Surface Duo 2 - It's really quite GOOD now! 

Good six-month review! The Duo two is excellent, and it does require mental adaptation similar to any new form factor. I hope MS doesn't lose interest as it does so often (Windows Phone, Band, Cortana, live tiles, etc.). Their history of product dereliction is my greatest hurdle to recommending Microsoft.

Great 6 month review! I appreciated your comments regarding it as two screen device by saying it was a phone with a second screen. On the camera, it does have a unique way of giving you feedback on the pictures you take and I like holding it in vertical mode, holding the lower part and viewing in the upper part. Very useful in taking wide angle and gives a solid feel for holding it. However, many of us will use Gcam for lower light pictures, which has better low light handling. It gives the best of both worlds by being able to choose the camera software for what you are trying to take a picture of. It also proves the camera is good hardware, MS just needs to work harder on the low light handling. Again, thanks for really good review. 👍

Just got my Duo 2 a week ago and it's brilliant! Ideal for my work, ebooks and RU-vid ! Battery life seems unpredictable but then I use video heavy apps like Teams a lot. Definitely more intuitive than the Fold 3 when you just want your 2 apps side by side. Miss the wireless charging but have a fast wired charger that rocks.

Nice honest review Zach, I have the duo 1st gen and luv it with all its quirks cos the idea is just brilliant and this is why Microsoft stands apart from other oem’s in my humble opinion…

What a great 6 month review! Wonderful job explaining the purpose of the device! You covered pretty much most of the aspects and concerns I have with it and some I hadn't thought of. I appreciate the form factor and purpose of the Duo lineup, which makes it far more unlikely I will use any other device, be it slate or folding, as a daily driver.

I was pleasantly surprised with the camera, I use the normal camera food dailight photos but use gcam for low light photos with great results.

Great review, Zack! I had the OG SD1 and loved the second screen but hated the bugs, lack of case options and the screen span gap. I still can't get over that one and the lack of cases out there but I'm getting closer.

Good stuff, well done dude.

I use the second screen of my sd2 80 or 90% of the time. Love this device and even I often span to both screens, especially when on a website, or RU-vid or reading anything.

❤️❤️❤️❤️ seeing zac probably in all his glory for the first time!!! Love the new format windows central team well done!!!

I wish I had the Microsoft Duo 6-7 years ago 😏 My iPhone and iPad combo satisfies all my needs in 2023⏩

Thank you very much! I have my surface duo 2 since the release and I'm really happy with it, but as you say, I use it as a mini computer/Telephone with a second screen. and I haven't just adopted, I'm more creative and have an awesome workflow since than. I'm taking a lot of photos and guess what, I'm impressed. But not when you are using the standard photo app from Microsoft. But I've installed one of the latest gcam versions and wow, this is an improvement. even in low light. So please Microsoft, update your app. we know you are capable to do that, you've shown us with windows phone. And one more thing. I'm using the pen cover and I'm using my Duo 2 a lot and I've no issues with battery life. Maybe it's just me, but I didn't feel any difference with, or without the cover. I must confess, I really fell in love with that phone and I hope Microsoft shows this device even more love,cause it's really great and still there are many things that can even get better. Anyone who is thinking of getting one. I recommend it.

About 6 months later for me... my hinges aren't "grindy" as you say, but they're totally fine. I totally agree that the Duo is a phone with a second screen, as opposed to a foldable tablet. BUT my cautionary tale: I did manage to scratch the screen at the beach by closing it when some grains of sand that I didn't notice were floating on the suface. Since then I have some key scrapes from being in my pocket. It's nothing major, but this Gorilla Glass 5 (or whatever) isn't completely foolproof.

I picked up the Duo 2 on sale and it's been great. I can do so much more than on a single screen- truly transformative. Some bugs remain, though minor, however. What I think is most important is Android 12L release coming out this year and will bring enhancements to apps and workflow for tablet and split screen devices.

I saw it at best buy and I like it. I like the 2 screens. I just wanted thinner bezels

The surface duo 2 is $500 off right now, just placed my order for one and im super hyped. This video really helped me get in the mood and it seems like a perfect phone for me. One thing though, when you said that the pen charging case like halved the screen on time what did you mean, does that mean that if i have the pen magnetically attached to my phone it will only last half as long or am i missing something?

