Microsoft has a complicated history with hardware. Though its Surface line popularized the idea of tablets that can double as laptops, it hasn’t been able to replicate that success with mobile devices. The now-defunct Windows Phone platform, Zune music player, Kin phones and Microsoft Band are proof.
Now mounting evidence is starting to indicate that Microsoft’s two-screened smartphone, the Surface Duo, could meet the same fate. Last year, Windows Central reported that Microsoft had scrapped plans for a Surface Duo 3 and instead plans to launch a more traditional foldable phone with a bendable screen, similar to the devices in Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line. A patent application that surfaced this week (no pun intended) further fueled speculation that Microsoft could be moving in this direction, coming after questions have been raised about how long the company will continue to support its existing Duo devices.Â
Yes, the Surface Duo has issues. Despite its unconventional and striking design, it hasn’t been ideal for basic phone-related tasks, like snapping photos and quickly responding to texts on the go. Occasional software glitches have also hampered its appeal.Â
But the promise behind a phone with two screens isn’t lost on me, and I hope Microsoft isn’t completely giving up on it.Â
A Microsoft representative said the Surface Duo “remains an important part of the Surface portfolio.” The company added that Android and security updates would be provided for three years following the device’s release, which means 2024 should be the last year the Surface Duo 2 gets updates.
Read more: Considering a Foldable Phone? How to Decide if One Is Right for You
Two screens can be better than one
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about foldable phones in the last couple of years, it’s that two screens can sometimes be better than one. That was one of my takeaways when reviewing the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and the Motorola Razr Plus, both of…
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