There is more potential in apps like Outlook that provide a multi-pane view, but few apps or games are optimised for the dual-screen system. Using two apps side-by-side works well, but few combinations proved useful or faster than just quick switching between two apps on one screen on a normal phone. The gap at the hinge makes combining them into one big tablet screen awkward too. The individual screens are short and stout, forcing lots of scrolling in apps when using it like a phone and making one-handed use very difficult. The Surface Duo 2 is an improvement on its predecessor, but is still a very odd proposition that’s neither a good phone nor a good tablet. The width of the device makes it a challenge to fit into smaller pockets. The stereo speakers are decently loud but a bit tinny, fine for watching YouTube videos. The Duo 2 supports Microsoft’s Slim Pen stylus, which can be magnetically stored and charged on the back of the device when not in use. The shiny power button is also a fingerprint scanner, which was fairly fast and reliable. The camera lump on the back stops the device folding fully flat, creating a wedge shape when using one screen only. Microsoft’s last planned update for the Duo 2 will be 21 October 2024. The Duo 2 will receive three years of software updates from release, including monthly security patches, which is disappointingly at least a year short of what rivals, including Samsung and Apple, offer. But it is generally a fast and responsive experience given how unusual the device is. The software can be a bit unpredictable at times, such as opening the keyboard or text box of an app on another screen or hiding a second app from the screen when you try to type. One of the best is the ability to drag the gesture bar at the bottom of an app to move it between screens or to drop it on to the gap between the screens to span it across both displays. The Duo 2 runs Android 11 – not the latest Android 12 – and generally behaves like a standard Android smartphone or tablet with a few small additions that make it easier to use each screen separately. Unfortunately, the first-generation version isn’t up to par just yet.The single screen mode is hard to use one-handed and most Android apps and websites are designed for longer screens, not short and fat ones, so you end up having to do a lot more scrolling than you would on a regular phone. He appreciates the concept though, and believes that dual-screen devices will be beneficial in a work environment. PCMag’s Sascha Segan doesn’t recommend buying the Surface Duo and says it is awkward to use, buggy, and expensive.However, the dated hardware and high price point are negatives worth keeping in mind. It’s a good choice if you are a Microsoft Office user, with Microsoft’s own apps working really well on the dual screens. Tech Radar’s Bill Thomas says that the Surface Duo offers a look at what a professional phone will eventually look like.He also found that the huge bezels and the black bar in the middle don’t make for a great media viewing experience. Cnet’s Scott Stein says that the beautiful design, solid displays, and many productivity features aren’t enough to overcome the buggy software experience and the limited number of apps that can take advantage of the dual screens.To give you a clearer picture of the Microsoft Surface Duo, we look at what reviewers from other publications have to say about the Microsoft Surface Duo. Unless you’re a Microsoft enthusiast and willing to be a beta tester of sorts, this isn’t the device for you. He concludes by saying that the Duo will require a lot of refining before it’s ready for the mainstream. The number of apps optimized for the Duo is still limited, and a buggy experience made even the useful features work poorly. He also struggled to find ways to take advantage of the device’s dual screens.
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