Microsoft's anticipated re-entry into the smartphone space, as well as its big showcase of its hardware technology is the Surface Duo. Announced to be coming to the US only on September 10, for US$1,399 (around CA$1,850) and featuring middling specs, this foldable is sparking all sorts of mixed reactions.
Surface Duo and the larger Surface Neo were teased last year and slated for release in Christmas 2020. That the Surface Duo is being made available sooner is somewhat of a surprise even if it has been leaked and teased ad nauseam by Microsoft's executives. With dual 5.6 displays that fold to simulate a larger 8-inch tablet form factor, Microsoft has avoided calling this device a smartphone and played down its connectivity and calling capability (possibly because it lacks critical components expected from flagship smartphones, namely NFC for mobile payments and 5G capability).
The Surface Duo runs Android 10 but is slanted towards the Microsoft Launcher and Office 365 productivity and apps. A lot has been made about its revolutionary hinge, hinges being a key surface feature, as well as the various modes that the device can be used. Microsoft is aiming at enterprise with the Surface Duo, at leas that is how they are justifiying the insane price they are charging for what is essentially an underpowered smartphone.
Here are some issues with how the Surface Duo is being released. It costs too much for an enterprise mobile device that, really, makes little to no sense now that everyone is working from home. Surface Duo doesn't replace smartphones, or Surface tablets, it's just another tweener device that's more proof of concept than a solution to a problem. No doubt that Microsoft wants this to work, so do we, but there will be the inevitable comparison to other foldables, namely Samsung's new Fold which seems to have resolved various issues. That's a device with three displays, works like a phone and a tablet with a real folding display, and it has 5G, NFC and more LTE and Wi-Fi bands than anyone needs.
We've loved a lot of Surface devices and feel that their design team is one of the more vibrant ones in the industry. Surface Duo and Neo are truly exciting next generation products. It is difficult to imagine this product succeeding in the current landscape where consumers and enterprises are more price sensitive than ever.