Microsoft is manufacturing again smart phones regularly, but does it differently from many other companies. Despite running Android, the Surface Duo has two separate screens that can be folded over each other.
This contrasts with what Samsung, Huawei and Oppo, the other big foldable device makers of the moment, are doing.
However, Microsoft still has a long way to go to convince people that the Surface Duo is the future of foldables. A long delay between the announcement and the release of the original model made it look dated and overpriced.
The second attempt was in 2021, and it was also not affordable, although subsequent updates to Software have helped to significantly improve the user experience.
From the point of view of Material, it is also clear that Microsoft is moving in the right direction. However, judging by the latest rumours, Duo 3 will still have to wait a bit.
That’s all you need to know.
When will the Surface Duo 3 go on sale?
Judging by the first two generations, it seems that Microsoft has adopted an annual release cycle:
- Surface Duo: September 2020 (February and April 2021 in other markets)
- Surface Duo 2: October 2021
The original model’s staggered launch is unlikely to be repeated, but it looks like the Surface Duo 3 won’t arrive in 2022. Zac Bowden said in Windows Central at the end of last year, which he thinks Microsoft will be betting on launching in 2023.
It’s hard to predict a more concrete release date at this point, but Microsoft usually reserves its big releases for Material by the end of the year, so September/October 2023 seems most likely.
On the other hand, it must be said that so far Microsoft has not launched any of the models of the range in Europe. We don’t know if that will be the case in 2023 with the new Surface Duo 3, but we hope so.
How much will the Surface Duo 3 cost?
Pricing is often one of the last product details to be revealed, so it’s no wonder the cost of the Duo 3 remains a mystery. In addition, not having the price in Europe of previous models as a reference makes everything more difficult.
However, we can take a look at the prices that the first two generations had in other European countries to get an idea, in this case France:
- Surface Duo (128 GB): $1,549
- Surface Duo (256 GB): $1,649
- Surface Duo 2 (128 GB): $1,599
- Surface Duo 2 (256 GB): $1,699
- Surface Duo 2 (512 GB): $1,899
Most likely, the same retail price will remain, with a price increase only if there are major upgrades to the new model. However, Microsoft might decide to lower the price slightly, especially if the improvements are minor.
What design and features will the Surface Duo 3 have?
As expected, there aren’t many rumors floating around about the Microsoft Surface Duo 3 at the moment.
In a YouTube video by Windows Central Starting in February 2022, Zac Bowden hints that the glasses will likely be slimmer and there will be wireless charging. His colleague Daniel Rubino suggests that the size of the camera could be reduced and this would facilitate the integration of Qi wireless charging.
So far, the only other source of information we have is Technical specifications. It’s unclear where the site got all of this information, and it doesn’t have much of a reputation for leaks either. However, at first glance, everything that appears seems logical.
First of all, it’s supposed to run Android 12 out of the box. Even if Google releases Android 13 be fore the next Duo is announced, it’s unlikely that the Material
I hope it is based on Android 12L. Google has started rolling out a version of Android with specific features for large foldable displays, which should help make them easier and more intuitive.
Another specification that makes sense is the use of Qualcomm’s latest flagship processor. According Technical specificationsit’s the Snapdragon 898, although we now know it’s called Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Moving to a 4nm chip with a new architecture should offer a useful performance boost, so that also seems likely. However, it can use the new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 or its successor at launch.
According Technical specificationsMicrosoft will also increase the Duo 3’s overall screen size to 8.5″. This is an increase from the Duo 2’s 8.3″ and suggests that each screen will be 5.9″ instead. 5.8″. It’s unclear if this will be achieved at the same overall size (bezel reduction) and there’s no mention of resolution or refresh rate.
The cameras are also supposed to be improved. Technical specifications suggests Micros oft will keep the triple rear camera and 16MP ultra-wide-angle lens, but will also upgrade the wide-angle and telephoto lens to 16MP.
However, as we have seen in the past, there is no guarantee that this will improve image quality. The website does not mention if there will be any changes to the 12 MP front camera.
The rest of the specs mentioned are identical to the Surface Duo 2. It’s supposed to have the same 8GB of RAM, along with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage.
If there are no more surprises, the device would represent an iterative upgrade. This makes sense, since the Material it’s already great.
There’s also a slim chance we’ll see a more affordable version of the Duo 3, which could launch alongside the flagship model.
In July 2022, Windows Central flagged an eBay listing for what was described as a Surface Duo 2 “dev unit”. Virtually no details were provided, but images show a device with a smaller camera, matte finish and corners. more rounded:
That project seems to have been cancelled, but Microsoft might pick up on the idea of a mid-range Surface Duo at some point.
But could Microsoft opt for a completely different design for the Duo 3? As WalkingCat discovered on Twitter, the company has filed a patent application for a new foldable that unfolds instead of folds:
MS Patent: FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE https://t.co/De0GAT8aiF pic.twitter.com/BoBmXrGQy3
– Walking cat (@_h0x0d_)
May 19, 2022
This would reduce or could eliminate the gap between the two screens. The news emerged the same week that LG teased a new display tech that looks very similar, so the two companies could be working together on an upcoming device.
But, if the dual-screen layout isn’t kept, Microsoft probably won’t call it Duo. Maybe the Surface Neo could be reborn?
We’ll update this article when we have more information about the Surface Duo 3. In the meantime, you might also be interested in the upcoming Surface Laptop 5.
