I agree with you 100%-nobody can convince me otherwise that Microsoft was truly onto something with the Duo. I still own both generations and want to keep using the Duo 2 as my daily driver, even though I also have the Fold 6 and Pixel 7 Pro. The multitasking capabilities remain unmatched, with bigger, more usable screens in such a compact form factor. Seeing you drop a Duo video in 2025 still got me excited!
The concept from Microsoft with the Duo 1 & 2 was perfection for productivity users. They really hit the usability factor out of the park with these devices. A mobile dual screen system was genius! It was a shame the Duo 3 never made it into production. I would have bought that right away to go with my duo of Duos!
Still daily driving my Duo 2. Had to 3D print a back housing for it after the glass cracked badly and I couldn't find a replacement anywhere in the world. I'll use this thing until it gives up living. No other phone comes close to it in usability and multitasking. And let's not even get started at how much of an emulation powerhouse it is with it's two screens. You can emulate both desk and handheld consoles perfectly with it, from the old NES to the 3DS and everything in between.
@death_au Can't send links over TH-cam comments, but the model I used is available on thingiverse and was uploaded by spen15 on November 5th 2024. As for the earpiece, as long as you are careful with the little cable that's glued to the inside of the back panel and put it back in place with the 3D printed part after removing the glass, it'll keep working normally.
It amazes me how ahead of the curve Microsoft really was with the Duo series. Too bad they could not keep it going. I would still like to see an actual dual screen Android phone and what could be done with that with current tech out there.
After jumping to a pixel fold I found myself back to my duo 2 after 1 year. Had battery issue at the beginning but it goes real better after 2 weeks. Now using it again as daily device and feel incredibly productive compare to my pixel fold. Will use it till it dies. Duo 2 forever!!
I'm still keeping mine, despite also having issues with battery life. I mostly keep it as an ebook reader and for nostalgia. Really wish they kept it up with this form factor and marketed it better. I don't multi-task nearly as much with the 9 Pro Fold as I do on the Surface Duo 2.
@@juancharry1457No, it's not. In terms of hardware, foldable screens are more expensive to repair and not as long lasting. In terms of software, there are still lots of apps that can't do native screen splitting.
Thank you Shane for the big up to the Duo. Reassuring to hear from you that it still has relevance despite the quirks. I wish I had the confidence and skills to upgrade the OS to 15 but I daren't risk screwing it up!
Shane, you're the king of the surface duo. The view numbers will speak volumes of this. More please. Perhaps give us a monthly updates on SD2 and things like the W11 integration etc. there is still a tonne of loyal SD followers who would love to see this!
Binge-watched your surface duo videos on my Pixel Fold 1st gen.....and got so much enthusiasm for the duo, i decided to get ine for myself, and so got a mint Duo 2, Slim pen 2 and Pen cover (brilliant invention) for just over £300 all-in. Sim card came out the Fold and into the Duo 2, installed GCam and put my fold in a drawer.....that was 3 months ago, and have been daily driving the Duo 2 every day since. Those who want to use their Duos......will use their Duo's and enjoy doing so. Its not for everyone, but there certainly seems to be a lot of love still for this device. Love it....thanks for the content Shane 👌🏻👌🏻 and hope you manage to get a new battery somehow for your Duo 2 👍🏻
I use my Duo 2 as a companion every day, firstly as an IRL streamer, i take advantage of 2 screens by having one displaying the chat and the other one displaying a Discord channel with my moderators. And when I'm travelling, I use the Duo or Duo 2 as a GPS/ media station and the large screen + the many positions (postures) to olace it however is the most convenient. Perfect secondary devise (but could easily be my main device in fact, in many ways)
A15 breathed new life into my Duo 1 and I also changed the launcher. I just wish it held up over time like my Book 2. Linux Mint also breathed new life into it 🍃 💚 Thank you Mr. Panay for these unique devices!🎉
After using your previous video to update the OS to A15 I've been using Duo 1 & 2 again. I just prefer the experience so much more over the Google Fold. If I had your video making skills I would continue to put content out for this device😂. Love your work, great video!
The beauty with Android with the right chip is that you can load the latest version on it if enough ppl care about it. There are quite a many. Yours was the one that got me to extend my SD1 from A12L to A13 then A14 and soon A15. You might not know it but Octopi Launcher kinda blew up too when you mentioned it and it's excellent on the SD1. I'm not the last one who'll have people see my device and wonder if it's the latest new thing. Appreciate the Surface Duo content. From Singapore.
Still use it daily. No phone even today can match its multi-tasking. Feel good about Microsoft nailing this concept and at the same time feel sad they did not believe in it after 2 iterations. Should have definitely come out with one final version namely the Duo 3. Grateful to MS for the Duo and only if Neo could have seen the light of day, it would be awesome.
Surfaces duo 2 masterpiece, no one Can match with it, ten days ago, I got a new one, how I love it, like I love palm treo 650 ever, thank you microsoft.
i still loved my surface duo 1. sad had to part ways with them twice. had 1 for a year and drop it, and than bought another use one and my kid broke it ,cant find a place to repair it. i wish microsoft still make them.
