Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Microsoft Surface Duo is a pleasant surprise for tech! If you have an Android phone, this phone makes you think you have a very high end device. It's familiar but new. It's a fantastic experience! It's a beautiful device and holding it in your hands is definitely something I'd recommend even if you're not looking to buy right away. This device is very innovative and is a game changer. It's not the Samsung Z Fold 2, it's two screens held together by a beautifully engineered hinge. The Surface Duo is awesome but it isn't perfect. Keep in mind that this is generation one of this product, bugs are apparent in the software but updates have and will be posted through it's life cycle. The camera is decent, not great. The speaker is mono, but doesn't sound bad (just leaves more to be desired). I bought the Duo and 3-4 weeks in... I'm pumped to be using it as my daily. It's been extremely cool to own. 4/5 stars.

I have been waiting for the Surface DUO to come out since Microsoft first teased it at one of their events. I was crushed when all of the early reviews said to avoid it. Luckily, I decided to see for myself it was as bad as they were reporting. To my surprise, it wasn't near as buggy as they described thanks to an update when you first boot up the phone. This device is by far the best hardware I have ever owned. It feels very premium and is light enough that I don't realize how long I've been holding it. And unlike the LG G8x, the second screen is very functional. It's wonderful being able to flick apps from one screen to another. And spanning a browser accross both screens is a great way to surf the web. Another cool feature is the ability to open two instances of the edge browser. Yup, you can view two websites at the same time. It's a real productivity machine if that's what you are looking for. In all fairness to the early reviews, they are correct when they describe the camera. To me, it's like shooting photos with my Surface Pro. The photo is usable, just not as good as some of the Samsung phones. But for me, my phone is not my go to camera. And it's unknown if Microsoft and Google will be able to fix the issues with the phone with a software update. That would be another pleasant surprise if they do. The duel screens and the rest of the hardware more than make up for any limitations of the camera. Also, it's not as big/wide as reviewers suggest. Yes, it's wider than other phones but I like the extra real-estate. And it fits comfortably in my pocket. I have no regret with this purchase or any other Surface device I have purchased in the past.

This Is The Form Factory To Die For. No Foldable Is Better Than The Surface Duo. With That Said. If Your Looking To Multitask This Is It. However, Android Is The Duo Edged Sword. Play Store Has Apps Which Means Default Apps From Microsoft And Google Are There. Two Browsers, Two Calendars, And So Forth. Those Duplicated Apps Take Up Memory. So This Is The Traditional AOSP Problems All OEM Haves. It’s Really Love Hate Relationship, Xbox/Gamepass, Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Are All Great If You Pay For The Services. Insurance Is $200 Via Microsoft Unless You Go With T-Mobile BYOD Insurance At $18/mo. But My Honest Belief Is This Is A Form Factory, Product Line, Brand And Item I MUST Have. The Camera Isn’t That Bad Either, Adjust To HDR And Enjoy. Last But Not Least, If You Used A Motorola Two Way Pager, P935, T900 Or Accompli 009 Nothing Beats A Full Keyboard/Gamepad On Your Second Screen. A Large Bright Touch Screen Keyboard Is Truly Great For Input. Use Widgets, Enlarge The Font And Indulge.

Nice size phone better then a iPhone or any phone Two screen You can do 2 or more things at one time Watch movies without holding it Good for being on the phone and taking notes Or taking a class and taking notes If you want to spend alot on a phone I would advise you to get this one You would be so happy

