Microsoft surprised many when it returned to smartphones in 2019, even though the new device was a dual-screen foldable Android.
The Surface Duo finally arrived the following year, but it had serious hardware shortcomings that were hard to ignore. The second attempt of 2021 was a big step forward, although there is still a long way to go.
A third generation is due soon, but it might not be called Surface Duo or feature separate screens. Or could Microsoft ditch foldable phones altogether? Here’s everything we know at this point.
When will the Surface Duo 3 be released?
With the original Surface Duo finally releasing in September 2020 and its successor arriving in October 2021, you could be forgiven for thinking Microsoft had settled into an annual update cycle – as is the case with most phones. .
However, there was no new Surface Duo in 2022, with Microsoft instead focusing on delivering several software updates for the Duo 2. Ewan Spence of Forbes suggested in May 2022 that it would now be two years between generations.
But if Windows Central’s January 2023 report on its cancellation turns out to be true, author Zac Bowden says its book-style replacement is “unlikely to be ready in time for this fall.”
A late 2024 release now seems to be the target, but could the project be canceled altogether? In a May 2023 Windows Central article, Bowden states “it doesn’t look like Microsoft has the resources to fully invest in this vision.”
For the Duo 3 (or any Microsoft foldable phone) to arrive late next year, it’s going to “need all of Microsoft’s significant Android software teams to support any future vision”. At the moment, the device is temporarily “on standby”.
How much will the Surface Duo 3 cost?
Pricing is usually one of the last product details to be revealed, so it’s no surprise that the cost of the Duo 3 remains a mystery. However, we can still use the pricing for the first two generations as a rough guide:
- Surface Duo – From $1,399 / £1,349
- Surface Duo 2 – From $1,499 / £1,349
The Duo 3 landing around the same price seems most likely, but that could all change if the redesign rumors turn out to be true. Windows Central suggests the Duo 3 will be dropped in favor of a book-style design similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which could push the price even higher.
Author Zac Bowden also said the company is “looking forward to expanding its lineup of Android smartphone offerings,” which could include a more affordable foldable or standard smartphone. A previous Windows Central article from 2022 reported that a mid-range version of the Duo 2 had been considered and even briefly listed on eBay.
What to expect from the Surface Duo 3
The biggest news so far comes from Windows Central’s Zac Bowden, who said that Microsoft has abandoned plans to release the Surface Duo 3. He expects it to be replaced by a book-style foldable, similar to Galaxy Z Fold 4, Vivo X Fold and Honor Magic Vs.
Rather than the current dual-screen design, that would mean a full-sized external phone screen that opens to reveal a small tablet inside. It could technically still be marketed as the Surface Duo, but a name change would be likely.
Usually, we’d take news like this with a pinch of salt, but Bowden has such a solid track record for Surface news, it’s entirely possible that it will end up happening.
No specs have been revealed at this point, but the article says prior patents such as the one below will not become the final product:
The device should still run Android, and it should be at least Android 13 when it launches. But Zac Bowden also says Microsoft is trying to further differentiate its version of Android from that found on other phones.
A custom Microsoft launcher is already pre-installed on both generations of the Surface Duo, but the company wants to provide an Apple-style ecosystem experience between Microsoft phones and Windows 11 devices. There may even be new regular smartphones to help endure this.
In that same Windows Central article, Bowden says that Microsoft had already finalized a dual-screen Surface Duo 3 before scrapping it. It reportedly featured upgrades including larger screens with thinner bezels and wireless charging, making it a significant improvement over the Duo 2.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It’s important not to read too much into a single report, so the prospect of a Surface Duo 3 upgrade in the market shouldn’t be entirely ruled out. But it now seems likely that Microsoft will switch to this dual-screen design.
We’ll update this article one more time on future foldables from Microsoft.
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