As expected, Microsoft announced the new Surface Duo 2 at an otherwise laptop-focused Surface event. The tech giant launched the new Android phone alongside four new Surface devices, including the Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 8, and Surface Go 3.
Packed with some major updates, the successor to last year's Surface Duo is faster and comes with an improved camera and support for contactless payments. Pricing starts at $1,499.99, and the articulated dual-screen device will launch on October 20. However, you can pre-order the phone – along with the other Surface hardware – from several retailers now, and check out our best practices to see if it's worth buying here.
Unlike its predecessor, the Surface Duo 2 runs Android 11, supports 5G and has an NFC chip for contactless payments. It features a dynamic triple-camera system that includes a 12MP telephoto lens on the front, enabling high-resolution video calls, and a 16MP ultra-wide lens on the rear. Similar to its Android-powered rivals, specifically this year's Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 and Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Duo 2 additionally uses Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 888 processor, along with 8GB of RAM.
As for the display, the two 5.8-inch, 1344 x 1892 OLED touchscreens open to 8.3-inches diagonally and offer the ability to run two select apps side by side. You can also drag and drop between screens in some apps. As for the overall design, the device features slimmer bezels and sells in both “glacier” and “obsidian” color variants. Note, however, that Microsoft does not sell a 512 GB configuration in the Obsidian tone.
The Surface Duo 2 is currently available for pre-order at the Microsoft Store and Best Buy (128 GB / 256 GB). Unlocked, you can buy the base 128GB model for $1,499.99, while the 256GB and 512GB versions sell for $1,599.99 and $1,799.99, respectively. Note, however, that the 512GB configuration is not currently available at either retailer.
We will update this article with carrier promotions if and when they become available.