I ended up pre-ordering this directly through Microsoft. I must say after about 12 hours of heavy usage (and getting through a couple early software bugs) that the Surface Duo is something I just can't put down! I'll start off the bat and say that initially, the phone was very buggy however one firmware update, play store updates, and a device restart later the Surface Duo pretty much behaved as it should of out of the box! There are the occasional quirks with gesture navigation that come up I'm assuming due to the two screen and it not being baked into Android 10 (support will be better with Android 11) - however, those are infrequent and not that much of a detriment. My overall impressions are that Microsoft has nailed the hardware design out of the park - the hinge is so satisfying and it really is a joy to hold and use. The software side definitely needs some bug fixing and improvements but as it is right now it's perfectly fine and usable (after doing all those initial updates) - once you start using two screens - especially the way Microsoft has implemented it - it is really hard to go back to a single screen device. Chrome got an update so it stops flickering on the Duo - however, I ended up migrating my Chrome Profile on my desktop into Edge and started using that on the Duo with Edge sync enabled. Edge has better optimization in span mode (display across both screens) so I started to use that - and it's basically Chrome. You do need to start getting accustomed to new workflows with the screen environment. For example, you can open two separate instances of Edge which is nice as well, and have one opened on each screen with its own set of tabs. Recent apps will show the recent apps open on that screen. You can have OneNote open on one screen while watching a Youtube video on another and take notes with a Surface Pen. Some people do complain about the bezels but these help for the gesture controls and holding the device - while using the device you don't really notice it once you are immersed. Overall I will say the Pros of this device outweigh the Cons. Pros : - Two Screens! - That Hinge! Different Postures - Compose Mode! - Multitasking ease - two apps at once - Battery life is optimized and lasts a full day. - 3 years of updates guaranteed from Microsoft Negatives : - Price is high - I feel if this was priced around $999 at the time of release it would be a better buy - however, if you have a trade-in take advantage of trade-in bonuses (I did)! - Software is still a little buggy and needs patching - mainly in gestures and device rotation - doesn't occur all the time so its not that bad, but when it happens it can be annoying to many users - The camera is average. Not bad. Not great. The software could improve it. Low light photos = not happening :) Also the camera app needs fixing on the rotate feature - it works most times but others it doesn't. - Lack of modern flagship features - but not sure this matters much to most users looking at this device - NFC, Wireless Charging, 5G, etc,. Tip for any prospective buyers: check the r/surfaceduo/ reddit for lots of tips and tricks and help from other Surface Duo users. Enjoy!

To say I’m disappointed is an understatement, not just from device issues but with Microsoft customer service. I picked up the Duo on launch day after preordering it a week prior (even though I was told to hold off for the second gen by a Microsoft employee). The first 48 hours were great, in fact I loved using it but that’s when the problems started, as time went on the right side screen progressively heated up worse and worse. The software was fully updated, no hidden running apps in the background or anything like that (major Note 7 flashbacks). At one point it got so hot when I picked it up, it burned my fingers causing me to drop it back on the desk causing the back to crack, of course hitting a spot that the bumper doesn’t cover. Being dropped less than an inch.... cracking the Gorilla glass is also a major concern..... no this is not the end of the story. I reached out to Microsoft this past Monday and I will say that the rep I spoke to that day really made me feel something would actually be taken care off and well I was wrong. I was told the he would personally reach out to me no later than 24hours... well 48 hour later still no call. I called back and re-explained the situation told not to worry they will get this figured out for me and would call me back in 30 mins. Two hours later still no call, I reached out again, the automated system said the wait time would be 5-10min but could choose to leave my number and they would call me once my spot came up in cue, so I chose to do so. 45 minutes later still no call, so I decided to call back and just wait instead since the estimated wait time was still 5 to 10 minutes. After being on hold for another hour I hung up (this was around 7pm). Then to top it off I received a call back at 11pm from a computer saying that Microsoft apologized that they could not get to my call and to try again tomorrow. Which brings us to today. I called again spoke to a representative that I had to re-explain the issues, told the same old we will get back to you reassurance... sad thing is I still want the device as I truly liked it but this whole experience has soured Microsoft in my eyes. Save the head ache for yourself. If you have the funds you may want to look elsewhere for a foldable. I am still hoping that Microsoft will make this right but that faith is slowly fading

Love it, best phone I've ever had. Move over iPhone.

I am on my third Duo phone in 2 months. Got the new one on June 2 and wanted to trade it in still factory sealed. Best Buy won't even accept it for trade-in. The screen begins to flash green after a couple of weeks. So I'm back to my old phone and stuck with a factory sealed $1000 paperweight. I'm very confident Best Buy isn't accepting them for trade-in because of that defect. I'd avoid at all costs.