I still have my actively used Duo 1, but this year I've been messing with the Duo 2 more as well. Forever a fantastic tablet/secondary device/mini computer, apparently still not a great phone. Also I swear the Duo 2 (or at least mine) has some touch responsiveness issues...
The greatest phone I had in my life was the surface duo and I pray every day that Microsoft or any other vendor will produce a new device with separate screens instead of the stupid foldables. For me it was a great daily and after installing os15 I can use it longer than expected. Thanks for the nice tutorial and guide. I don't want to put it in my desk and don't lose the hope. Cheers
Mine died a few months ago. I went in to sulk mode as i loved it so much. Just bought a cheap phone as nothing compares in terms of "what clicked for me." Loved the video
If the Duo were still getting updates and had a better camera I would still be using it. I have my OPO 1 and love it but man, nothing quite like the Duo.
Just this week bought my first SD1 as a secondary device, and couldn't agree more. Been ios since the first HTC Droid, and this form factor and deep office functionality is so on point I'm considering finding a SD2 for a daily drive and leaving ios for first time in a decade. I'm not one to attempt desktop things on a phone and so far the SD1 runs what I need it to just fine.
Still using Duo 1 as my only phone. No battery problems, knock on wood. I don't do much with photos so it's a non issue for me. Still works great and is a perfect match for my use cases since I mostly use my phone like a portable tablet. Even just yesterday a stranger saw it and asked me about it. Back in the day it was the best conversation starter.
I still daily mine, but the hinge and charge port are failing at this point, and the battery isn't holding charge near as well, so I'm wondering if some kinda update nuked our battery.
Wd 40 for metal does the job for hinges. I rock my Duo 2 since it's launch. Got a Fold 6 and returned it. Disable some of the Microsoft and Google apps (like Teams, Bing, MSN, Company Portal, Game Pass, Google TV, etc) that you don't use. It will help with battery life and feel snappier.
I used my Duo 2 until this July when the thumb reader broke off of it. I went back and forth between an iPhone and my Duo 1 until I decided to just deal with having to use the code to open the phone. Having to remove the sim card to reset the duo 1 all the time got old really fast. I finally broke down and bought a refurb Galaxy Fold 4 and it's...fine. I still miss using my Duo and Duo 2. I always preferred how my Duo felt in the hand than the Duo 2, but obviously the camera and speed makes the 2 way better. Every time I grab it to read or mess around I'm reminded how much I loved it and also how frustrating its flaws are.
They released Duo 1 with MASSIVE bug issues. That was the death blow. M$ should have learned a lesson but probably wont. The Duo wasnt the problem, the lack of testing before release was. Luv'd my Duo 1
Surface Duo 2 is still my daily driver. It has been very fast since I got a new one in great condition from Japan last year. It's a great multitasking phone
Continuously daily driving the OG Surface Duo since 2021...no regrets. Battery life still great. Really wish I'd bought a spare when Amazon still had stock and they got down to $236. Regrets.
Still amazing. It feels like they were 1 generation away from perfecting it. Full dual screens with smaller beezles. 1 to 120 refresh rate. New chip. Wireless charging. And the hardware is complete. Another year on the software maybe another 2 and it's complete. Most of the work is done. I use my surface duo purely for a mini laptop. Now that would of been special dual boot windows and android. It's what they should do with their surface pro line up the tablet pcs.
Bought a locked Surface Duo 1 for $400 a couple of years ago. I use it as my daily driver as a tablet. I love the ability to open paired apps (one on each screen) and also reading in book mode on Kindle. The battery life is pretty poor these days but I still love the device and haven't found a replacement. I don't need a folding phone but would love to see a folding tablet with a sight larger form factor to use in book mode for media consumption. Still waiting for my Surface Neo!
Got the OnePlus Open after my SD2 lower hinge started to damage and get close to snapping (again! I might add, had two SD1s and they both snapped at the lower hinge forcing me to get replacements, the body carbon is just so thin there that when I was daily driving it, I think my jeans just kept slowly rubbing the material away til the wire exposed). Needless to say, I started using my SD2 as like a in house backup/e-reader AND YES... THE DUAL SCREENS FEEL SO NATURAL! I really do wish as well that MS stuck with the design but it is what it is.
Still use it daily (though it kinda lives in battery saver mode now). Still nothing like it. I wish Microsoft (or some third party) had've continued with the form factor and refined the software some more...
As a ex surface duo now fold 5 user i wish they could implement the dual screen software into the new fold phones and have it act like the duo it just works so much better.
'Serious' Duo users don't use it for the camera; or even the phone. The separate screens are the thing, the essence of using it! I agree it is more intuitive and I don't have the paranoia of screen fold cracking or breaking. The quirks are frustrating if you are driving, when screens disappear or rotate randomly or touch just stops working.
Would still take the Surface Duo over any foldable screen phone all day. The fact that I don't have to worry about screen splitting incompatibility with any apps is an absolute win.
