Microsoft Surface Duo - An Early Look! 

This feels like the most practical foldable to me right now. Which type of foldy-boi do you like?

7:17 "you'll understand in a minute" 8:17 wow you are accurate.

I feel like it's reasonable to expect that as devices get larger screens like this we can just start using Bluetooth earbuds more often for calls.

Now Microsoft is going to quote you. ''It's an engineering marvel'' - Dave 2D

2:59 we've heard it, the true name of the device, the microsoft foldy boi.

Really impressed by this now. The thin-ness is the whole point, this is like a little journal. Beautiful design, stunning

I like when Dave talk about tiny details, like the consistent smoothness of the hinge movement

"It's designed to fold and close and be a true foldy boy" *microsoft marketing team wants to know your location*

I can definitely see this as a work tablet that can action as a phone when/if required. So many "remote" professionals (project managers, reps etc) are given iPads and whatnot to use when out of the office, but the offices all run Windows. This potentially has the opportunity to close that disconnect, and provide a seamless OS experience across the in-office and out-of-office workspaces. Colour me intrigued!

The Nintendo DS is my go to foldable with two screens 😂 Joking apart, I'm genuinely excited for the future of the Surface Duo and the devices alike to come

The LG in the corner - "Hey, I'm doing all that stuff already!"

Now I can text my wife and my girlfriend at the same time.

Imagine being in a call on one screen, and taking notes on the second screen, having the links to the topics of a document on the left, and the document on the right, a map of a game/hot keys...etc...and so on, it can be used in all the possible scenarios, very intuitive and interesting !

Dave : iTs an enginEEring marVel! Microsoft : ''it's an engineering marvel'' - Dave2D

0:23 "I sat on it a little bit before I made this video." It's fun getting to know Dave's reviewing process. :)

i like how the hinge is rigid in any angle and not limited to just 'fully open' and 'closed'. makes for better individual viewing angles

Got to say, this product feels like a paradigm shift. It's ironic that Microsoft is given plaudits for hardware rather than software in this era.

"foldy boy" yes, that's how I'm gonna call it from now on

Loved the review, you said exactly what i felt when i saw the DUO for the first time, This is something that talks to me in regards to productivity, this is a device i would use to its fullest. Thanks for the review, I subscribed after this review, looking forward to seeing your other content. Thank you.

Reminds of the phone in the movie “her”.

Wow I didn’t know anyone had a hands on of this device.

kudos to microsoft: most intersting phone in years - and it's foldable!

Microsoft is so underrated, I’ve fallen in love with the quality of their surface line products and appreciated their continued vision to push boundaries and redefine products. I’ve been looking to leave Apple for a long time, I think I finally found the right device.

For me it’s was the “software experience” of the microsoft courier that attracted me to it. using the 2 screens in a tightly woven unique way. I really haven’t seen much of that Wow factor in microsoft ads yet with this device. it’s more like, here’s a beautiful hardware concept of dual screens that had 10 years to mature the courier OS but it seems like it’s more like here’s either windows or android flavors- be happy

Is this, for the first time in history, when Dave got hands on a device before MK"Hi, i have been using this device for 2 weeks now."BHD?

Dave2D: A very nice looking one, but it's glass JerryRigEverything: Glass is glass, and glass breaks

I’d want the clamshell, more portable, reminds me of how cool it was to have a Motorola razor from 2004

I love the second one on your right. It's so much more practical for a regular user like me and i would think for a very active person.

Being a student, the microsoft seems the best usage especially when there is online classes where we don't need to hassle change screen or open other devices just to look at online notes while the class is on going

Dave: “Well I can’t weigh them individually “ JerryRigEverything : Hold my pry tool

Duo speaks most to me. Love that super thin multi functionality. I don't talk too often on the phone and mostly do video calls so not an issue. Excellent video thanks 🤙

The way surface design their hinges for their products ( surface book plus this ) is just so nice .

4:47 Let's face it, if you can afford the Duo then you will definitely be someone with good enough earbuds so you wouldn't even have the need to hold it like that for calls.

"I can't weigh them individually" Don't worry, Dave. Zack probably can do that.

No one given detailed review like you. You did amazing review.

Your hands on is the best one I’ve watched so far.

“The only issue with this phone is when you’re using it like a phone.”

"like any other glass based phone I think it'll age relatively nicely" Unless you drop it

Thanks for the review Dave. I am certainly looking forward to buying one of these as soon as they come out here in Bangkok...

I like the design of the mate x the most. Makes the most sense to me. No unnecessary cutout hole and on camera to use for both sides

I haven't looked forward to a phone release in many years, but this thing has caught my eye. I'm not fond of the glass build (like Dave said, surprised it's not magnesium) or the price, but damn this thing has potentional.

I like the way he puts the device's down unlike the others who throws them on the desk

I love how premium the hardware is, the white glass looks so nice

honestly I love the look of the duo. It's how I've imagined a folderable phone, though samsungs fold 2 does look good. I find this will match what I want, so will likely upgrade to it.