Had this for about a month and already right screen is flickering green non stop. I can’t return it and Microsoft is impossible to get ahold of for warranty replacement. The product is beautiful but complete trash and waste of money. Don’t recommend to anyone. Read online alot of people going through hardware issues with screen like me and no options to repair or replace it

The surface duo is very unique to hold, it has that premium device feel that many devices today lack. I've spent two days with this device now and here's everything I learned. The big test, apps. For me Twitter, telegram, Instagram, YouTube, and discord are a huge part of everyone's, and my personal day to day routine. The duo can run two apps side by side or stacked depending on the orientation it's in. There's a small annoying bug with the keyboard as it likes to pop up when your in stacked mode and scrolling during a YouTube video. This was present in the demo model and is present in my own Duo. Other social media platforms run very nice, Twitter, telegram and discord look normal in both orientations on each of the 5.6 inch displays. Instagram isn't optomized at this point in time but it does run on the device. The 5.6 inch displays have one flaw. No high refresh rate. You can tell they jitter when you scroll but it's not horrible. It's actually livable, we will have to wait and see what gaming is like with this device on September 15th of this year. Screen sync when scrolling using full screen mode (spanning one app between both screens (my test was with edge)) is mediocre at best but is fixable with proper updates, it's a software thing. During their conference in August they talked about how each screen is dynamically synced to match frame for frame with no jittering or distortion. Sadly this isn't the case, there's a lag when flick scrolling. It's very noticible but the screens do align with one another pixel wise. I doubt this is my unit only, as it is present in the demo models in our store. Sadly it's biggest flaw is the camera... It lacks definition and quality that my current phone, a note 9, packs. It has some qualities to it but is more representative of.... A Webcam. Video is jittery, and the shutter lag is abysmal. Possibly fixable with software. The colors and overall definition of the camera are also very dull and reminiscent of older phone tech. A miss but not this devices focus. Sound quality via Bluetooth is spot on, it's clean, crisp and doesn't have lag. Like most modern phones and some tablet devices there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. Using a usbc to 3.5mm headphone jack is possible however, and it also has no lag and is very crisp and clear audio. This accessory is not included so, if you want to use your favorite corded headphones on this, your going to need to buy this separately. Audio from the speaker is ok, you won't be jamming out to music using internal speaker. Another thing to note here is its slightly on the quiet side with most of its alerts, I found that after fiddling with some settings I could get the speaker to pump out audible alerts. Careful choosing of your tones is a huge thing too, there are many quiet ring tones and alert tones in this. Battery life destroys both my note 9 and older surface pro 4 in just three hours of use. I spent all day with this in my hands, opened many apps and downloaded all my apps and updated the device out of the box at 50%. It took five full hours to bring the battery to 12%, this isn't doable with what I did on any of my current devices. Even now it's sitting at 85% after further use. Design and accessories. Included in the box is the longest USBC to USBC cable ever, along with a "rapid" charging power brick which gets this from 12% to 100% in just under 40 minutes. I can't say I've had a fast charging device plug in and charge that quickly before. Sadly though we lack wireless charging. As for its other accessories you get a bumper which I put in twice and removed it twice. It takes away from the feel for me, giving it a duller edge yes but doesn't alow it to fold flat, so for me Im keeping it off and waiting for a case to become available. What is this devices purpose? Productivity. It is designed to bring the feeling of a Surface into the palm of your hands. It has its bugs and quirks yes, these can be fixed with updates but, if your looking for a device to get more done with, then give this a shot! Last but not least it's 4g lte no 5g. So in all I enjoy the Surface Duo for what it is now and what it will become. It's a keeper for me!

