Surface Duo 2: Can This Be Saved?
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Promos
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is both better... and worse? Does this dual screen passport fold have a future? MKBHD Merch: shop.mkbhd.com Tech I'm using right now: amazon.com Intro Track: youtube.com Playlist of MKBHD Intro music: goo.gl Phone provided by Microsoft for review. ~ twitter.com @MKBHD @MKBHD
The video presents an early impressions analysis of the Microsoft Surface Duo 2, focusing on whether the second generation can actually fix the fundamental flaws of the original. The host argues that despite meaningful improvements in hardware and software, the Duo 2 may still be fundamentally flawed in how it is used, which could limit its future viability. He highlights key changes such as a larger brighter display with a curved edge effect, a real triple camera system on the back, and higher end internals, while noting that these improvements come with new usability drawbacks. A central point is the absence of an outside display, which forces users to open the device for most tasks and undermines quick interactions, a concern the host considers a major impediment to broader adoption. The video weighs whether the price increase and design choices justify the device, and invites viewer input on whether Microsoft should continue pursuing outside displays or preserve the current form factor for a niche audience. Through practical demonstrations and comparisons to competing foldables, the reviewer emphasizes real world usability gaps such as middle screen readability, camera placement, and the awkwardness of taking photos with the device partially open. The conclusion is cautiously skeptical about the Duo 2’s prospects, suggesting that while the concept is compelling, the execution may not deliver a broadly viable path forward for the form factor. The host teases a more positive future video while acknowledging that the Surface Duo 2 represents a complicated trade-off between improvement and new compromises.
Topics · technology · smartphones · hardware · product-review · Microsoft
Questions answered
- What are the main hardware improvements in the Surface Duo 2 compared to the original device?
- The Surface Duo 2 features a larger 8.3 inch display with higher brightness and 90 Hz refresh rate, a curved edge design that creates a waterfall look, and a real triple camera system on the back including a 12 MP main sensor, a 2x telephoto, and a 16 MP ultra wide. It also switches to a dedicated camera bump with matte rails and improves the overall hardware aesthetics and fingerprint sensor integration.
- What usability drawbacks does the Surface Duo 2 retain or introduce?
- A central usability drawback is the lack of an outside display, which means users must open the device for most tasks. The camera bump covers part of the back, complicating photography, and the middle screen area can become unreadable when spanning apps across both displays. There are still touch responsiveness issues and some buggy software behavior that undermine the user experience.
- Based on the analysis, should Microsoft continue with the outside screen form factor or pivot the design?
- The reviewer questions whether Microsoft should continue with the outside screen approach or pivot to a revised form factor or different product focus. The consensus from the impressions is that the outside screen is a significant limitation, and without addressing this core issue, even strong hardware and software improvements may not be enough to ensure broad adoption.