaxy Fold. That’s the purpose, we have a look at the place the Surface Duo suits on the earth, and why Microsoft is selecting to make a brand new handheld machine after a sequence of embarrassing multibillion-dollar makes an attempt that led to failure.Here’s how Microsoft’s Surface Duo compares to its foldable rivals: Surface Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs. Razr.Surface Duo vs. Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs. Razr
Microsoft Surface Duo
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Motorola Razr
Display measurement
Dual 5.6-inch AMOLED; Combined: 8.1-inch AMOLED; 2,700×1,800 pixels
Internal: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED; External 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Internal: 6.2-inch, foldable OLED; External: 2.7-inch glass OLED
Resolution
1,800×1,350 pixels; 2,700×1,800 pixels
TBD
2,142x876p pixels; 800×600 pixels
Dimensions (Inches)
Folded: 5.72×3.67×0.399 inches / Unfolded: 5.72×7.36×0.19 inches
TBD
Unfolded: 6.8×2.8×0.28 inches / Folded: 3.7×2.8×0.55 inches
Dimensions (Millimeters)
Folded: 145.2×93.3×9.9mm / Unfolded: 145.2×186.9×4.8mm
TBD
Unfolded: 172x72x6.9mm / Folded: 94x72x14mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
8.8 oz; 250g
TBD
7.2 oz; 205g
Mobile software program
TBD
TBD
Android 9
Camera
11-megapixel
TBD
16-megapixel exterior, 5-megapixel inside
Front-facing digital camera
TBD
TBD
16-megapixel exterior
Video seize
4K
TBD
4K
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
TBD
Qualcomm Snapdragon 710
Storage
128GB, 256GB
TBD
128GB
RAM
6GB
TBD
6GB
Expandable storage
TBD
TBD
No
Battery
3,577 mAh
4,500 mAh
2,510 mAh
Fingerprint sensor
TBD
TBD
Below display screen
Connector
TBD
TBD
USB-C
Headphone jack
TBD
TBD
None
Special options
Dual-screen show; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM)
5G, Foldable show, 120Hz refresh charge
Foldable show, eSIM, Motorola gestures, splashproof
Price at launch (USD)
$1,399 (128GB)
TBD
$1,499
Price (GBP)
Converts to about £1,070
TBD
Converts to about £1,160
Price (AUD)
Converts to about AU$1,960
TBD
Converts to about $2,090
Here’s what else it’s good to know concerning the Surface Duo. How a lot does the Surface Duo price?Foldable telephones aren’t low-cost. Last 12 months, when Samsung launched its Galaxy Fold after a sequence of design failures had been found by reviewers simply earlier than launch, it price $1,980. The (additionally delayed) Huawei Mate X went for the equal of $2,400 when it was launched. Microsoft is charging $1,399 for the 128GB model of the Surface Duo. There will likely be a 256GB model as nicely. Will the Surface Duo have 5G?Nearly each main cellphone launch this 12 months, together with Apple’s forthcoming iPhone, is anticipated to help 5G wi-fi capabilities. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, introduced earlier this month for $1,300, has 5G. So does its cousin, the Galaxy Z Fold 2, whose value and launch date will likely be introduced in September. The Surface Duo, however, will work with 4G networks. Microsoft mentioned the rationale comes right down to tradeoffs — the corporate selected to stay with the earlier era wi-fi tech to permit for higher battery life and a thinner machine. The hinge that makes the Surface Duo doable.
Scott Stein/CNET
Where will it promote? Microsoft closed practically all its brick-and-mortar retail shops, so you will not have the ability to discover them there even in case you’re keen to enterprise out throughout the pandemic. It will likely be bought on-line by way of Microsoft’s web site. You’ll have the ability to purchase it from AT&T and Best Buy, too. If the $1,399 beginning value is just too steep for you, Microsoft mentioned it will supply a 0%, 24-month cost plan by way of Dell financing. AT&T equally will can help you pay in installments by way of its Next Up program.
Discover the most recent information and greatest evaluations in smartphones and carriers from CNET’s cell specialists.
We received to see contained in the Surface Duo, beneath the screens, to see the way it works.
