Today marks the three-year anniversary of the release of the Microsoft Surface Duo, which was believed to be the start of a promising smartphone lineup for Microsoft. Despite some flaws, such as an outdated chipset, a single camera serving as both a rear and front-facing camera, and the absence of 5G support, the Surface Duo was equipped with dual 5.6-inch screens that formed an 8.1-inch display when opened fully. However, users of the original Surface Duo will no longer receive Android and security updates, leaving their devices vulnerable to malware attacks and unresolved bugs.
On the other hand, the Surface Duo 2, launched a year later, operated on Android 11 and will receive support until October 21, 2024. With one major Android update already delivered (Android 12L) alongside the OG Surface Duo’s update, the sequel requires one additional update to match the software support of its predecessor. The Surface Duo 2 featured slightly larger 5.8-inch AMOLED screens that expanded to an 8.3-inch panel when unfolded. It benefited from the powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset and incorporated a triple camera setup consisting of a 12MP primary camera, a 12MP telephoto camera, and a 16MP ultra-wide camera. Additionally, there was a 12MP front-facing camera on one of the screens, and 5G support was included.
Overall, while the original Surface Duo is no longer eligible for updates, the Surface Duo 2 continues to receive support and remains a viable option for users seeking a dual-screen smartphone experience.