Honestly, this is what I would wish for the Note line: writing on those screen is not easy, gets tiring fast and you end up with long vertical strips of texts, which look bad on every pc or tablet. I am excited for the possibility of living the tablet home when I go to school and just bring the duo to jot down notes. That's the thing I'm waiting for the most. It would still be mad expensive and I can't afford it, but to know that there's a device out there that fits my need would be nice 😬

Me: the line isn't that ba-- Dave: You'd have to be a psychopath to want to watch things with a line in the middle.. Me: yea, like eww..

I have the LG G8X just because, as you said, better foldable that brings something new. And while it isn't good for a 1 handed operation, that's when I'm glad it will both flip over, and be detatchable for easier operations. And when you don't need the second screen.

I actually have the LG v60 with the screen accessory. I love it because for different reasons than most that wasn't a foldable phone. Multitasking was priority for me and the option to operate two apps on different screens makes things so much easier for me for the stuff I need to do. My main daily driver is my pixel XL. Love my pixel but the LG v60 dual screen helps me handle business

Wait for the second gen of this. The second gen is bound to have big improvements like how the Fold 2 improved from the Fold 1

Surface Duo is not a phone. Is a handheld computer with phone capabilities. Something like a 2020 version of Moleskine.

Love my LG v50 Thinq with its second screen, i think thats where "foldable" phones need to be, an accessory that can be used when needed....yes the middle bit can be worked on to be smaller but still

I think Dave's videos are extraordinary good. He lets me think about devices and perhaps even change my opinion completely. The surface duo seems a lot more interesting now.

Everybody: "Idk about these internals in 2020 and it's not really as innovative as the fold 2. Dave: "Vibe check"

This is the 3DS that would be now if Nintendo decided to continue that line😂

The z flip style foldable looks awesome

Yay!! Good Job watching Kurzesagt but I'd appreciate you showing the birdies in that video.

Dave2D: Gets prototype phone MKBHD: You dare use my own spells against me, potter!

I said it before and I'll say it again: Microsoft's approach to this is pretty important right now I think as it "forces" developers to make effective use of the extra screen real estate (and often more square aspect ratio) instead of just mindlessly making apps run awkwardly in fullscreen with UIs that don't work for these devices. Even without a seam, a "split" UI design is much more effective and user-friendly than a fullscreen app in a limiting aspect ratio as it allows for a better overview with easier navigation. Like seeing more details to items in a file browser, i.e more substantial previews and metadata, while still being able to keep browsing through the list without having to open files in fullscreen to see what they are, then realizing it was the wrong one, going back to the file list, and then clicking on the next file to possibly repeat the process. This is obviously just an example and this emphasis on multitasking, even within single apps (as wonderfully demonstrated by Daves "watching a video and reading comments" example in his "Let's talk about the Surface Duo" video), can increase the ease of use and effectiveness of mobile devices in many different ways. So with a product like the Surface Duo, Microsoft is creating the limitation of having to work with two halves, which will benefit folding devices in general in terms of usability, while simultaneously creating a more affordable form factor of folding devices (without expensive and delicate screens) early on to introduce this kind of UI design for others to adopt and let it mature before asking customers to pay $2,000 for a less than adequate and awkward software experience, designed for an entirely different form factor, on their new flashy folding device. It seems they have taken their time to think about this form factor and polish the software to where it can have a considerable impact, seeing how they have worked together with Google to make sure the API works well with their vision. Now before people yell at me: I am aware that Microsoft and user-friendly or ease of use don't always go that well together considering the inconsistent mess that Windows 10 (currently) is in many respects, but I think we can be fairly certain that the people working on Windows and their Surface Duo Software are largely different teams. Microsoft's better software could put pressure on other companies to increase their efforts to better optimize their software for these sort of devices or even adopt a similar UI design. Worst case scenario: The device flops, nobody takes notice of the clear advantages that this split/dual-screen UI design brings, and we only get minimal improvements to how these foldable devices use their screen real estate. Best case scenario: They establish a strong line of portable, small form factor productivity devices with decent hardware and excellent software for businesses, business people, or just people who want more functionality with a good user experience to get stuff done efficiently on the go with a device they can fit in their pocket. It is a gamble that, should it pay off, can strengthen the Surface brand and further establish it as a line of high quality, mobile productivity devices as well as broaden their spectrum to also cover small form factor devices and get into our pants as well, instead of just our backpacks and on our desks. And I must admit, I like what I've seen so far and am looking forward to how all of this unfolds :p

I like my LG V60, and if they can make the bezels super thin between the two screens, it would really be an even better contender. But I love how I can take my phone out to take it to the beach and have the smaller size and water resistance. Then I put it back in the case and have super multi tasking.

Awesome product already ordered it!!!