I completely agree with you. But the reason why I don't use my SD2 in everyday life is a little bit different: the camera. If the camera was as powerful as my P8P's, I would continue to use the SD2. The concept with the two screens is brilliant, I miss that every day when switching apps on the P8P. It's a mystery to me why so few people find the SD2 as 🆒as I do 😊
I miss my Duo 2. I have owned 3 foldables since, but I do not use any of them like I used to use my Duo 2, which is similar to how you were showing in this video.
I put my sim in my duo 2 here and there. I will say the battery is a big issue that keeps it from being permanently in my pocket. I love the form factor and wish someone would continue it.
Still have my Duo 2 as my daily driver. Battery life stinks. Copilot should become the new Cortana and digital assistant. Swiftkey should have handwriting capabilities to work with the surface pen (missed opportunity). I've stopped using the default camera app via Shane Craigs video on how to install a pixel camera app. I wish they truly experimented with the possibilities of this hardware. Love your work, Shane.
Whats amazing to me is I got the surface duo to replace my axon m. I still occasionally throw my sim in the axon m to keep it functional. Never did get the duo 2 because the original one is still very functional and fast too. My daily driver today is the pixel fold and I am very happy and satisfied with it. The duo however (which is very very capable by the way), goes with me everyday along with my pixel. The pixel is my main number while the duo which is my second line and what I like to call my pocket laptop. I think my duo is going to run for a long time.
I got the Duo 1 when it first came an upgraded to Duo 2. I have used both as daily driver, I sure don't know what I will do when this Duo 2 dies? These are the best thing ever!
I think LG did the better implementation of the Dual Screen concepts. The screens aspect ratio makes the device more one hand friendly in "phone" mode (looks like the Pixel 9 Fold). The software is better/more stable (with wide view app every app can be spammed across) as it has the gamepad mode for any games. Obviously the gap is bigger but this is because it's removable. It would actually be interesting if an OEM would make one that is permanently 2 screen with a Folding phone like hinge.
Watched this on my Duo 2 playing cod mobile on the bottom screen. And I'm not sure if you mentioned it, but the 888 is pretty competitive with the tensor G4 so you should have done a gaming comparison too
It's so weird. When the Duo 2 came out, I was lucky enough to get a unit. However, only only now that whenever I use it in public (to pay with Google wallet) people got "wow that's a great phone!". The fold Samsung devices reset the market. Luckily, my battery life remains great. And speed seems to OK for me, though it's not as snappy at other devices. Totally agree with using it as a phone with one hand!
I still use the OG Surface Duo as a work phone. It is getting pretty slow and the camera is awful for anything but basic pictures or scanning documents, but the dual-screen concept is hard to beat for on-the-go multitasking. Also, the built-in Phone Link is outstanding when paired to my work Windows PC or my personal Surface Pro X. Just when Microsoft was getting their act together, they pulled the plug. Very frustrating.
Fully agree, just took my sim out of my Duo 1 due to the slowest of the device now on a business trip this month, now using the Honor magic v3 which is good but nothing beats the productivity of the Duo
WEIRD! Did exactly the same thing earlier today - charged-up my old SD2 and literally drooled over it's classic and exceptional profile. With it's magnetic Stylus always on-hand it was just a dream to use. But top hinge got 'manky' and battery-drain unacceptable. Just a real shame :( My One+ Open is nice, but seriously miss my SD2... EDIT: Just installed Octopi Launcher on it - buttery smooth!! Man! This is still such a good mobile; contemplating getting another new one if I could find one. Having the stylus at your fingertips everytime you open it is just so efficient. Unlike the Open Stylus - I rarely use it as it can't be attached to the mobile - sucks :(
I like my Fold 5 but..... I still miss my Duo 1. It's my Windows 11 ARM test device for now, so it still gets its monthly use, but I wish I could use it daily again. I loved the hardware so much. I'm looking into buying a Duo 2 though. Just to own it.
Using my duo 2 still for work, Teams and Outlook work great when spanned across both screens or at the same time. Was furious on Microsoft for ditching them, but if they will release a 3rd one id might reconsider ^.^
I have a Pixel 7 Pro for phone calls and photos. I use my Duo 2 for everything else. I virtually never use my tablet because the dual screen Duo 2 is so good for productivity. I will keep on using it until the battery dies.
I'm waiting for the Oppo N5... Now I need to decide on a new device:) What do you recommend for SD2 users? We love the dual-screen functionality and power, and I don't want to lose that ;)
Strange you are seeing slow issues with the duo I don't have the issues. I have an issue with Facebook messenger not swiping up but no issues with speed. Battery issue for you is strange to as again no issue with mine still get a day our of it only time it drains is when editing a video. Great to see you using duo again I still love the phone and when I moved way I missed the multitasking and productivity of this phone. Microsoft defo had something with the duo but unfortunately we will not see it advance into what it could have become.
I currently switch back and forth between my SD2 and a Pixel 8 pro. SD2 for daily use, the pixel more for weekends or rough duty adventures where it is more durable and takes better pictures. Really wish the duo had the call screening features of the Pixel.
I am currently using my Surface Duo 2 fulltime, as my Pixel Fold has gone for repairs, the ribbon is being replaced in Colombo while i am on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. My battery is quite fine. But i am very concerned about the lack of security updates and how this makes my passwords and data vulnerable. Hope to get my Pixel Fold back soon!
