Overview of the folding smartphone Microsoft Surface Duo

In October 2019, Microsoft attracted attention with an unusual novelty - the Surface Duo foldable phone. The expected period for the product to enter the market is the end of 2020. The manufacturer keeps a maximum of data on the new Surface Duo in secret. But bit by bit, the information collected on the Internet allows you to review the model in as much detail as possible.

Microsoft Surface line

The first form of modern smartphones was the Windows Mobile, a PC/PDA running the Windows operating system. Further, phones with Windows 7, 8 and 10 were updated, but the manufacturer did not target them to the mobile application market.

Microsoft, the largest multinational company, began production of its own Surface tablet computers from mid-June 2012. Microsoft Surface - devices that can install applications used on desktop PCs. The Surface brand never ceases to amaze. The quality of laptops and tablet computers of the Surface series remains at its best.

Appearance and ergonomics

In parallel with the Surface Duo phone, the Surface Neo tablet was introduced - a device with a slightly larger size, a different operating system, but identical data. The 9-inch dual-touch tablet weighs 1.3 kg and features a 360-degree hinge that rotates the screens. The wall thickness of one screen is 5.6 mm, when folded, the device has a thickness of 11.2 mm. The tablet is equipped with a thin LCD display with a protective coating Gorilla Glass. Most of the Microsoft Surface series devices are equipped with a die-cast magnesium body "VaporMg" with a PVD finish. Let's hope that the new Duo is made in the same version.

The body of the smartphone has a metallic silver color. Among the world's leading manufacturers, Microsoft is the first to introduce a smartphone with two screens based on the Android operating system. Externally, the device resembles a Surface Neo tablet and looks like a book. The screens are two separate panels with frames, connected to each other by two hinges (top and bottom).

The side bezels are narrow, the top and bottom bezels are quite wide. Outside the device on the upper case in the center is the corporate logo of Microsoft - 4 mirrored squares. The power / lock and volume buttons are located on the right on the bottom panel, like on ordinary android smartphones. The front camera block is located on the display of the bottom panel. On the body of the cameras is not observed. This fact should be reflected, because for multimedia shooting you will first have to open the smartphone.

The user interface is designed so that you can use both screens at the same time and in two ways.Each screen can show different tasks as two separate parts, or if the user wants to watch a movie, one large window can be deployed on two screens at once. The picture can be rotated in any direction convenient for viewing by the user.

Display

The screen size is 5.6 inches. The screen is almost square. This factor makes you wonder how comfortable it will be to hold the device in your hand, even when folded. At an angle of 180 degrees, both displays are transformed into one large one, the diagonal of which is 8.3 inches. At the same time, the screen does not look uniform due to the presence of a full-fledged frame that divides the display in the center, reflecting with a metallic sheen. The hinge-loop installed on the displays allows you to rotate the screen 360 degrees. Depending on the angle of rotation, different scenarios and applications of the device can be used.

Each screen is protected by tempered glass Corning Gorilla Glass, however, it is not yet reported which generation. The glass will protect the screens from mechanical damage in the form of scratches from keys and other metal objects.

CPU

The Surface Duo is powered by Qualcomm's flagship processor, which is powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset. The device is considered the most powerful mobile processor in 2019. The chipset supports networks in 5G mode, as far as it will be applicable for the Duo, time will tell. A powerful neuroprocessor inside is responsible for regulating the energy consumption in the system.

Eight cores are arranged in three clusters, according to the 1/3/4 scheme. High performance Cortex-A76 cluster with one Kryo 485 Gold+ core running at 2.84GHz. A mid-range Cortex-A76 cluster with three Kryo 485 Gold cores is responsible for running tasks at a frequency of 2.42 GHz.The energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cluster consists of 4 Kryo 485 Silver cores and operates at a frequency of 1.8 GHz. It is responsible for the operation of applications and programs, ensures the performance of the operating system itself. The distribution of cores helped to raise the performance of the processor by one and a half times. The technological process is 7 nanometers, with an Adreno 640 graphics accelerator chip.

The characteristics of the processor allow you to support new modern sensors with high resolution. The voice assistant distinguishes the user's voice through audio focus even in crowded places, suppressing unnecessary noise and sounds. A special function (computer vision) helps to determine the depth during video shooting. The chipset supports the new Wi-Fi 6 ready standard with new MIMO technology. The data transfer rate is approximately 10 Gbps under the 802.11ay standard with minimal latency. When a Bluetooth headset is connected, Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo Plus will delay the signal between the two channels and reduce power consumption.

Interface Features

Surface Duo was created in collaboration with Google. The operating system has been optimized and adjusted to work with two screens. The multitasking of the device with this solution takes the device to a new level. When folded into the shape of a Surface Duo laptop, you can use one display as a keyboard for typing or as a controller for simple gaming.

The Surface Duo comes with Google Android OS (Android 9 Pie plus Microsoft's launcher). The Android version is as close as possible to the Windows 10X operating system on Neo.Why did the manufacturer decide to use this OS? After all, the Surface Neo tablet is running the new system of the latest version of Windows 10X, through which you can emulate Android applications. Perhaps there is a connection: Windows makes a better PC/tablet operating system that works better on such devices, while Android OS is more suitable for smartphones. Surface Duo combines Surface hardware with the Google App Store. According to the manufacturer, absolutely all applications of the Android system will work on the smartphone. To do this, the developer is given a year to apply and test all possible applications and programs optimized for this smartphone model before launching products to the masses. Included in the interface will be the Edge browser and the Microsoft Office package - the company's own developments.

Application

The device can be used as a portable foldable mini computer to work in social networks, browse the web, multimedia videos, to process photos. At home, in the office, in the country, on the road, while traveling, a smartphone will be an indispensable thing. A call system is provided for receiving and dialing calls. When both hands are occupied, phone calls can be controlled through wireless headphones and a headset. You can also receive a call without opening your smartphone.

The combination of Microsoft and Google allows you to get the best moments from both concerns. A smartphone resembles a pocket computer with Internet access. The device is equipped with a telephone connection and, like most Microsoft products, is intended for a specific group of users.Office workers, students, people who, due to their professional activities, have to take a large number of notes and comments, can actively use the device, carrying it in their breast pocket. The smartphone is not designed for the general consumer: you can’t play a cool game through a fast display, watch a long movie or video, there is no main camera. Among the minuses, we can assume the rapid wear of the hinges on which the screens are held, with the active opening / closing of the device.

Battery

Given the thickness of the device, it can be assumed that a medium-capacity battery is installed inside, which reduces the battery life of the equipment. The principle of smartphones is as follows; with a more capacious battery, the device looks thicker.

Specifications

• unconventional appearance and peculiar style;
• well-known manufacturer
• excellent build quality;
• user-friendly interface;
• multitasking;
• support and use of two screens at the same time;
• a small gap between the screens;
• suitable for professional activities;
• the screens are covered with high quality durable tempered glass;
• screen rotation 0 - 360 degrees;
• extensive use of the device;
• high-performance processor;
• own optimized development of programs and applications;
• lightweight device.

• too wide for the hand - uncomfortable to hold even when folded;
• fragility with inaccurate use;
• not intended for a general consumer;
• small battery life and a low-capacity battery are possible;
• the presence of only the front camera - for photo and video shooting you will have to open the device.

Conclusion

The survey showed how much intrigued the future buyer is with a foldable device after the failed Windows 10 Mobile system. Why keep secret information about the gadget for so long? Let's hope that after the release and sale of Surface Duo will be the perfect device with the declared characteristics and justify the long wait. It remains only to wait for the start of the New Year sales of 2020.