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Surface Duo

Thoughts on the Microsoft Surface Duo

This will without a doubt be an amazing device. In another time and another place it might also be a popular device.

However in this place and in this time we have Apple and the iPhone, and Samsung and various other Android phones. There just isn't a compelling use case for something like the Surface Duo.

Here are some key reasons the Surface Duo isn't going to be a mainstream success

  • A first generation Microsoft device is never a mainstream success. As the owner of a Surface RT, Surface Pro 1, Zune, and Microsoft Band, I believe I am qualified to make this statement. All were good products however none were exceptionally popular products. Microsoft stuck with the Surface Pro and got it right by version 3; maybe they will do the same with the Duo.
  • The price: people won't pay $1400
  • The camera: a single 11 megapixel isn't sufficient on that form factor
  • No support for 5G
  • I don't believe that dual screens solves an existing problem. Some say that you can use it to more naturally read books. We have the Kindle for that, and I can take my Kindle to the beach and drop it in the sand or get it wet and not worry.
  • If you want decent, cheap portable device buy a Service Go.
  • In summary, if the Duo is a phone there are better phones. If it's a reader there are better readers. If it's a small PC there are better small PCs.

I really don't understand Microsoft's thinking behind this product. Microsoft, at least under Nadella, doesn't want to play in the consumer space so why make another consumer device? It doesn't serve as a reference device like other Surface products. And unlike with tablets, I don't feel that it's filling some new, necessary device category.

On a positive note, it's another device with an amazing hinge. Microsoft certainly knows how to make a nice hinge, as the kickstand on my Surface Pro 4 can attest to.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Surface Duo will be amazing, people won't choose it over the iPhone or over other Android phones. It's not solving any real problems that people have that can't be solved by arguably better devices at lower price points.