Microsoft’s subsequent Surface Duo might need a very foldable display screen

Microsoft has reportedly scrapped plans for a dual-screen Surface Duo 3 and is shifting to a very foldable design as a substitute. Windows Central reports that the subsequent Surface Duo might be extra like gadgets just like the Vivo X Fold or Honor’s Magic Vs, after Microsoft reportedly spent a yr prototyping and experimenting with its present dual-screen design.

A Surface Duo 3 was reportedly deliberate for the tip of 2023 with the everyday dual-screen design and narrower and taller shows, wi-fi charging, and different design adjustments. Microsoft has reportedly scrapped that design to completely concentrate on bringing a foldable show to the Surface Duo.

Microsoft initially resisted a very foldable show for the Surface Duo, preferring glass as a substitute. “It wasn’t difficult for us to realize that taking a screen and folding it wasn’t the right option for this product,” defined Steven Bathiche, who oversees {hardware} innovation for Surface and different Microsoft {hardware}, in an interview with The Verge in 2020. “We wanted glass. We wanted glass that wouldn’t scratch because we also wanted to give you a pen.”

Bathiche and the Surface group additionally wished a 360-degree hinge for the Surface Duo, however Windows Central says the really foldable Surface Duo will embody a 180-degree hinge like most foldable gadgets.

All of this implies we’re unlikely to see a brand new Surface Duo this yr, which might imply greater than two years will move till Microsoft updates its Android-powered handset. The Surface Duo 2 launched in October 2021 to combined evaluations. The value, irritating bugs, and awkward type issue had been highlighted in my colleague Dan Seifert’s evaluate, however after Microsoft fastened a bunch of software program points, it grew to become Dan’s favourite machine of the yr.

If Microsoft doesn’t ship a brand new Surface Duo this yr, it might launch a special kind of Android telephone as a substitute. Windows Central reviews that Microsoft has been experimenting with extra conventional slab smartphone designs that would ship as extra of a Surface telephone product.

Microsoft often experiments with many {hardware} tasks that by no means see the sunshine of day, so it’s not clear whether or not we’ll even see a real Surface telephone emerge. But when you’re inquisitive about a brand new Surface Duo, it seems such as you’ll be ready some time for the subsequent one to reach.