Honesty I was sold on the concept from day one. Not having to worry about a soft screen and the ability to properly multitask without compromising or it being an overly finicky process is a win. The only hope now is MSFT continues developing the concept with further iterations, it feels like they're a solid camera (and maybe a usabale mini notification screen) away!

Would love to hear your experience with heating? I bought the device at the time of release and noticed overheating especially when using maps or the camera( even for a short time!)

This was epic. I always thought up to the part "welcome back to another video" was a prerecorded and recycled opening. I was surprised to see it live now with the always same intonation. :) I guess it comes now with muscle memory.

I just got a SD2, having returned one one day after launch because it was simply unusable. Very happy with it now. But also because I got a smartwatch to go with it, to see notifications without having the whip out "the beast" every time! Only thing about the smart watch is that it is expensive and bulky and has poor battery life, also because it has all kinds of fitness stuff and measuring equipment that comes with that. So - instead of an outside screen to check notifications on a SD3, Microsoft should offer a cheap, pretty, long lasting smartwatch without all the fitness crap with WearOS as a companion device!

Considering buying one and moving from Samsung. Have watched a bunch of reviews but NONE show how to take a phone call on it. Weird that it became secundary in a PHONE.

Thank you for doing this. I just read your article today so it's nice to see this as well.

I value your review of this device. The big reviewers such as MKBHD don't seem to understand that this is not meant to compete with foldables. It is 2 separate screens. Which is what I want. I had the first one, zte axon foldable. I loved it. I am a public speaker in foreign languages I want to give my discourses on one screen and see other things on the second screen. I do not want one screen folded out. I plan on getting this device once I get some money. But you seem to be using it the exact same way I plan to use it. I hope they have enough sales to continue making and supporting it.

Microsoft can add a double tap to answer a call on speaker when the device is closed. Like some Android devices and iPhones' do. Tap the back and perform an action.

I had to send my duo 2 in because of a dead pixel. I got my wife a iphone13 pro max and I used it for a month. I was testing to see if I would make the switch. the cool factor faded away. I was extremely happy to get my phone back. I couldn't deal with having one screen.

Also if u add your one account to Google photos it then takes all your phones taken into that account was a very important for me as I have 10 years of photos with that

I have a fold 4 and a duo 2 and Im not able to stick with duo 2 because the color are so much better on fold 4 and mic quality too

Hay Zak yea mine makes that same grindy bumpy feeling hard to describe but not smooth as it was originally. Love the device overall would not want to go back to a single screen phone that's for sure.

I really hope this phone continues to exist when I upgrade my phone in a couple of years.

Superb. Fantastic review. Love mine but I do have some issues. First just dont get those screen-on times you get.......In my case 2 to 3 hours and that's it at the end of the day......... And I have far more bugs than my Duo. For instance, almost always problems with the screens when folding the device...... Actually, after the latest updates my Duo works better, more fluent and almost without any issues than my Duo 2........ A bit frustrating, maybe I will have to perform a factory reset.

I finally broke down and ordered the Surface Duo 2 the other day now that its $999. I'm very excited to get this and try it out!

Great review! I need a business line so I will get the Surface Duo 2.

Great 6 month update, thanks. I'm glad you mentioned the glance bar, I was curious if MS would do anything else with it. It's a shame they haven't. Hmmm... I think the Samsung fold makes more sense right now unfortunately

For someone reviewing a phone it seems funny you never mentioned the main factor what is the call quality like?

Intro looks like OSFirstTimer

I get your comment on the fold 4 regarding multitasking and opening more than one apps. But wait, of you want to open more than 2 apps on the Duo, how do you do that??? That's when you'll be doing one step more than on the fold ;) By the way, the new fold 4 runs Android 12L which changes that anyway...

I still prefer SD first gen just because the camera bump is a big turn off for me, and the curve screen is not appealing to me

"It's 2022 and I am not taking phone calls either" - says it all with these young pups...🙄 it's a phone it makes and receives calls. Anyway the Duo 2 is a great device designed for dual aspect multitasking as you mentioned. You hit it right on the head by saying not to treat as a tablet 👍

why is your audio recording level so low, Mr. Techie?

How do you know that a tech person isn't from the United States? They don't text people in 2022 and use internet-based chat apps instead.

I recently seen people using the spanning feature to watch videos and I started to do it just to see what it was like. While I don't mind the gap anymore I still think it'd be better without it. It's doable but it's not ideal.