Loving this review, so thoughtful of you to post it. Is that is new hair style your rocking now days? Hum, come to think of it I seem to have missed any recent vids from you. Sadly I never used it much. But this video is making me go pick the duo 2 back up today and add it to my carry bag. Heck, I even noted some time stamp frames to try a few of the duo 2 features you pointed out so a big ‘thank you’. Rocking the fold 5 and saw no reason to change to fold 6. Will wait for fold 7. The memory bank is a bit low at the moment. Had another fold phone…axon or some such thing. It would span characters a bit from one screen to another thus somewhat removing the gap effect which dropped characters when spanning an app viewing text. An issue MS never addressed…sadly. Not a clue if the ‘under the hood’ coding used on that Axon (thinking it was an att sold phone) could be added to the duo code though if so it would make the duo a rock star…well subject to the age of the duo tech and old OS of the duo. I just don’t understand why MS did not pickup and run with that feature. Heck if that feature could further have a toggle button to turn it off and on that would be about as perfect as one could get on a two screen device with a gap in the middle. Ok, I am really for the review of that long gone game with the big ball you rotate and try to save the cities from being destroyed by aliens ships lol. Loved that game SO MUCH. Thanks again Shane you got my morning off to a good start.
I assume stuff like the TH-cam Music app are based on aspect ratio, and only go into that mode if the screen is wider than it is high. I will never understand why Google went that way with the Fold 2. Not that I ever switched from SD2 😅
What's weird is that when the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launched, several apps like TH-cam and TH-cam Music showed their tablet layout anytime you were on the inner screen. Then they were updated and that stopped.
so Microsoft made it possible to open an app in the screen you click it on but if you do that on your secondary monitor on Windows the app opens on your main monitor for no reason at all
I've had multiple galaxy folds, the oneplus open, the pixel fold 1 and pro 9 fold.. both surface duo's and I would take the duo 2 over any of them if it were updated. Maybe throw on a tiny screen on the front to read notifications without having to open it and it would be perfect.
I have always considered the Duo to be the superior form factor among foldable devices. If I ever come across a Duo 2 with 512GB, I will undoubtedly replace my Fold6.
I also try from time to time how it works but do not have time nor patience to use it seriously again as my "first phone"... But it has a huge portion of nostalgy, it is a pity there has been no successor...
Still using mine and no issues so far. Battery life could be better (charging once a day), but that was more or less how it was before Microsoft made the wrong decision (in my opinion) on the future of Duo.
The split screen nature of the device is the only thing I miss. Its a shame that nobody has created a launcher that behaves similar. Like. Why can't we see our home screen and have our apps take up the other half of the screen on another foldable?
Everytime I see my Duo is just kinda bums me out. I'll occasionally boot up an old device to relive the experience but since I have one broken screen I'll never really be able to experience it again.
I agree with you 100%-nobody can convince me otherwise that Microsoft was truly onto something with the Duo. I still own both generations and want to keep using the Duo 2 as my daily driver, even though I also have the Fold 6 and Pixel 7 Pro. The multitasking capabilities remain unmatched, with bigger, more usable screens in such a compact form factor. Seeing you drop a Duo video in 2025 still got me excited!
Yes, yes, yes, the same here. I have the one plus open and the fold 6 but the duo 2 is still the best for me. To bad that Microsoft killed it.
I agree. I have the Fold 6 the Flip6 and the One Plus Open and the Duo2 is still well used because of the two non folding screens
Pls sell me the duo 1❤
That’s some odd phrasing in that first sentence.
Duo will always be the goat to me
Is it dead yet?
🤣😂
The camera is worse than the Lumia 950XL I had in 2015...
The concept from Microsoft with the Duo 1 & 2 was perfection for productivity users. They really hit the usability factor out of the park with these devices. A mobile dual screen system was genius! It was a shame the Duo 3 never made it into production. I would have bought that right away to go with my duo of Duos!
Still daily driving my Duo 2. Had to 3D print a back housing for it after the glass cracked badly and I couldn't find a replacement anywhere in the world. I'll use this thing until it gives up living. No other phone comes close to it in usability and multitasking. And let's not even get started at how much of an emulation powerhouse it is with it's two screens. You can emulate both desk and handheld consoles perfectly with it, from the old NES to the 3DS and everything in between.
Do you have a link to the 3D model? Does it allow phone mode? I had a bumper case, but it broke...
@death_au Can't send links over TH-cam comments, but the model I used is available on thingiverse and was uploaded by spen15 on November 5th 2024. As for the earpiece, as long as you are careful with the little cable that's glued to the inside of the back panel and put it back in place with the 3D printed part after removing the glass, it'll keep working normally.
@@SonicMan2007 Thanks. Apparently, Thingiverse search sucks, but I was able to find it with Google. Thanks for the heads up on the cable, too.
I still daily drive my duo1, nothing can replace the experience imho, and it still "wow" peoples 😅
Agreed. And as time passes, people forgot it existed (even when it was new, the device was niche) so it wowes even more ^^
I'm using my surface duo 2 everyday. I totally agree 100% that Microsoft should release surface duo 3.
