Last year I blogged about the Microsoft Surface Duo. It was in its first incarnation, I hadn't actually seen it in the flesh and, critically, hadn't touched let alone used one. As it happens the first iteration of the Duo didn't fare well - by all accounts it was buggy, had a higher than expected failure rate and the surface ironically didn't pass the test of time.
Fast forward a year and a bit and Microsoft are selling the replacement, the Surface Duo 2. I've been watching this story develop and reading the reviews for a while. The consensus is that it is a much better device, actually is usable as a mobile phone (or cell phone to those across the pond) including 5G and is better finished. The upshot from several reviewers is that the device is suited to users who are a little bit geeky and quirky. Sounds like me, perfect.
The launch price was horrendously expensive, but recently Microsoft lopped about £500 off all the models - anything that can be reduced by £500 in one strike must have been overpriced by any definition - and I found on my birthday to be the recipient of a very expensive - even with the lopping-off exercise it's still pricey at just under a grand - Surface Duo 2 - the 256Gb version. My wife also bought me the Surface Slim Pen and the bumper pack - more about those items in a while.
One of the things that gave me cause to pause - apart from the price - was the form factor. I've moved from a OnePlus 7T Pro which is tall and slimmish across the front - although broader than the Nord. The Duo is shorter than the 7T, but a tad broader across the hips, plus of course it unfolds into two different screens. Watching the promotional videos on the Microsoft shop it looked to be easy to hold, but deep down I was concerned they might have just used actors with big hands. The only time they showed it being put in a pocket was into a jacket pocket, not the trouser pocket I suspect most of us use for our phones. In use it isn't too big, without any sort of case it slips easily into my trouser pocket and boy, despite having two screens folded into each other, it is slim.
What wasn't clear from some of the reviews I had read is that it is a dual sim phone - some reviews were very critical that a phone that is aimed at the business user only had one sim slot, a sentiment I would agree with if it were completely true. However, despite only having one physical sim slot it also has a sim chip on board, so can (and does) take an eSim. This is useful for me as my preferred day-to-day carrier, EE, is useless at work. I tend to have my phone turned off when teaching, but accessing it from my desk is a bugbear, so I've installed a Vodafone eSim to give me a number I can use without having to leave the building and making myself contactable while in work. It's an additional £6 a month for the plan, but it's proven useful already. Installing the eSim wasn't as straightforward as the advertising blurb would suggest and eventually it was installed remotely over the home wi-fi by a Vodafone tech, but I suspect the issue was more likely to be Vodafone's than Microsoft's.
In use it took a few days to get my head around using it. I did the recommended WhatsApp backup and used the built-in utility to transfer my apps and contact details across via bluetooth. Microsoft put a handful of app icons across the two screens and have a couple of folders for the remainder. What wasn't obvious, to me at least, was that the plus symbol above these folders was there to open the full range of apps. Once you realise that you can select apps to appear initially in the folder and, if you prefer, you can drag it outside of the folder to sit on the main screens. One of the apps pre-loaded onto the screen is a calendar app and I was initially disappointed it hadn't dragged my calendar entries across. I was doubly disappointed when it didn't seem to have the ability to set up repeating appointments. Once I found the hidden apps, though, I found my old calendar app that came with all my legacy information. I think it is a OnePlus calendar, but maybe it's a Google offering. Either way, it is now pride of place on the front screen.
A nice touch - literally - is the fingerprint sensor. I've found these to be unpredictable in use on previous devices. My old HP Windows phone worked most of the time, but would let me down at the least convenient points, and the fingerprint detector on my Surface Pro keyboard is so flaky I haven't bothered to use it for ages - luckily the Windows Hello face recognition has improved tremendously so I tend to frighten my Surface Pro into opening with a glance these days. The fingerprint detector, about 2mm wide, unlocks every time. You only need to use a PIN to unlock the phone when you reboot which, given it's a Microsoft device, appears to be more often than most phones. It might be just me, but I've rebooted quite a bit to resolve small issues. Probably there are more technical solutions available, but turning it off and turning it on again seems to be my go-to these days.
The bumper pack is a must, in my opinion, and it is irritating that you have to pay £40 for something that is essential. The edges of the screens look incredibly vulnerable without the bumpers and I would recommend anyone considering buying a Surface Duo includes the cost when making their decision. They come in a variety of colours, so I suspect that would be Microsoft's excuse for not including them, but I'm sure that could be overcome with a little simple programming on the sales site software - I'm sure they have access to people with suitable skills. As it happens my wife knows me very well and bought black bumpers to go with the cool black obsidian exterior. They are a breeze to fit - peel off the protective film from the adhesive side and press into place. Well-engineered, they slot into position perfectly and one month on appear to holding their own without any issues.
Apart from protecting the edges, the bumpers also help overcome the stiction provided by the hinge. Microsoft know how to design a hinge and the phone screens will stay in whatever position you choose to leave them in. The bumpers provide a little tactile grip to the edges which could be a tad slippy without them.
Microsoft provide a USB earphone set with the phone - the sound is great, and we can't detect any sound leakage in use at home. If you want an input device the recommended extra is the Surface slim pen. Currently discounted by £10, it is selling for £110 on the Microsoft shop and is a super accessory for the Duo. What is stated but not necessarily clear is that most people also need to buy the charging unit for the pen to use it - mine sat unable to be used for nearly a week after getting the Duo as it arrived uncharged and I didn't have any way to charge it apart from ordering a charger, which is another £30 on top. I say most need one - some Surface Pro keyboards including the one provided for the Studio seemingly come with a charger built in, so a small number of purchasers will be able to avoid that charge.
Is the pen worth £110 + £30 for the charger? It certainly is a neat input device; you can open OneNote with a single click of the top of the pen and then open a page where you can use the Duo as an electronic notebook. A double click takes a screenshot of both screens that you can then edit to include only the detail you need. I don't think I've had my money's worth out of the pen yet, but it's early days and I'm finding new ways of using the Duo daily.
The device certainly is a smart, head turning piece of tech and I'm keen to keep it looking tidy. To that end I've bought a felt slip case off eBay. The seller tailors the case to include bumpers, if you have them fitted, and a loop for the slip pen that keeps it held tightly. You just have to be clear when ordering what you need. It increases the bulk of the device and makes it snug in my trouser pockets but it also means it won't slip out when sitting down and protects the device generally - I tend to sit the Duo on the slip case when it is out but not on active duty.
I'm pleased with the Duo so far, one month in, but I'll provide an update probably in the New Year on how it has performed over time.
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