Microsoft Surface Duo foldable smartphone review

In October 2019, Microsoft drew attention to itself with an unusual novelty - the foldable Surface Duo phone. The expected time to market the product is the end of 2020. The manufacturer keeps the maximum data on the new Surface Duo a secret. But bit by bit, the information collected on the Internet allows you to review the model in as much detail as possible.

Microsoft Surface line

The first form of modern smartphones was Windows Mobile, a PC / PDA with a Windows operating system. Then phones with Windows 7, 8 and 10 were updated, but the manufacturer did not orient them towards the mobile applications market.

The largest multinational Microsoft company began production of its own Surface tablets in mid-June 2012. Microsoft Surface - Devices in which you can install applications used on your desktop PC. The Surface brand never ceases to amaze. The quality of Surface laptops and tablets remains excellent.

Appearance and ergonomics

In parallel with the Surface Duo phone, the Surface Neo tablet was presented - a device with a slightly larger size, a different operating system, but identical data. The 9-inch, 1.3kg dual-touch tablet has a hinge that can rotate screens 360 degrees. The wall thickness of one screen is 5.6 mm, when folded, the device is 11.2 mm thick. The tablet is equipped with a thin Gorilla Glass LCD display. Most Microsoft Surface devices come with a "VaporMg" die-cast magnesium case with a PVD finish. Let's hope that the new Duo is made in the same way.

The body of the smartphone has a metallic silver color. Among the world's leading manufacturers, Microsoft is the first to introduce a dual-screen smartphone based on the Android operating system. Outwardly, the device resembles the Surface Neo tablet and looks like a book. The screens are two separate panels with frames, connected by two hinge loops (top and bottom).

The side bezels are narrow, the top and bottom bezels are wide enough. Outside the device on the upper case in the center there is a corporate logo of Microsoft company - 4 mirror squares. The power / lock and volume buttons are located on the right side of the bottom panel, like on ordinary android smartphones. The lower panel display houses the front camera unit. Not visible on the camera body. This fact should be reflected, because for multimedia shooting, you first have to open your smartphone.

The user interface is designed in such a way that you can use both screens simultaneously and in two ways. Each screen can show different tasks as two separate parts, or, if the user wants to watch a movie, you can expand one large window on two screens at once. The picture is able to unfold in any direction, convenient for the user's viewing.

Display

The diagonal screen size is 5.6 inches. The screen is almost square. This factor makes you wonder how comfortable it will be to hold the device in your hand, even when folded. At an angle of 180 degrees, both displays transform into one large 8.3-inch diagonal.At the same time, the screen does not look uniform due to the presence of a full-fledged frame that divides the display in the center, shining with a metallic sheen. The hinge on the displays allows the screen to be rotated 360 degrees. Different scenarios and applications of the device can be used depending on the angle of rotation.

Each screen is protected by toughened Corning Gorilla Glass, however, it has not yet been announced which generation. Glass protects screens from mechanical damage in the form of scratches from keys and other metal objects.

CPU

The Surface Duo is powered by Qualcomm's flagship processor, which is powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset and is considered the most powerful mobile processor in 2019. The chipset supports networks in 5G mode, as far as it will be applicable for the Duo, time will tell. The powerful neuroprocessor inside is responsible for regulating the energy consumption in the system.

Eight cores are arranged in three clusters, in a 1/3/4 scheme. The high-performance single-core Cortex-A76 cluster Kryo 485 Gold + is clocked at 2.84 GHz. The mid-range Cortex-A76 cluster with three Kryo 485 Gold cores is responsible for running tasks at 2.42 GHz. The energy efficient Cortex-A55 cluster consists of 4 Kryo 485 Silver cores and operates at a frequency of 1.8 GHz. He is responsible for the operation of applications and programs, ensures the operability of the operating system itself. The distribution of cores helped to increase processor performance by one and a half times. The technological process is 7 nanometers, with an Adreno 640 graphics accelerator chip.

The processor's characteristics allow supporting new modern high-resolution sensors. The voice assistant distinguishes the user's voice through audio focus, even in crowded places, suppressing unnecessary noise and sounds. A special function (computer vision) helps determine the depth during video shooting. The chipset supports the new Wi-Fi 6 ready standard with new MIMO technology. The data transfer rate is approximately 10 Gbps using the 802.11ay standard with minimal latency. When connected with a Bluetooth headset, Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo Plus will delay the signal between the two channels and reduce power consumption.

Interface capabilities

Surface Duo is co-created with Google. The operating system has been optimized and tuned for dual-screen operation. The multitasking of the device with this solution takes the device to a new level. When folded into the shape of a Surface Duo laptop, you can use one display as a keyboard for typing or as a controller for simple gaming.

Surface Duo comes with Google Android OS (Android 9 Pie plus Microsoft's launcher). The Android version is as close as possible to the Windows 10X operating system on Neo. Why did the manufacturer decide to use this OS? After all, the Surface Neo tablet runs the new system of the latest version of Windows 10X, through which you can emulate Android applications. Perhaps the following connection is visible: Windows makes the best operating system for PC / tablet, which works better on similar devices, while Android is more suitable for smartphones. Surface Duo combines Surface hardware and Google's app store. According to the manufacturer, absolutely all applications of the Android system will work on the smartphone. For this, the developer is given a year to apply and test all possible applications and programs optimized for a given smartphone model, before launching products to the masses. Included in the interface will be the Edge browser and Microsoft Office, the company's own development.

Application

The device can be used as a portable folding mini computer to work in social networks, browse the web, multimedia clips, for photo processing. At home, in the office, at the dacha, on the road, while traveling, a smartphone will be an irreplaceable thing. A call system is provided for receiving and dialing calls. When both hands are busy, phone calls can be controlled via wireless headphones and a headset. You can also take a call without opening your smartphone.

The combination of Microsoft and Google brings the best moments from both groups. The smartphone resembles a pocket computer with Internet access. The device is equipped with a telephone connection, and, like most Microsoft products, is intended for a specific group of users. Office workers, students, people who, due to their professional activities, have to make a large number of notes and comments, can actively use the device, carrying it in their breast pocket. The smartphone is not designed for the general consumer: you cannot play a cool game through a fast display, watch a long movie or video, the main camera is absent. Among the minuses, one can assume the rapid wear of the hinges on which the screens are held, with the active opening / closing of the device.

Battery

Given the thickness of the device, it can be assumed that a medium-capacity battery is installed inside, which reduces the battery life of the equipment. The principle of smartphones is as follows; with a more capacious battery, the device looks thicker.

Specifications

• unconventional appearance and peculiar style;
• renowned manufacturer;
• excellent build quality;
• user-friendly interface;
• multitasking;
• support and use of two screens at the same time;
• small gap between screens;
• suitable for professional activities;
• screens are covered with durable high quality tempered glass;
• rotation of screens 0 - 360 degrees;
• extensive use of the device;
• high-performance processor;
• own optimized software and application development;
• lightweight apparatus.

• too wide for the hand - it is inconvenient to hold even when folded;
• fragility with careless use;
• not designed for the general consumer;
• small autonomous operation and a low-capacity battery are possible;
• the presence of only a front-facing camera - you have to open the device for taking photos and filming.

Conclusion

The survey showed how intrigued the prospective buyer is with the foldable device after the disastrous Windows 10 Mobile system. Why keep secret information about a gadget for so long? Hopefully, once it comes out and goes on sale, the Surface Duo will be the perfect device with the stated specs and will live up to the long wait. All that remains is to wait for the start of the 2020 New Year's sales.