Microsoft recently announced its successor, the Surface Duo 2, capping off months of rumors and introducing the device alongside other Microsoft devices like the Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, and a bevy of new devices designed to take advantage of Windows 11.
The Windows maker’s new Android-based smartphone starts at $1,499.99 and launches on October 20th in multiple configurations. It retains the hinged design of its predecessor — only this time, it comes equipped with a more thought-out camera system, 5G support, and a modern processor that brings it more in line with flagships from Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. And while it’s not a pure foldable in the traditional sense — it’s outfitted with two screens, not one — it’s not in a class of its own, either. Point fingers to the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
The Fold 3 recently set the bar for what foldable phones could achieve, bringing with it better multitasking, a water-resistant build, and a refined display that’s a notable step up from the original model released in 2019. But is Samsung’s premium foldable a match for the forthcoming Duo 2? After all, Samsung’s foldable is markedly different from Microsoft’s when it comes to design.
Samsung’s Galaxy Fold 3 features a smaller, 6.2-inch display that covers the entire front of the device. It also contains a flexible, 7.6-inch OLED on the inside, which unfurls as you open the phone with the aid of an aluminum hinge. There’s still a small gap between the two sides when closed, however, which is visible on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 as well. The latter phone — an entirely different device from the Fold 3 we’re comparing here — also features a foldable display.
The Duo 2 doesn’t rely on a flexible display. Like its predecessor, it uses two separate, 5.8-inch OLED panels that amount to 8.3 inches when viewed together, with a large bezel running between them. The hinge connecting the two displays allows you to fold the phone in half with the displays on the outside so you can use the device one-handed, though the phone’s large camera bump means they’ll never close completely.
Microsoft Surface Duo 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
| Specification | Microsoft Surface Duo 2 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Main screen size | Dual 5.8-inch OLEDs (8.3-inch when viewed together) | Single 7.6-inch OLED |
| Main screen resolution | 2688 x 1892, 401 ppi | 2208 x 1768, 374 ppi |
| Cover screen size | N/A | 6.2-inch OLED |
| Cover screen resolution | N/A | 2268 x 832, 387 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB |
| Battery capacity | 4449mAh | 4400mAh |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| Rear camera | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.4µm (main),16MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm (ultra-wide), 12MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm (telephoto) | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.8μm (main), 12MP, f/2.2, 1.2μm (ultra-wide), 12MP, f/2.4, 1.0μm (telephoto) |
| Front camera | 12MP | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22μm (cover), 4MP, f1/8, 2.0μm (main) |
| Video | HDR,1080p and 4K video recording at 30 fps and 60 fps, slow motion video at 120 or 240fps | HDR, 1080p and 4K video recording at 30 fps and 60 fps, slow motion 1080p video support at 240 fps, super slow-mo 720p video support at 960 fps, hyperlapse 4K video support at 30fps |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions (open) | 145.2 x 184.5 mm | 158.2 x 128.1 mm |
| Dimensions (closed) | 145.2 x 92.1 mm | 158.2 x 67.1 mm |
| Thickness (open) | 5.5 mm | 6.4 mm |
| Thickness (closed) | 11 mm | 16 mm |
| Weight | 284g | 271g |
| Water resistance | IPX1 | IPX8 |
| Wireless charging? | No | Yes |
| Fast charging? | Yes | Yes |
| Ports | USB-C charging port | USB-C charging port |
| 5G support | mmWave and sub-6GHz | mmWave and sub-6GHz |
| NFC? | Yes | Yes |
| Stylus support | Surface Pen, Surface Slim Pen, Surface Slim Pen 2 | S Pen Fold Edition |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint scanner | Fingerprint scanner |
| Starting price | $1,499 | $1,799 |
On the surface, Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 shows a lot of promise, particularly when compared to its predecessor. It has a modern, high-end processor and upgraded camera system, along with a bigger battery, larger displays, and 5G support. These are welcome upgrades, but we won’t have a concrete idea as to how well they perform until we can do an in-depth review. There’s also the question of longevity and support — will Microsoft truly update the Duo 2 in a timely fashion, or will it go the way of the Duo and only receive the occasional software patch and security update?
The Galaxy Z Fold 3, meanwhile, is the best foldable you can buy right now. The base configuration of the Fold 3 is $300 more than the starting price of the Duo 2, but it comes equipped with similar specs, along with a 120Hz display, wireless charging, and waterproof, IPX8-rated design. The latter two features are now more of the norm than the exception, and it’s a shame Microsoft didn’t incorporate either with the Duo 2. Still, if you see no need for a display with a higher refresh rate or any of the aforementioned perks that come with the Fold 3, Microsoft’s second-gen foldable might be worth the wait.