If you're looking for a great camera, or a multi lens option, this device will not work for you. If youre looking for the best dynamic sound from onboard speakers, this device won't meet your needs. If you're a spec hound and must have the latest and greatest then this device will disappoint you "on paper". So if you fall into one of those categories then I suggest not wasting any more of your time and looking else where. If the things I mentioned are negligible, then this device could def be worth your time and money. I preordered mine from best buy and have been using it as my daily driver since launch, here's my breakdown. Camera: In poor conditions (lighting) its horrible, In average conditions its bad/passable, In optimal conditions it can be average/good. Honestly the camera can take really nice photos but they do require a bit more work. The average picture by the average consumer will look bad to average. However someone who knows good lighting and angles could get a good shot with great conditions, also a touch up in snapseed from google will clean up the pictures quite a bit. Battery: Given the specs and expectations its been quite surprising to say the least. On paper it shouldn't be able to power two screens and give you all day battery life, but thats what I've been getting. Its not on par with the newest iphone or samsung but its been a nice surprise given the new form factor. Build/Hardware: 10/10 Premium, Luxurious, Polished. Software: People have overblown software issues, are there some minor bugs? Sure. Can it be fixed with updates, I believe so. How do you fix or work through the bugs.... honestly for me I just close the phone and then re open it and that fixes what I've dealt with 90 + % of the time. There are other people who have had some more serious issues but on my end and in my circle they have been minimal and understandable considering the its a 1st gen device and the 1st PRODUCT of its kind. ***** I also feel there is a learning curve with this device, a lot of youtubers and reviewers were reviewing like 4 phones at the time the DUO was under reviews and they didn't have the time to dedicate to learn a new system. Let me put it to you like this, If you go to another country and try to learn their language but youre also learning 3 other languages and you cant properly speak the language of the country you're visiting cause you haven't put time or effort in is that the countries fault or the individual? Alot of people are saying gestures dont work right, this and that, but they're judging their expectation of what an up or side swipe does based on how it behaves / what it does for a different device..... this is a new system and must be learned accordingly. I feel most of it is user error honestly, you can tell thats what it is because a lot of reviewers will say, it got better after a day or two or the system fixed it self after the first day..... no, people just started figuring it out. Theres more to say but this has been way longer than I anticipated. In short, this phone is worth your time and money if..... - You want a premium multitasking experience - You want an unbelievable work flow - The ultimate e reader experience, (Kindle, Nook, Google books all work fantastic with page turning animations) - Immersive news and social media consumption - Great gaming - Xcloud or Nintendo DS emulator - Versatility and Adaptability, the various postures and modes of the phone have been such a game changer for me. It simply does things no other phone can. - Wonderful Note taking experience (with stylus support): One note is so good - MICROSOFT ECOSYSTEM: your phone app, office suite, onedrive, xbox, surface lineup, its great. - Just a fan of tech or sleek design - Lastly, if your bored of the same old same old from everyone else, consider something new and exciting. I left my iphone 11pro and ios for this device, I can't tell you how amazing its been for me (maybe its just cause Im an educator and multitasking is a must for my profession). Enjoying the ride, looking forward to future updates and integrations. Hope this was helpful. Good luck guys.

Tried the Surface Duo after using an iPhone for over a decade. Definitely feel more productive: it is designed to run Microsoft software, and it does well. Having dual screens makes it easy to multitask on the go, and it feels much better designed and sturdier than folding screen phones. Pen support works well for taking notes. The camera is nothing special, but I didn't buy for the camera: it works for Teams / Zoom meetings. Some Android apps don't like the dual screens, though those are few and far between. Many tech reviewers didn't initially give good marks, but Microsoft has fixed a lot of software bugs since the initial release. Recommend if you need to work or multitask on the go a lot (which I do) or if you're already invested in the Surface ecosystem. If you need a strong photography camera or gaming platform, this phone isn't for you. Even after the recent price drop, it's still pricey: the phone comes with a bumper case to protect it, and I bought a set of dbrand skins to protect the outer glass.

I purchased this device to replace my corporate issued Samsung Note 8. My company is all in on Office 365 (OneNote, Teams, OneDrive, Yammer, etc.). I thought this would be the perfect device to replace my Note 8 and be more productive on the go. However, after the initial awe regarding the hardware, once turned on the issues begin. The operating system, gestures, and typing experience is ridden with bugs. I have had multiple incidents where the screens do not rotate, one or both screens don't turn on when device is opened--very frustrating. Using the camera--which I realized would be lousy--does not switch screens when prompted. With all these issues adding up I am forced to return and upgrade to Note 20 Ultra. I wanted to love this device and in some instances I do...but for the price...I can't recommend. Pros: -Build Quality -Two Screens -Battery Life -Fast Charge -Great Call Quality Cons: -OS is EXTREMELY BUGGY -Typing Experience -Camera -Speaker

DO NOT LISTEN TO THE YOUTUBERS! First off this is a productivity device that can make phone calls and receive test messages and do everything else a phone can do and do well it does. This is the most beautiful and most solid built device ever period. The 2 screens are amazing. I ordered mine through AT&T and call quality and signal strength is excellent. Its fast, and even though it only has one speaker it sounds crystal clear. It has taken a few days to get use to the gestures but now that I have mastered that its been great. The camera is pretty good and actually better than I thought it would be. Battery life is amazing it has lasted me a day and a half easy. As one reviewer stated I can"t put this device down every since I got it. Bluetooth has been excellent with no issues connects to my car and playing music and answering phone calls have been perfect.