It amazes me how ahead of the curve Microsoft really was with the Duo series. Too bad they could not keep it going. I would still like to see an actual dual screen Android phone and what could be done with that with current tech out there.
After jumping to a pixel fold I found myself back to my duo 2 after 1 year. Had battery issue at the beginning but it goes real better after 2 weeks. Now using it again as daily device and feel incredibly productive compare to my pixel fold. Will use it till it dies. Duo 2 forever!!
Are 8gig of ram enough to usw it as a primary phone?
I'm still keeping mine, despite also having issues with battery life. I mostly keep it as an ebook reader and for nostalgia. Really wish they kept it up with this form factor and marketed it better. I don't multi-task nearly as much with the 9 Pro Fold as I do on the Surface Duo 2.
Yes!!! Another Surface Duo video. Long live Duo and Duo2.
Still use my Duo 2 daily. No other foldable currently on the market interests me.
100% Correct!
Is not the same experience with a Samsung Fold?
@@juancharry1457No, it's not. In terms of hardware, foldable screens are more expensive to repair and not as long lasting. In terms of software, there are still lots of apps that can't do native screen splitting.
I still use mine on wifi only. No battery problems. Such a great phone!
Thank you Shane for the big up to the Duo. Reassuring to hear from you that it still has relevance despite the quirks. I wish I had the confidence and skills to upgrade the OS to 15 but I daren't risk screwing it up!
Thanks Shane for giving us an update every once in a while. I believe u were the Duo’s biggest fan. Loved your videos. Great going
Shane, you're the king of the surface duo. The view numbers will speak volumes of this. More please. Perhaps give us a monthly updates on SD2 and things like the W11 integration etc. there is still a tonne of loyal SD followers who would love to see this!
Binge-watched your surface duo videos on my Pixel Fold 1st gen.....and got so much enthusiasm for the duo, i decided to get ine for myself, and so got a mint Duo 2, Slim pen 2 and Pen cover (brilliant invention) for just over £300 all-in.
Sim card came out the Fold and into the Duo 2, installed GCam and put my fold in a drawer.....that was 3 months ago, and have been daily driving the Duo 2 every day since.
Those who want to use their Duos......will use their Duo's and enjoy doing so. Its not for everyone, but there certainly seems to be a lot of love still for this device.
Love it....thanks for the content Shane 👌🏻👌🏻 and hope you manage to get a new battery somehow for your Duo 2 👍🏻
I would even take a wide screen nonfolding slab, half a duo. LOVE that wide screen.
I use my Duo 2 as a companion every day, firstly as an IRL streamer, i take advantage of 2 screens by having one displaying the chat and the other one displaying a Discord channel with my moderators.
And when I'm travelling, I use the Duo or Duo 2 as a GPS/ media station and the large screen + the many positions (postures) to olace it however is the most convenient.
Perfect secondary devise (but could easily be my main device in fact, in many ways)
Duo1 will always be the goat ipad killer to me. Still in my bag as a WiFi companion device.
Duo is the best assistance tool for my daily work grind. The durability of a singular folding screen is always in question unlike 2 physical screens.
A15 breathed new life into my Duo 1 and I also changed the launcher. I just wish it held up over time like my Book 2. Linux Mint also breathed new life into it 🍃 💚 Thank you Mr. Panay for these unique devices!🎉
I so miss the Duo's much wider screen, it was a game changer on it's own IMO.
After using your previous video to update the OS to A15 I've been using Duo 1 & 2 again. I just prefer the experience so much more over the Google Fold.
If I had your video making skills I would continue to put content out for this device😂. Love your work, great video!
The beauty with Android with the right chip is that you can load the latest version on it if enough ppl care about it. There are quite a many.
Yours was the one that got me to extend my SD1 from A12L to A13 then A14 and soon A15.
You might not know it but Octopi Launcher kinda blew up too when you mentioned it and it's excellent on the SD1.
I'm not the last one who'll have people see my device and wonder if it's the latest new thing.
Appreciate the Surface Duo content.
From Singapore.
Still use it daily. No phone even today can match its multi-tasking. Feel good about Microsoft nailing this concept and at the same time feel sad they did not believe in it after 2 iterations. Should have definitely come out with one final version namely the Duo 3. Grateful to MS for the Duo and only if Neo could have seen the light of day, it would be awesome.
Surfaces duo 2 masterpiece, no one
Can match with it, ten days ago, I got a new one, how I love it, like I love palm treo 650 ever, thank you microsoft.
i still loved my surface duo 1. sad had to part ways with them twice. had 1 for a year and drop it, and than bought another use one and my kid broke it ,cant find a place to repair it. i wish microsoft still make them.
I still have my actively used Duo 1, but this year I've been messing with the Duo 2 more as well. Forever a fantastic tablet/secondary device/mini computer, apparently still not a great phone. Also I swear the Duo 2 (or at least mine) has some touch responsiveness issues...
