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 2 compared to its predecessor, including a ameliorate processor, improved camera setup, and refined blueprint. While most reviews gave the Duo two praise, the device has its flaws. Hither's a drove of what industry experts think well-nigh the Surface Duo 2.

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

The good news is Surface Duo 2 is a giant jump forward in the concept. Information technology is more impressive than always with a triple camera array, 90Hz curved displays, NFC, 5G, and the potent Snapdragon 888. The software is also better — faster, snappier … and more often than not less buggy (more on that later).

He concluded:

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

The folks over at XDA had plenty of compliments to give the Duo two, especially surrounding its design:

I do quite love the Surface Duo 2. There'due south something most information technology that'south pleasant and delightful, and the productivity aspect of it is real. If you spend a lot of time working on the become, you lot'll find that it's super useful to take one app on one screen and another app on the other.

Microsoft really did a not bad job with this 1. The camera is improved, and virtually importantly, the software is a lot better. I just hope that the Redmond firm continues to do well with it 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 two is not perfect merely it's also unique and while the OS is non Microsoft'southward, it embodies the spirit of the Surface brand well. For the correct user, especially an IT Pro who knows how to go the most of the dual-screen arrangement, information technology'southward much easier to recommend the Duo 2 to that user as the hardware specs should go along the device running smoothly for years, even if the software updates never get in.

Marques Brownlee is more critical of the Surface Duo 2. He asked if the device can exist "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 2 is both better... and worse? Does this dual screen passport fold have a future?" His review echoed those sentiments several times.

PCMag'southward review of the Surface Duo two highlighted that the device is unique;

The Surface Duo 2 is the Wolverine of mobile multitasking. "I'g the best at what I exercise," information technology says, "merely sometimes what I practice doesn't look very squeamish." Yeah, it's certainly possible to do split-screen on other Android phones like the Galaxy Z Fold3, but it isn't nigh equally like shooting fish in a barrel nor as obvious. If your ideal phone workflow involves copying and pasting a lot from i window to another, the Duo is a uniquely usable tool. Just while the Duo 2 does things other $1,500 phones tin't practise, it doesn't do things other $ane,500 phones can, like deliver class-leading epitome quality or feel comfortable when held up to your head for a telephone call. Information technology isn't actually an unfolding tablet like the Z Fold3. It'south very much its ain thing.

Android Police made a similar claim. It explained that the Surface Duo 2 can do things no other device can, but that the Duo 2 has some noteworthy problems:

The Surface Duo 2 is peachy at some things yous tin't do well (or at all) on other phones. For instance, you can run 2 apps side-past-side without feeling cramped, and some apps even have custom interfaces for the Duo that brand them much more powerful. However, all of those apps come up from Microsoft. If yous don't live deep in Microsoft's ecosystem, the Duo 2 will be a consistently frustrating experience. Even just checking notifications and taking photos is dull on this device.

CNet'south review chosen the Surface Duo 2 a "step in the correct direction," but that the device is "another step, not the destination."

It's a reflection of how our relationship with mobile devices has changed over the last decade as nosotros've come to rely on them for everything from email, productivity, gaming, video chatting, social media browsing, photo editing and cyberbanking. Just I don't retrieve the Surface Duo ii strikes the right remainder of portability, functionality and practicality that most people want from their smartphone just nevertheless.

The Verge's review of the Duo 2 as well criticized the form gene of the device:

Information technology'south easy to see the potential in the Surface Duo line. Yous can dream upwardly all kinds of different ways yous'd put two screens to utilize, get more work done, and live in the time to come.

Merely it doesn't take long for those dreams to come up crashing downwardly to reality. Between the bugs and inherent awkwardness of the grade factor, the Duo 2 is only a hard device to alive with twenty-four hours to day, much like its predecessor. Despite Microsoft addressing many of the omissions of the start generation — a proper camera, NFC, dual speakers, 5G, current processor — the Duo 2 nonetheless feels similar a secondary device, something you carry alongside your primary phone for taking pictures, paying for things, and full general phone stuff.

Engadget's review claimed that the Duo 2 missed the mark:

But despite having addressed many of the previous generation's problems and adding some useful features, the Duo two remains a frustrating device. And at $ane,500, it's still a pricey product with a niche, express appeal.

Overall, it seems like reviewers believe Microsoft did a expert job improving upon the original Surface Duo. The internal specs are better, the camera is improved, and the design is a natural development of the grade gene. Whether that form gene is worth the pricetag the Duo 2 holds differs greatly from skillful to good. Bugs and software issues also pop upwardly in many reviews.

Surface Duo 2 Square

Surface Duo 2

The Surface Duo ii is a unique foldable telephone with two displays. It has a Snapdragon 888 processor, a triple-camera setup, and supports 5G and NFC.

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Looking for a case to protection your shiny, new, and very expensive Surface Duo 2? Nosotros've got you covered with a circular up of the best Surface Duo 2 cases you can find. Unfortunately, there aren't many (however) simply we'll keep updating this mail with new products as we discover them!