This device will most definitely turn heads and it happens to me everywhere I take it and pull it out. Now for the review. This phone is great from a hardware perspective. Microsoft really knocked it out of the park when it comes to the build quality. The ability to run two apps side by side is incredible and it really is a game changer. Creating multiple app groups for different situations is fantastic, especially when you pair this with a cheap bluetooth keyboard and you take it to a coffee shop. Unfortunately, it is not all rainbows and butterflies with this phone and it is not remarkable in two areas. First is the camera. In good lighting, it takes great shots, but in low light, it really is awful. Next, the software is a little buggy but its never more than a very minor inconvenience. It did get ironed out with its first update and since then it has become a really speedy phone. Would I buy it again? Yes, being able to prop it up at work while I eat lunch without having a pop socket or needing it to be leaning against something is amazing. The phone is a ton of fun to use, the battery is fantastic, performance is great, charging is really fast, but it has a mediocre camera. Me personally, I use this phone for a ton of media consumption, doing homework, and taking notes in one note. If you like hand written notes (like I do) then I suggest getting a surface pen. It is not cheap, but it adds even more capabilities to the phone. This is the first phone review I ever do because that's how enthused I am about this device.

I've owned my Surface Duo for about a week, and I can tell you it is a truly fantastic device. For the record, I'm a die-hard Apple fanboy and I've never really been all that fond of Android devices. This time is... different is all I can say. Yes, there is a learning curve but coming from iPhones it's not bad at all. Just a couple more gestures to remember. Yes, there are some software hangups, but that's what software updates are for (anyone remember how bad iOS 13 was at the start?). Yes, it's expensive but so are all the other flagship phones, and this one is in a totally new space so it's not really fair to compare. Now for the review: Hardware: the build quality is unsurpassed. I even think Apple could take a cue from Microsoft when it comes to hardware. This thing is definitely worthy of the Surface moniker. All glass and metal, it feels SO premium in hand. And the dual screens? Oh mama! Two 5.6 AMOLED screens side-by-side for a total of 8.3" of screen space? Nice! Scrolling on a web browser, going through emails, even working with Office 365 documents is an absolute delight. Performance: Don't let the negative reviews fool you. The Snapdragon 855 may well be last year's processor, but it is definitely no slouch. In my experience, everything is smooth. Scrolling, swiping, tapping, etc. all work as they should. Cellular: LTE 4X4 MIMO, but no 5G. Not a deal breaker by any means, as 5G still has a ways to go before reaching maximum saturation. In addition, a 5G antenna in this would have made the device slightly thicker and sapped battery life as well. I'm on T-Mobile, and LTE speeds are very good (according to Ookla Speedtest app). Battery life: Much better than anticipated. Two 3577mAH batteries (one behind each screen) will get you through the workday with no problem. I generally have at least 20%-25% left at the end of the day. Granted, I'm no power user, but I answer multiple emails, multiple phone calls, browse the Internet quite often, and work with Office 365 documents so your mileage may vary but I don't see anyone reaching for the charger very often. Software: Here's where there definitely could be improvements, but like I said earlier that's what updates are for. There are times where the software lags a bit, but I've always had that issue with Android. There was an update waiting as soon as I turned on the phone, and from what I gather this fixes a lot of the issues that most of the negative reviews mention. I have also updated the Microsoft Launcher to the beta version, and this has fixed other issues as well, so I'm pretty happy with how it works at this point. Still a couple of hiccups here and there, but nothing that makes me want to throw it across the room. Usually closing/opening it back up fixes the issue, and if that doesn't a reboot does. Camera: Not nearly as bad as most would have you believe. Yes, in low light it will struggle. Daytime shots, or indoor shots with good lighting are perfectly acceptable, especially if all you're doing is Instagram/Facebook/Twitter photos. It can be a little wonky trying to get the camera setup to go from selfie mode to regular mode. You have to flip the device around, and sometimes the gyroscope just doesn't recognize the motion. Again, not a deal breaker. Just something that could possibly be fixed with a software update. Price: Whoo boy it's expensive. But you're basically getting two phones in one, so it's a little more palatable. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2, it's $600 cheaper! Sure, you get two screens instead of one foldable one, but multitasking is much better on the Duo vs Fold 2. On the Fold 2, the workable space is much smaller, vs the Duo where each app gets its own full screen. Try working on an Excel spreadsheet in a narrow window on the Fold 2 and then on full screen on the Duo and you'll see what I mean. And still, it's a premium Surface device so the price is commiserate with what you're getting. All in all, this is an excellent device whose potential has yet to be reached, but I am sure that through continued software updates it will be exactly what Microsoft has envisioned. I know I'm happy with it!