Nothing more heart warming to a fellow nerd than a tech closet/drawer/stash of previous devices! ❤
The greatest phone I had in my life was the surface duo and I pray every day that Microsoft or any other vendor will produce a new device with separate screens instead of the stupid foldables. For me it was a great daily and after installing os15 I can use it longer than expected. Thanks for the nice tutorial and guide. I don't want to put it in my desk and don't lose the hope. Cheers
Mine died a few months ago. I went in to sulk mode as i loved it so much. Just bought a cheap phone as nothing compares in terms of "what clicked for me." Loved the video
If the Duo were still getting updates and had a better camera I would still be using it. I have my OPO 1 and love it but man, nothing quite like the Duo.
i miss my duo, i loved that damn phone
Just this week bought my first SD1 as a secondary device, and couldn't agree more. Been ios since the first HTC Droid, and this form factor and deep office functionality is so on point I'm considering finding a SD2 for a daily drive and leaving ios for first time in a decade. I'm not one to attempt desktop things on a phone and so far the SD1 runs what I need it to just fine.
Still using Duo 1 as my only phone. No battery problems, knock on wood. I don't do much with photos so it's a non issue for me. Still works great and is a perfect match for my use cases since I mostly use my phone like a portable tablet. Even just yesterday a stranger saw it and asked me about it. Back in the day it was the best conversation starter.
I still daily mine, but the hinge and charge port are failing at this point, and the battery isn't holding charge near as well, so I'm wondering if some kinda update nuked our battery.
Wd 40 for metal does the job for hinges. I rock my Duo 2 since it's launch. Got a Fold 6 and returned it.
Disable some of the Microsoft and Google apps (like Teams, Bing, MSN, Company Portal, Game Pass, Google TV, etc) that you don't use. It will help with battery life and feel snappier.
I used my Duo 2 until this July when the thumb reader broke off of it. I went back and forth between an iPhone and my Duo 1 until I decided to just deal with having to use the code to open the phone. Having to remove the sim card to reset the duo 1 all the time got old really fast. I finally broke down and bought a refurb Galaxy Fold 4 and it's...fine. I still miss using my Duo and Duo 2. I always preferred how my Duo felt in the hand than the Duo 2, but obviously the camera and speed makes the 2 way better. Every time I grab it to read or mess around I'm reminded how much I loved it and also how frustrating its flaws are.
Hello Shane, nice vid! I have both gen 1 & 2 still loving it!
They released Duo 1 with MASSIVE bug issues. That was the death blow. M$ should have learned a lesson but probably wont. The Duo wasnt the problem, the lack of testing before release was. Luv'd my Duo 1
Surface Duo 2 is still my daily driver. It has been very fast since I got a new one in great condition from Japan last year. It's a great multitasking phone
Non-Duo user. This was interesting and shows how different conoanies can excute different things well. No one has a one stop solution.
It's still my favorite eBook reader
Using the Duo 1 just got it back in October I Love this damn phone by-far my favorite phone of all time!
I'm still daily driving my dou2. I fully agree with you
Continuously daily driving the OG Surface Duo since 2021...no regrets. Battery life still great. Really wish I'd bought a spare when Amazon still had stock and they got down to $236. Regrets.
Still amazing.
It feels like they were 1 generation away from perfecting it.
Full dual screens with smaller beezles.
1 to 120 refresh rate.
New chip.
Wireless charging.
And the hardware is complete.
Another year on the software maybe another 2 and it's complete.
Most of the work is done.
I use my surface duo purely for a mini laptop. Now that would of been special dual boot windows and android.
It's what they should do with their surface pro line up the tablet pcs.
Except duo3 was going to be a single screen😢
Bought a locked Surface Duo 1 for $400 a couple of years ago. I use it as my daily driver as a tablet. I love the ability to open paired apps (one on each screen) and also reading in book mode on Kindle. The battery life is pretty poor these days but I still love the device and haven't found a replacement. I don't need a folding phone but would love to see a folding tablet with a sight larger form factor to use in book mode for media consumption. Still waiting for my Surface Neo!
Got the OnePlus Open after my SD2 lower hinge started to damage and get close to snapping (again! I might add, had two SD1s and they both snapped at the lower hinge forcing me to get replacements, the body carbon is just so thin there that when I was daily driving it, I think my jeans just kept slowly rubbing the material away til the wire exposed). Needless to say, I started using my SD2 as like a in house backup/e-reader AND YES... THE DUAL SCREENS FEEL SO NATURAL! I really do wish as well that MS stuck with the design but it is what it is.
Still use it daily (though it kinda lives in battery saver mode now). Still nothing like it. I wish Microsoft (or some third party) had've continued with the form factor and refined the software some more...
Love my Duo 1!
It´s like my little digital notepad and productivity monster!
As a ex surface duo now fold 5 user i wish they could implement the dual screen software into the new fold phones and have it act like the duo it just works so much better.
'Serious' Duo users don't use it for the camera; or even the phone. The separate screens are the thing, the essence of using it! I agree it is more intuitive and I don't have the paranoia of screen fold cracking or breaking.
The quirks are frustrating if you are driving, when screens disappear or rotate randomly or touch just stops working.