Awesome review, appreciated as ALWAYS, kindest regards, Richard U.K

does it handle Filmic Pro, Ps Camera, Lightroom Camera, or other 3rd part camera apps (or the other way around)?

Wish they would add a front screen

Does it allow to run all apps. I use to have a Microsoft phone a few years back and it wouldnt let me use snapchat and a few other apps that I could use with a Samsung phone

As a owner of the Fold 3, I was thinking of getting this as my backup phone/device. Right now it's getting a little cheaper on EBay, so maybe I'll get this if it goes down a little more in price.

HI Brother, How are you? I am looking for the Duo2 to buy from the day when it got launched, but not avaiable in India, any suggestion if there is any website where i can buy from India? Thank you.

Dual screen? Did we forget about all the LG phones that had a second screen? V60?

If multi tasking to you is things like triaging email whilst referencing calendar then its for you. If to you it's texting whilst you pee then it's not

I think you forgor the ZTE Axon M

Hi does anyone have issues with bluetooth audio cutting out I seem to be having issues when my phone is in my duo 2 is in my pocket and walking outside

I'll wait a year and buy a duo 3 for sure, since nowadays people don't really change their phone after 3 years I have to guarantee that when surface duo is not in a test stage. Overall well done microsoft, I really like the size of this passport phone and the dual functionality I was expecting blackberry produce something like this but microsoft did it and it turned out so well. Duo 3! I'll wait! Also it's a phone with very high price, I have to pay for a perfect one at least make the phone last for 3 years, clearly duo 2 has problems and need to improve, please don't stop developing it, I really really like this concept, it's close to perfection!

I left the windows after 20 years - because of the inefficient chipsets and battery life/performance for money - to m1 macbook air. I was a windows +android guy. Today my setup is: basic macbook air m1 + ipad mini 6 wifi 64gb + old android phone(s8) for phone calls, very simple quick tasks and modem for other devices. (Additionally: miband 6 for notifications + jabra elite 75t with simultaneous 2 device connection) PS: All my devices use type-c, I carry only my macbook adapter, one cable(never used to charge past 1 year). Now today, I am still following microsoft vision, but waiting for snapdragon + intel/amd progress. As a result, I am here in this video. But, I am really happy with my macbook air m1. I am mostly using it as a chromebook with lots of PWAs, I am not locked in to apple ecosystem, I am choosing my apps and companion devieces wisely. Also, I am really happy with my ipad mini 6 as a companion device to my macbook with universal control(mouse keyboard). Also I am using it as a phone replacement -vertically-%85 of the time I am using Ipad mini. My only missing app is native whatsapp (come on facebook). But I find myself sometimes dreaming of to fold ipad mini, and get rid of the phone in a single device. :) When the day comes: snapdragon / intel / amd / windows /android efficiency + performance on battery + good build quality, trackpad, screen, speakers I will definitely return to my good old windows + android freedom days.

I had purchased duo and had to return it because it was very bad with Bluetooth and basically connectivity etc. I honestly have reconsidering it with the new version, what is the concensus with the duo 2 community?

I'll start off by saying this phone is crack for me... I can NOT ever go back to a "traditional" crap brick phone... I had a Duo 1 which despite not being a fun ownership software and hardware wise I did a trade-in for a Duo 2 and haven't looked back since. This phone is not only my daily it would be my exclusive device if I didn't have specific computing needs that the Duo can't fulfill. I recently took a flight across the country and it was an awesome experience. Kinda funny you've pointed out the whole answering the phone nightmare as I've never run into that problem. Nor has not having a out screen been an issue. For the record I'm one of those that technically could watch a video spanned and not have a problem with it, but too busy being in "Nintendo DS" Mode doing two things at once. I'm not sure I could sell anyone on this phone unless they had similar habits as me. I'm probably the Duo's exact audience and unfortunately it's a minority.

Nice review, it covered everything.

great video just use a wet wipe to clean your hinges

has anyone done some decent digital art on this device? id be very interested to see more of this sort aspect critiqued on the device.

damn zac has the surface studio

uh the surface duo isnt the only dual screen device...

Zack, is there still such thing as peak mode.

I really enjoy watching full screen videos. Its odd I guess that it does not bother me at all.

Seems to have slowed down when I open it

So 70% of the time the second screen is useless to you, and you complain that 30% of the time you'd have to think about how to set up multiwindow vs a foldable?