"Perfectly balanced ..." I commend Dave's restraint, to mantain focus, other YTers would've gone for the meme

I'm not seeing a breakthrough on any of the foldables but I think that Microsoft duo serves all new purpose and I like it.

Duo definitely has the lure for me. The work flow is key. And that form factor is exactly what is needed as a foldable.

Imagine reading a book, with all the page-folding animations, that'll feel really nice on this

I've been watching Dave for two years and this is the first time I heard he's Canadian. Bless my soul.

I do remember the days when I thought a person with two monitors were just showing off. now I keep a second monitor in my laptop bag and cannot even work without it. I think this duo is the start of something awesome! even if the displays were smaller the fact that there are 2 distinct displays for multitasking is going to be huge.

I own a small business and will be getting this to use as a mini computer/phone and the integration of the Surface Pen will be an awesome addition. It's a Surface device so you know they are going to improve it year after year, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

If app developers optimize their apps to use the Duo's two foldable screens properly, then this device has a lot of potential for productivity based work. I wouldn't use this as a Phone to make calls, but rather a portable device, that helps me to do things on the go such as, seeing Emails, use Microsoft 365 apps, and anything productive. Also the second screen can act as a Keyboard, thereby leaving the top screen for any sorts of work that you want to do. As far as the big gap in the middle, it isn't great to watch videos but, we can do things which needs more screen real-estate such as using Google Maps etc. A great form factor overall. And strong build quality, unlike other foldables where a finger nail or dust can ruin the device.

When you said “When you hold it in you hand” All I heard was Panos voice.

Thanks for your review

I would love to try the Duo the most. Seems the most exciting out of the current foldables.

Apple user here, feeling very confused that I’m looking at a Microsoft phone, running Android OS, and thinking that it’s a beautiful piece of kit.

I’m on the same page. I’d like to use this one over others. Just that I can’t get it here in Australia

Dave Lee: *talks about how the width won't be much of an issue* me: *looks at my tiny hands who already struggle with the average smartphone width*

Been watching a lot of videos on folding phones lately bc I'm thinking of getting one, but I had to subscribe when you said "a true foldy boi" 🤣🤣

7:40 - Even me a psychopath wouldn't feel comfortable watching content with a line right down the middle.

the right definition for "note book" not a small laptop that we called "note book"

Couldn't agree with you more. I have been obsessed with this idea since the phone was showcased last year. Gunna have to wait a couple of generations and hope the price comes down as well as for it to become available in Canada.

I have the LG G8X which was one of the original folding devices LG sent out and I also have the Z Flip. I played with the Surface today a little bit and seemed really nice. I am still waiting for the Z Fold 2 to announce because I have my eyes on that one.

My zoomer ass can't stop seeing the Surface Duo as a Nintendo DS

Finally, Microsoft managed to bring the „Courier“ Concept after 10 years to Life!

This instantly looks more appealing to me than the Fold or the Flip. Seems more refined, and I like the look.

Love the look of the duo. Can see future versions become more advance. Wish it was in Canada

The only thing that comes to my mind that i would use this for is as an electronic notebook with a stylus having like a wayy bigger storage than what you would get with a normal notebook and not having the hassle of having to go through with having multiple ones. And i never wanted to think of this as a phone. The notebook thing would be for a very particular set of people, but it sure as hell would be a hell of a flex if done right

honestly, i feel like this would be a cool e-reader

Going to be a beautiful thing to have for IT and PenTesting work!

I just agree with u DAve 100%. not sure if I want to have the Duo, but it has something that makes me want to use it.

With surface pen and note taking on one screen, media on the other, this gonna be legendary !

i still think Yota Phone, with an e-ink screen on the back, was the best idea there was. loved mine, truly practical.

I am very excited about this phone.

I am going to buy it. Super impressed with what Microsoft has done here. I usually don't fall for expensive gimmicks but this is something that is amazing for multi tasking which is difficult on phones because of small screen real estate. On this you can be actually watching a video and reading or texting on the other screen without compromise.

I’ll never look at the Microsoft Duo as a phone. I’d just call it a foldable tablet with a sim.

I'm in love with surface duo. I cant imagine having galaxy fold and being worried all the time about the plastic screen scratches or dents... But surface duo - for email, calendar, teams meetings and office work in general - wow :)

So happy to see Microsoft doing a great job at building something. We need competition!

The excitement in his voice for this device. :D

“Physical hardware” - Dave2D

Thought u couldn't get any better Dave, u did my friend u did... I actually am compelled by this video to buy a Surface Duo when its released to us regular folks

I just realized that tent mode would be a really fun 1 v 1 game mode. Like when you're playing against the person in front of you! It can start with simple ones like Chess or Battleship. (maybe after the pandemic)

Awesome video. I agree with your conclusions.

Dave: "I sat on it for a little bit." Clearly, because it looks like a New Nintendo 3ds xl that was sat on.