I didn't use it *for* the camera, but I did use the camera out of necessity.
Would still take the Surface Duo over any foldable screen phone all day. The fact that I don't have to worry about screen splitting incompatibility with any apps is an absolute win.
I completely agree with you. But the reason why I don't use my SD2 in everyday life is a little bit different: the camera. If the camera was as powerful as my P8P's, I would continue to use the SD2. The concept with the two screens is brilliant, I miss that every day when switching apps on the P8P. It's a mystery to me why so few people find the SD2 as 🆒as I do 😊
I miss my Duo 2. I have owned 3 foldables since, but I do not use any of them like I used to use my Duo 2, which is similar to how you were showing in this video.
Still using my Duo 2. Can't find an acceptable alternative for me.
I put my sim in my duo 2 here and there.
I will say the battery is a big issue that keeps it from being permanently in my pocket.
I love the form factor and wish someone would continue it.
Still have my Duo 2 as my daily driver. Battery life stinks. Copilot should become the new Cortana and digital assistant. Swiftkey should have handwriting capabilities to work with the surface pen (missed opportunity). I've stopped using the default camera app via Shane Craigs video on how to install a pixel camera app. I wish they truly experimented with the possibilities of this hardware. Love your work, Shane.
Thank for the perspective. Duo 2 is still my daily driver. Battery is still holding 🤞, but I'm looking for a replacement, possibly the Pixel Fold.
Still use my Duo 2 as my main phone. No idea why the Copilot icon is gone on search bar. Did not update the MS Launcher so it cant be an update...
I just took my Duo 1 out of the drawer and OMG. I miss this device so much. It just feels premium and smart and...... Dare I say beautiful.
Whats amazing to me is I got the surface duo to replace my axon m. I still occasionally throw my sim in the axon m to keep it functional. Never did get the duo 2 because the original one is still very functional and fast too. My daily driver today is the pixel fold and I am very happy and satisfied with it. The duo however (which is very very capable by the way), goes with me everyday along with my pixel. The pixel is my main number while the duo which is my second line and what I like to call my pocket laptop. I think my duo is going to run for a long time.
I got the Duo 1 when it first came an upgraded to Duo 2. I have used both as daily driver, I sure don't know what I will do when this Duo 2 dies? These are the best thing ever!
I love my Z fold6, but I still miss the way my Surface duo worked...
I think LG did the better implementation of the Dual Screen concepts. The screens aspect ratio makes the device more one hand friendly in "phone" mode (looks like the Pixel 9 Fold). The software is better/more stable (with wide view app every app can be spammed across) as it has the gamepad mode for any games. Obviously the gap is bigger but this is because it's removable. It would actually be interesting if an OEM would make one that is permanently 2 screen with a Folding phone like hinge.
Watched this on my Duo 2 playing cod mobile on the bottom screen. And I'm not sure if you mentioned it, but the 888 is pretty competitive with the tensor G4 so you should have done a gaming comparison too
Still using it daily and still love it
It's so weird. When the Duo 2 came out, I was lucky enough to get a unit. However, only only now that whenever I use it in public (to pay with Google wallet) people got "wow that's a great phone!". The fold Samsung devices reset the market.
Luckily, my battery life remains great. And speed seems to OK for me, though it's not as snappy at other devices. Totally agree with using it as a phone with one hand!
I still use the OG Surface Duo as a work phone. It is getting pretty slow and the camera is awful for anything but basic pictures or scanning documents, but the dual-screen concept is hard to beat for on-the-go multitasking. Also, the built-in Phone Link is outstanding when paired to my work Windows PC or my personal Surface Pro X. Just when Microsoft was getting their act together, they pulled the plug. Very frustrating.
Fully agree, just took my sim out of my Duo 1 due to the slowest of the device now on a business trip this month, now using the Honor magic v3 which is good but nothing beats the productivity of the Duo
WEIRD! Did exactly the same thing earlier today - charged-up my old SD2 and literally drooled over it's classic and exceptional profile. With it's magnetic Stylus always on-hand it was just a dream to use. But top hinge got 'manky' and battery-drain unacceptable. Just a real shame :(
My One+ Open is nice, but seriously miss my SD2...
EDIT: Just installed Octopi Launcher on it - buttery smooth!! Man! This is still such a good mobile; contemplating getting another new one if I could find one. Having the stylus at your fingertips everytime you open it is just so efficient. Unlike the Open Stylus - I rarely use it as it can't be attached to the mobile - sucks :(
I miss windows phone more than this.
I like my Fold 5 but..... I still miss my Duo 1. It's my Windows 11 ARM test device for now, so it still gets its monthly use, but I wish I could use it daily again. I loved the hardware so much. I'm looking into buying a Duo 2 though. Just to own it.
My dog cleaned up. Very nice sir
Using my duo 2 still for work,
Teams and Outlook work great when spanned across both screens or at the same time.
Was furious on Microsoft for ditching them, but if they will release a 3rd one id might reconsider ^.^
I have a Pixel 7 Pro for phone calls and photos. I use my Duo 2 for everything else. I virtually never use my tablet because the dual screen Duo 2 is so good for productivity. I will keep on using it until the battery dies.