I've only been using the Surface Duo for a few days, but I really love it so far. The construction is gorgeous, the build is truly premium. Being able to open full screen apps on two displays is a really nice luxury, as is having dual-screen access to apps like Outlook and OneNote. I really like watching a YouTube video on one screen and scrolling Twitter or playing a game on the other. Reading is a joy on it too, as it feels just a little bit closer to reading a real book. The camera is absolutely so-so, but I'm not an avid photographer and I'd probably buy a separate camera if I decided to get into it more. Who knows if the novelty will wear off, but I'm enjoying this phone so much, I just keep looking forward to opportunities to open it up and try new things on it. I really, really hope app developers will be adventurous and start taking real advantage of tech like this so it encourages companies to iterate on this design and bring the cost down, as the price was my biggest wavering point on buying one.

DISCLAIMER: I bought this at the $600 price point and not at full price when it was new. However, I was not expecting to like this device as much as I did...despite the crappy software experience. The hardware is beautiful and feels high quality. The appeal of dual screens (not 1 folding screen) felt intuitive to me and I look forward to where this design concept will go in the future. If you use Microsoft apps like Teams, Outlook and others they work well with the 2 displays. The camera was passable but not a reason to buy this. Battery life was ok. SUMMARY: As a Mac person in general, I appreciate trying out new concepts and interesting hardware and I can definitely see myself following the Duo progress. At full price, I would have to think harder about buying this but now that I have had a taste of what MS is going for I'm willing to give more consideration to spending money. At the time of my posting this, the Duo 2 has been out a week or two and there has been great progress in the new incarnation. I have not purchased the 2 yet but am watching the software upgrades and reviews. Not perfect...yet...but it's still really interesting.

I love the form factor but the buggy nature of this first gen device will not be for everyone. I only recommend this to tech enthusiasts with the cash to spend. Maybe wait for gen 2 for this to be your daily or have a back up phone. Battery life has been good for the most part unless you really hammer use on both screens. Only one speaker is a let down and the camera has the quality of a $300 phone.

I used to have Windows Phones and I will say that my Microsoft Lumia 950 had the BEST camera. I would say it would rival today's Iphones and Galaxy's. Then I bought a Nokia 9. I was a two year newer phone and it was a downgrade compared to my Lumia. Now I bought this and while the photos are ok, it is CLEARLY the worst of the 3. I decided to buy this because of what it can do and it overrode what the camera lacks. After seeing and using my girlfriends Surface Duo I decided to take the leap. Wow, this thing is cool. Having two apps open at the same time is fantastic. I will have a quick launch open 2 different weather apps to compare the forecast. I was using navigation and had to send a quick text and was able to leave the nav. up on one screen, open Messages on the other and not skip a beat for finding my way on the map. Using Microsoft apps full screen is great. Even surfing the web is better. You can have Edge open on the left screen, press and hold on the site you want to open in a new window and it opens on the right screen. That leaves your search on the left screen untouched so you don't have to go back and forth between searches and websites. The possibilities are almost endless. The gestures take a little time to get used to, but I am getting a hang of it. I would go on, but then it would sound like I am getting paid for this review. Overall, I love it so far and it is BEAUTIFUL.