Richard Peterson/CNET
How nicely do apps run within the cellphone? Microsoft made a degree of exhibiting us that normal Android apps run on the machine simply effective, due to its two screens being the equal of two normal cellphone shows. For apps constructed with the second display screen in thoughts, they are often designed to “span” throughout the 2 screens, that means an electronic mail app might have your inbox on the left and opened messages on the appropriate. They may be programmed to open new hyperlinks or companion apps within the reverse display screen you are . Microsoft demonstrated Amazon’s Kindle guide studying app, which was designed to appear to be a guide with textual content on the left and proper. When you swipe your finger throughout the display screen, an animated web page follows alongside. At launch, it seems Microsoft’s apps will primarily be those constructed with the Surface Duo in thoughts. Those embody Microsoft Office, Outlook, Teams, OneNote and Authenticator. Oh, and you may’t neglect Microsoft Solitaire Collection too. The firm mentioned that it is working with Google to combine among the software program it developed for the Surface Duo again into Android so different two-screen gadgets sooner or later will profit from Microsoft’s work. That additionally means extra apps might ultimately be programmed for the Surface Duo in consequence. How many folds can it take? We’ve examined a couple of folding gadgets at CNET utilizing a particular robotic developed by SquareTrade. The Samsung Galaxy Fold started failing after about 120,000 folds throughout our check final 12 months. That was a lot lower than the 200,000 folds we estimated it will undergo throughout 5 years of use. (Although we’re simply beginning to find out how individuals use folding telephones and that might change with the totally different designs corporations are inventing). When we put the brand new Motorla Razr by way of FoldBot’s paces final 12 months, that machine did not make it to 28,000 folds. Microsoft preemptively mentioned folding check robots do not simulate actual life utilization the identical approach its personal labs do. Still, it would not say what number of folds the Surface Duo might final by way of, besides that the corporate expects the hinge mechanism to final past the Surface Duo’s personal pure lifecycle. The Surface Duo’s particular person screens are thinner than an iPad Air.
Richard Peterson/CNET
Does Surface Duo have a digital camera? Many corporations releasing premium telephones justify their $1,000 or extra costs with the gorgeous pictures they are saying you might take. Apple has that Shot on iPhone billboard marketing campaign, and the iPhone Photography Awards contest. Samsung boasts about how its gadgets can ship beautiful zoom with their cameras. And Google proudly says its superior programming makes images on its Pixel telephones not like opponents, providing shockingly nicely captured low-light pictures. They may even {photograph} stars within the sky. By comparability, Microsoft’s principally talked about how the Surface Duo is constructed for productiveness and higher interplay between apps. Translation: Its digital camera is not going to be a killer characteristic. CNET will nonetheless check the digital camera towards different premium telephones once we do our evaluations. A peak on the Surface Duo’s digital camera.
Richard Peterson/CNET
Will it get fast Android updates? One of probably the most vexing components of proudly owning a cellphone powered by Google’s Android software program is Android itself. Manufacturers routinely fail to ship well timed updates to customers, even with Google placing out check variations of its software program months forward of the everyday fall launch. Microsoft says it is working with Google instantly on the Surface Duo, which naturally led to questions on whether or not which means it will get up to date extra usually and extra shortly. Microsoft says the machine will get software program updates, however did not decide to timetables about when. It is available in a field that is very harking back to a sure fruit firm that additionally makes telephones.
Richard Peterson/CNET
Other particulars concerning the Surface Duo A 360-degree hinge means you’ll be able to fold one display screen flat towards the opposite to carry it like a notepad.You get a complete of 8.3 inches of display screen actual property.There’s no outer display screen — you must open the machine to make use of it.It helps the Surface Pen, which it’s good to purchase individually for not less than $99.The Surface Duo has thick display screen bezels, however which may assist maintain you from by accident tapping whilst you maintain it. Microsoft mentioned the bezels are a tradeoff from miniaturizing components and making the screens so skinny. It’s additionally Microsoft’s approach of claiming smaller bezels are possible sooner or later.You can drag and drop objects, like a cellphone quantity, from one display screen to the opposite. Surface Duo specs Two 5.6-inch AMOLED shows operating at a decision of 1,800×1,350 pixels separately8.3 inches of whole display screen actual property when opened absolutely, operating at an efficient decision of two,700×1,800 pixelsSnapdragon 855, 6GB DRAMLTE 4×4 MIMO (Not 5G), helps AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless within the USFingerprint readerUSB-C charger128GB or 256GB of inside storageMono speaker11-megapixel digital camera, f2.0 with digital picture stabilization