I still use my Duo 2. I switch between that and my iPhone. Was really disappointed with the zFold 6.
I'm waiting for the Oppo N5... Now I need to decide on a new device:) What do you recommend for SD2 users? We love the dual-screen functionality and power, and I don't want to lose that ;)
Strange you are seeing slow issues with the duo I don't have the issues. I have an issue with Facebook messenger not swiping up but no issues with speed. Battery issue for you is strange to as again no issue with mine still get a day our of it only time it drains is when editing a video. Great to see you using duo again I still love the phone and when I moved way I missed the multitasking and productivity of this phone. Microsoft defo had something with the duo but unfortunately we will not see it advance into what it could have become.
FX: claps! Duo still in use here on Android 15 with Duo-DE! 8)
I ran Octopi Launcher and it'll be a great fit for the different modes the Duo is capable of.
I currently switch back and forth between my SD2 and a Pixel 8 pro. SD2 for daily use, the pixel more for weekends or rough duty adventures where it is more durable and takes better pictures. Really wish the duo had the call screening features of the Pixel.
One day I'll try the Surface Duo 2 as a secondary device, such a cool idea of a device
I am currently using my Surface Duo 2 fulltime, as my Pixel Fold has gone for repairs, the ribbon is being replaced in Colombo while i am on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. My battery is quite fine. But i am very concerned about the lack of security updates and how this makes my passwords and data vulnerable. Hope to get my Pixel Fold back soon!
Loving this review, so thoughtful of you to post it. Is that is new hair style your rocking now days? Hum, come to think of it I seem to have missed any recent vids from you.
Sadly I never used it much. But this video is making me go pick the duo 2 back up today and add it to my carry bag. Heck, I even noted some time stamp frames to try a few of the duo 2 features you pointed out so a big ‘thank you’.
Rocking the fold 5 and saw no reason to change to fold 6. Will wait for fold 7. The memory bank is a bit low at the moment. Had another fold phone…axon or some such thing. It would span characters a bit from one screen to another thus somewhat removing the gap effect which dropped characters when spanning an app viewing text. An issue MS never addressed…sadly.
Not a clue if the ‘under the hood’ coding used on that Axon (thinking it was an att sold phone) could be added to the duo code though if so it would make the duo a rock star…well subject to the age of the duo tech and old OS of the duo.
I just don’t understand why MS did not pickup and run with that feature. Heck if that feature could further have a toggle button to turn it off and on that would be about as perfect as one could get on a two screen device with a gap in the middle.
Ok, I am really for the review of that long gone game with the big ball you rotate and try to save the cities from being destroyed by aliens ships lol. Loved that game SO MUCH.
Thanks again Shane you got my morning off to a good start.
I assume stuff like the TH-cam Music app are based on aspect ratio, and only go into that mode if the screen is wider than it is high. I will never understand why Google went that way with the Fold 2. Not that I ever switched from SD2 😅
What's weird is that when the Pixel 9 Pro Fold launched, several apps like TH-cam and TH-cam Music showed their tablet layout anytime you were on the inner screen. Then they were updated and that stopped.
@shanecraigtech so odd. But it's google, so little surprises me anymore.
so Microsoft made it possible to open an app in the screen you click it on but if you do that on your secondary monitor on Windows the app opens on your main monitor for no reason at all
This is nothing to do with this video, but are you thinking the one plus 2 will update inner screen/hinge given the issues on the first gen?
I've had multiple galaxy folds, the oneplus open, the pixel fold 1 and pro 9 fold.. both surface duo's and I would take the duo 2 over any of them if it were updated. Maybe throw on a tiny screen on the front to read notifications without having to open it and it would be perfect.
I have always considered the Duo to be the superior form factor among foldable devices. If I ever come across a Duo 2 with 512GB, I will undoubtedly replace my Fold6.
I would love to have a android launcher that mimics the dual screen of the Duo. That would be awesome
I still use mine as a daily. Still love it.
I also try from time to time how it works but do not have time nor patience to use it seriously again as my "first phone"... But it has a huge portion of nostalgy, it is a pity there has been no successor...
Still use my duo 1 when my day ends to read news/socials. Still prefer it to my Fold 4
Still using mine and no issues so far. Battery life could be better (charging once a day), but that was more or less how it was before Microsoft made the wrong decision (in my opinion) on the future of Duo.
The Duo was a great concept and unique in the market. Such a shame Microsoft dropped it.
What do we do now it's been discontinued and will no longe longer receive security updates from Android??
I still use my og Surface Duo for reading and some other things. It is just soooo thin!!!!
The split screen nature of the device is the only thing I miss. Its a shame that nobody has created a launcher that behaves similar. Like. Why can't we see our home screen and have our apps take up the other half of the screen on another foldable?
Still would like a surface duo launcher for current foldables
Everytime I see my Duo is just kinda bums me out. I'll occasionally boot up an old device to relive the experience but since I have one broken screen I'll never really be able to experience it again.
Why did they ditch it so fast? Never really gave it a good chance