Microsoft Surface Duo Unboxed – What To Know About Device

Microsoft fans from all over are waiting for the company's return to the smartphone race and its first entry into the foldable category: the new Surface Duo.

Thankfully, it won't be long before the device arrives in the market – and this is because the company already sent review units to some tech reviewers. Here's what to know about the new device.

It's not the usual smartphone

While other foldables such as Samsung's Galaxy Fold and Huawei's Mate X both feel like smartphones with extra features, the new Surface Duo feels like a totally different device.

“[Microsoft Surface head Panos] Panay described it more than once as a smaller Surface, not necessarily an Android phone, and looking at it I can totally understand where he's coming from,” Android Central, which was sent “one of the first 50 devices” Microsoft produced, said.

Images shown via Android Central and TechCrunch, which also received a review unit, reveal that the Surface Duo indeed looks more like a smaller Surface Book. Some might even mistake it for a laptop when the camera is zoomed in.

When folded and held in hand, however, it looks like the back side of a small, premium but camera-less tablet.

It's designed for productivity

While other foldables are obviously designed to look stunning, they tend to suffer from one major flaw: an unsightly display crease. The space behind the foldable display also tends to be an area where dirt and debris can enter, eventually causing damage.

The Surface Duo does away with this issue by using two separate but connected displays. There might be a gap in the middle, but there's no crease and no risk of debris causing some problems. The two displays also allow the hinge to be infinitely adjusted, allowing the device to be propped up to stand like a book, a laptop, or even in tent mode.

The thick bezels at the top and bottom sides of the screens give users ample space to hold the device comfortably so they can do what they need to do with it.

It has a premium feel

Microsoft placed a $1,400 price tag on the base Surface Duo, but its premium feel and construction seem to justify the price. The device also comes with a pair of Surface Earbuds, an 18W charger, a USB-C to USB-C cable and a bumper case designed to protect the handset.

That said, the reviewers weren't able to showcase how the device functions, which means fans still don't know if the user experience is worth the cost.