Microsoft Surface Duo review: I just want my old phone back

Microsoft Surface Duo review: I just want my old phone back

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The Surface Duo, Microsoft’s dual-screened Android device, goes for a new take on folding-phone design, but in our weeks using it the experience hasn’t been as good as we expected. Here’s what we’ve been struggling with so far.

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50 Comments

  1. Mrdresden on July 30, 2021 at 9:13 pm

    Well obviously there were practically any apps then, nor now, that were optimized for dual screen. The api surface is just now being delivered for developers. I feel like the duo was launched way too early, way before the ecosystem could catch up to the change in form factor



  2. Jamie Mazzeo on July 30, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    Honest feedback.



  3. Mark Hamilton on July 30, 2021 at 9:15 pm

    2:22 really? the front and back screens on at the same time…you’d expect that? how, pray tell, do you use both screens at the same time when it is flipped? plenty to criticise but that one is reaching a bit.



  4. Peter Thomas on July 30, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    Since the update, its been superb,a lot quicker and smoother , its something new, and I love it



  5. Diamond Hanz on July 30, 2021 at 9:17 pm

    Cnet just killed itself



  6. ms p on July 30, 2021 at 9:20 pm

    This guy clearly isn’t a white collar professional who needs a mini portable touchscreen laptop with pen support that can make/receive phone calls…



  7. U.P. dan on July 30, 2021 at 9:21 pm

    I ordered the Nokia 5.4 instead. I’m happy.🧚‍♀️



  8. Derek Vuong on July 30, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    LG v60 does the dual screen so much better. Especially for gaming where you could have a game pad also you could have a regulars phone if you’re hanging out and you don’t need the screen real-estate.



  9. T A on July 30, 2021 at 9:23 pm

    This guy obviously thought this unit was perfect out of the box. It’s obviously not for him.



  10. Yanyin Hau on July 30, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    Thank you for sharing. It is really helpful.



  11. Duane Locsin on July 30, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    Get rid off the two physical separate screens and go foldable screen for the Duo 2 (or Neo) Microsoft.

    Those two screens can easily be done with split screen on Windows 11.
    Also I will take a thicker device to accommodate better camera tech, bigger battery and a third small screen on the other side for that phone display when folded.



  12. Rahul Mahela on July 30, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    Damn that’s an ugly theme… icons r so ugly



  13. A M on July 30, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Simple question… how do I mount this foldable phone in my vehicle???
    I can’t…take it back to the idiots that created it.
    Almost all smart phones can be mounted on a stand and in a vehicle and with a touch
    of a button answer them. These idiots should have designed the phone where you can see the information without opening up the phone.



  14. Fatih Kan on July 30, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    It’s only expensive. Microsoft should price prototypes cheaper. It’s worth to try but it’s not worth to pay $1400.



  15. Duane Locsin on July 30, 2021 at 9:31 pm

    I reckon MS are on to something with the duo. It’s not just a phone it’s people personal computer/communication device.

    Get Win 11, foldable tablet screen, phone screen on the other side potential 3-in-1.



  16. Lowrace Wasantha on July 30, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    This phone 2020 ?



  17. mylongstoryshortned on July 30, 2021 at 9:35 pm

    Yeah, should have just been a windows X device. Non Microsoft Apps/developers seem to hate anything Microsoft… I’m torn between waiting for the second duo, if that comes out or buying it now. A lot of your complaints made me go hmmm 🤔, ehhhh, 😮, & 😒 that’s an android issue.



  18. Aby55 on July 30, 2021 at 9:36 pm

    Those bezels are just criminal



  19. claudine mickey on July 30, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Ahhhh you didn’t get pay now you bad mouth it badddddd



  20. digitallifeforce on July 30, 2021 at 9:38 pm

    Sorry mate. After watching you "review" this product for 8 min – it just turned into this long… drawn out "whine" with lots of complaining with no subjectiveness. Just rename this very partial "review" of the DUO to something like "I can’t…" or "It won’t…" – that seems more appropriate. Very much a waste of time watching this to get info. You and your "big pockets…" Sheesh.



  21. King Cesar on July 30, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    I love this new thing. Just needs a improved Camara sofar



  22. Viva on July 30, 2021 at 9:42 pm

    Damn, sounds like my iphone 8 plus 🙁 Unfortunately, i am not joking. Prolly i need a new iphone?



  23. bowchee on July 30, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    This is the best folding phone design and it really bums me out that people don’t like it and are ultimately going to kill it.



