Microsoft Surface Duo 2 hands-on: who is it for?

Microsoft itself says that the Surface Duo 2 is not a smartphone in the strict sense. You can insert a SIM card and make calls with it, and with Android 11 all apps from the Play Store are available. Microsoft kindly provided the device to me as a loan. I am not paid for my opinion, so this is an independent hands-on review. I tested it for almost two weeks and have to agree with Microsoft: as a daily driver and replacement for my smartphone, it would not be suitable for me. Still, I would buy it.

Why it will not be my daily driver: the notifications

It comes down 100 percent to the missing notification options. As a further development, the Duo 2 has a notification bar that is visible from the outside. The idea is nice, but it only shows notifications from system apps: calls, SMS and the battery status. Messages from WhatsApp, Telegram or Instagram are not displayed. The device also has to be positioned so that you can see the bar.

In everyday use that is not practical for me, because I have to unfold the device completely every time to see notifications or missed calls. For a call, I even have to open it just to see who is calling. You could pair a smartwatch, but in my opinion that is not the point. An outer display like on the Galaxy Z Flip 3 would be an absolute game changer. Then I would use the device as my favorite daily driver. I hope Microsoft keeps developing it, because there are an insane number of reasons why I would like to use it.

Design and build quality

Design and build quality are high-end. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the outside makes a totally premium impression. The hinges are sturdy and firm, and the device holds at any conceivable angle. The fingerprint sensor in the power button works very reliably. There is glass on the front and back, so you can see fingerprints and dust. There are cases for that, which also protect the device.

Two displays in four ways

The highlight is the two 5.3-inch 90 Hz displays inside, which I use in four ways:

1. Upright with two separate displays: An app runs on each. My most productive setup is email on the left and the calendar on the right.
2. In landscape: Handy when Teams runs on top and notes are taken below. With the wide keyboard, you can write emails and longer texts very well.
3. As a single screen, folded shut: The device is then quite handy, for example for WhatsApp. I used this format super often.
4. Full screen across both displays: For example for a book or a movie. The gap between the displays is distracting here. In the camera app, it is practical to take a photo and edit it right away.

The display gets nice and bright, and watching YouTube videos is fun. The speakers are really loud and rich, which surprised me positively. There is a front and a rear camera. They take quite good shots, which is more than enough for snapshots and for scanning documents.

Surface Pen and notes

The Duo 2 supports the Surface Pen, which makes the device even more productive for me. I love making appointment notes with a pen, for example in OneNote, which are then synced across my devices, especially with my MacBook.

• You can only write with the pen in a few input fields. Apple and Samsung support this much better.
• The pen is high quality but, like the Apple Pencil, has a hard plastic tip that clatters when writing. For me, the best writing feel comes from Samsung’s S Pen with its soft tip.
• The Surface Pen attaches magnetically to the outside of the case, which is nice. But you have to buy it separately.
• When the unfolded device lies on a table, it wobbles because of the camera on the back. It would be better if the camera element did not stick out so far from the case. Cases can minimize the wobble.

E-book reader, battery and feed

As an e-book reader, the device is unbeatable: small, handy and two great displays. You cannot read e-books or longer documents more comfortably on the go. I find the feed on the left side super practical, and it can be customized.

With my use of notes, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, email and calendar, I got a battery life of over two days. I did not make calls with it, though.

Verdict: who is the Surface Duo 2 for?

For me it is clearly an outstanding business or second phone. It has everything a smartphone needs. For people who want a separate smartphone for work alongside their personal one, it is just right. In such a scenario, it is not so important if notifications from WhatsApp or social media are not visible at first glance. I can easily imagine it as a work phone, maybe as a laptop replacement, and in any case as a tablet replacement when traveling.

In those two weeks, it replaced my complex notebook for work. It is the first device that has managed that, and the reason I will probably buy one myself. In private life, it can serve as a tablet replacement or for anyone who likes to take notes or wants to use two applications side by side comfortably. That works a hundred times better here than on all the other devices I have tested so far.

You have to consider the RRP of €1,599. As a second device, that is a big ask, and everyone has to think about whether they have enough use cases. I hope Microsoft keeps at it, solves the notification problem, builds in a slightly better camera and fixes small flaws. Then it would be a clear decision for me and my new daily driver.