Please tell micosoft to release the duo in south africa. At the moment it's selling $2390.63 by some stupid company

Why could Microsoft allow a Microsoft Movies and TV app on here and I mean like the 1 that is available on Xbox and PC as an exclusive to the Duo and Duo 2, A different app from Movies Anywhere.

They just cannot make a Windows Phone Keyboard on Android, right? I miss it so much.

Im still using Microsoft Lumia 950 XL but i had to switch to Surface Duo. I have money for new SD1 but should I buy it now or wait for more money and buy SD2?

Great vid, Zac. Thank you.

Great video, but now I'm sitting here wondering who am I?

Wish there was a device like this that ran iOS

Duo 2 is my daily driver but I still think the Duo 1 has a better design. Thinner, lighter, and more ergonomic. And you could put it in a pocket folded all the way open, if you wanted, since it folds flat. I still like all the Duo 2 hardware improvements, but I think the camera bump was too much of a compromise of the original vision. Side note: My favorite Duo/Duo2 feature no one talks about is dragging and dropping across screens. Comes in handy when using OneNote while multitasking.

Thank you!

Microsoft needs to bring back it's OS was one of the best and very smooth.

The number of things that are only "fine" or "acceptable" are not that encouraging for a device this expensive

It is tho imho. I didn't baby it but never dropped it. The USB port plastic was cracked after 2 months

How is the audio quality on this device?

Duo 2 needs a next gen BAND companion

Great review, thank you. I was put off by the camera bump, thought it was a terrible design decision and the main reason I didn't get one, and given the performance of the camera, it hardly seems worth having. Fingers crossed for a better solution for Duo 3 ... or maybe I'll just get the original Duo :)

Coming from a lg g8x being able to watch RU-vid and do other things at the same time

Avery Black though

I love the updates on the duo 2 but for me I would rather see the camera on the inside like on the duo 1. This for me is the reason I'm sticking with the Duo 1 and hoping the 3 will go back to the internal cameras on a better quality than the 1st. That Said I think now the latest updates are out and the price on both phones which everyone you pickup will be woth the price.

Why would any rational pay 2 to 3 time more for the Duo 2 when you can get the OG Duo for $400-$500?

Surface duo 2 is now 999.99 dollars

Supra manual

volume is very low in this video compared to every thing else i've watched. volume is the same. :/

I think saying "it's a phone with a second screen if you need it" is the perfect description of how the philosophy should be. The second screen should always be additional not a primary, if it's a primary they compete which leads to confusion. Confusion for the developer and confusion for the user.

No microSD card slot, no thanks.

I'm going to wait for the 3rd one and see Microsoft fix the bezels and the OS look! The OS just looks like 2010.

please stop calling the duo a fold it's not a folding phone its a duo screen phone the duo is great as a tablet but not great as a phone I wouldn't buy the duo if it was 50 dollars. the duo can't have multiple windows open like the fold thats what makes the fold the best multi tasking phone ever then the duo is second.

I find it hilarious how many Duo 2 users are in the comments. Feels like if you're watching a review of a product you already own, you're probably looking for validation outside of your own mind.

Big fan of Zac, he's the best out there, but he always looks so dry.

The grinding hinge is unacceptable. I have had three Duo2s. Every single one began grinding within one to three weeks. I'm sending it back AGAIN for a fourth device now. I am sick of it. I don't expect to pay $2k for a device that grinds to the point where you feel and hear it every time I open it. Not acceptable.

Stop trying to explain it to people. Those who claim not to "get it" don't want to get it. And they're the same ones who will absolutely "get it" when apple copies the duo. FWIW the duo 2 launching to less praise than the original duo is likely directly related to MS inviting all those lame-ass youtube "influencers" to sit in the front row when the duo was first launched.

The hardware review is bullshit.. Mine dropped the back glass cracked and I have been having charging problems since.. The Cracked glass stuck to the protector then later peeled off..

Zac's setup is the least inspiring thing I've ever seen. He's shared it on the Surface subreddit before. Not a single pop of color. No art work on the walls. It's like a visit to the doctor.

Zack deleted my awesome 5 mo report...censored and vanished why? My answer its great, bad to censor Zack you are not the only expert user. Grindy is bs . I absolutely hate youtubers that think they know more than actual users. Bad to censor Zack. What is it with RU-vidrs thinking they can delete responses to their video , are you that fragile?

Old concept with even more bugs. Bezels that huge on a device in 2022? Only old heads with limited tech savvy actually believe this is new tech.