  24. King Cesar on July 30, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    You can trade with robinhood and use tradingview and or youtube. So it works for me during trading



  25. Nikhil Saini on July 30, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    Stores par itne apps available nahi hote jitne website par hote hai mujhe Microsoft Lumia phone Mai koi app installed karne ki jarat nahi Hoti kyu ki har ek app uski personal website se banaya jata hai hum windows Phone me direct hi website par jakar us app ko use kar sakte hai jo hume use karna hai Bina use install kare or is se phone ki storage bhi fill nahi Hoti or ram bhi kam use Hoti hai or website apps se jayada years tak chalti h samjhe dosto apse request hai aap Microsoft mobiles hi use kare or Rahi baat pubg ki to aap pubg ko Microsoft phone Mai use kar sakte ho or wo bhi android or iphons se best tarike se or Sabse best feature Xbox se app pubg se bhi badhiya games khel sakte ho 😎😎



  26. King Cesar on July 30, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    Looking to trade on it from work



  27. ferds814 on July 30, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    Shoulda had windows on it instead of android. I’ll wait for apples version



  28. BigLobedWelder on July 30, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    Checking in to see how this device is handling these days. The price is now quite reasonable. I definitely think the 6GB of RAM was low for the idea of constant multitasking, but also feel like it’s probably generally sufficient. It’s not like you would be trying to run two games together, or a game and a movie. I’d maybe use YouTube while scrolling Facebook, but that would probably be the hardest it was ever working. Anyways, if anyone sees this comment and is still using the device after a year of updates, I’d love to hear how it’s going. Thanks



  29. Vakishna Thayalan on July 30, 2021 at 9:45 pm

    These are all software issues. I think it can be improved upon.



  30. Coco Coco on July 30, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    manufacters r lazy



  31. Ron RR on July 30, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    I hope they follow LG’s dual screen next time. This one is too wide.



  32. Andrew Cooper on July 30, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    Wish they would just bring back the Windows Phone



  33. kakaido on July 30, 2021 at 9:49 pm

    I don’t care about it being one big screen, I would rather Microsoft stick to two screens that aren’t easily damaged. Microsoft if you’re reading this comment please don’t listen to this amateur (I don’t care how long he’s been doing this, he’s out of touch) please keep going in this direction! I know it’s a little rough but this is new tech and I believe this is the future.



  34. Rusty Shackleford on July 30, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    I’m sorry to hear you want your old phone back… did Microsoft force you to buy the duo? Let me know cnet, so I can protect you from the bullies.. now wipe your tears and I’ll get you a juice box.



  35. Qubi Qombo on July 30, 2021 at 9:51 pm

    microsoft woulda make billions if this pose to be windows 10 full version , buh this actually a failure



  36. KickYourAssador Productions on July 30, 2021 at 9:52 pm

    The only real problem with this phone is the fact that when closed it will answer calls on its own.



  37. King Cesar on July 30, 2021 at 9:53 pm

    I love it but the Camara is the only thing… I need to update it. I just started it. Cant wait to trade on it.



  38. Sammy Fuentes on July 30, 2021 at 9:54 pm

    That means is trash 🗑 that’s what you are trying to say? 😂



  39. Duane Locsin on July 30, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    Portrait with foldable screen = tablet
    Portrait folded = phone
    Landscape + keyboard/trackpad case = laptop
    Duo 2 (or Neo) with Windows 11 and Apps potential 3-in-1 device.



  40. nullsmack on July 30, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    How is it now 7 months later?



  41. Gale Houston on July 30, 2021 at 9:55 pm

    this is actually a good place to get a solid review in the comments section, i like tech radar cause they seem to appreciate the technology first, like how 10 years ago we were working with sticks and stones compared to what we have now



  42. Paul Hovey on July 30, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    Early days !!
    Hopefully this will be 110 %



  43. Tree Bear on July 30, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    Lagdroid



  44. Edwin B on July 30, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    how can microsoft fail so much so often? who on earth is in charge there?



  45. Atomic Zombii on July 30, 2021 at 10:00 pm

    I can’t be the only one who thinks it looks like a 3ds



  46. Haneef Khan on July 30, 2021 at 10:02 pm

    You don’t know how to use it. You need to learn how the app works on Duo. Not the other way around.



  47. Jones Mwansa on July 30, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    i need it



  48. Lily Luna Crystal on July 30, 2021 at 10:08 pm

    OH MY GOODNESS- I WANT IT NOWWWWWWW ;^;



  49. gliderrider on July 30, 2021 at 10:09 pm

    You buy something like this to get stuff done. It’s the main reason I haven’t jumped to Samsung. The movie makers offered just can’t compete with iMovie or LumaFusion. Adobe is only rented so they don’t count.



  50. Gerard Musuraca on July 30, 2021 at 10:11 pm

    Great phone/tablet. Most kinks all gone with the latest update.