Surface Duo 2 hands-on: Microsoft will get critical about its dual-screen telephone’s cameras | Engadget

As we proceed to attend for Microsoft to launch the Surface Neo, the corporate is already unveiling the second technology of its dual-screen Android telephone. The Surface Duo 2 is a $1,500 system that’s barely thinner than its predecessor and brings some critical digicam enhancements. Specifically, it now has three sensors as an alternative of the lone 11-megapixel digicam used within the last-gen setup. I had an opportunity to take a look at the Duo 2 briefly at a (COVID-safe) demo in New York, and I’m thus far cautiously impressed by its updates.

Microsoft’s demo space wasn’t the very best place to take memorable photographs, however I did check out the Duo 2’s triple lenses on an Xbox controller. I simply switched from the principle digicam to the ultrawide and telephoto choices, and likewise gave Portrait mode a go. I can’t decide the standard of those photographs but, since I may solely view them on the Duo 2’s screens, however I already really feel just like the bugginess I skilled with the unique Surface Duo is usually gone.

That’s not stunning, since one of many greatest points plaguing the Duo’s digicam software program was that it solely had one digicam that sat above the display screen. You needed to flip the telephone in order that the proper facet was going through you whenever you wished to take a selfie, and have the digicam facet face out for different pictures. This meant the system wanted to know which display screen to activate primarily based on the way you have been holding it.

With the triple cameras sitting on the Duo 2’s again/exterior and a 12-megapixel front-facing digicam, there’s now not a have to determine that out. It’s a disgrace, although: There’s additionally now not a solution to take photographs with out having the Duo 2 opened up; for those who’re taking pictures with the rear cameras, you should use the system with each screens going through you.

The cumbersome digicam bump additionally prevents you from flipping one of many screens all the best way over to have each shows lay evenly again to again. I by no means actually cared to do this with the unique Duo because it was too huge to make use of as a makeshift telephone, nevertheless it’s nonetheless disappointing that with this transformation, the Duo 2 will actually largely be utilized in Book mode. It’s now not a phone-tablet hybrid.

I’m shocked at this practical shift, since one of many refinements Microsoft made with the Duo 2 is narrowing the system’s total width. Each panel now measures 5.8 inches as an alternative of 5.6 inches on the unique, for a mixed 8.3-inch display screen versus an 8.1-inch canvas. But they’re additionally taller, with resolutions of 1,344 x 1,892 as an alternative of the older 1,350 x 1,800. This would have made the Duo 2 barely extra phone-like in form, however in particular person I frankly couldn’t inform that it had modified in measurement in any respect.

Speaking of, Microsoft claims that that is the thinnest 5G cell system available on the market. Indeed, at 5.5mm (or 0.21 inches) thick, the Duo 2 is actually modern. The firm additionally launched a slight curve on the internal edges of every display screen — an impact that’s harking back to pages in an open e book. This may probably make it simpler to pull apps throughout screens, which I used to be in a position to do shortly throughout my demo.

Another new function that makes the Duo 2 really feel quicker than the unique is its increased refresh fee. Both panels now run at 90Hz and are purported to be in sync, too. I loaded up Engadget’s web site and expanded it throughout the 2 shows, scrolling frenetically up and down on an article, and the 2 halves of the web page did certainly maintain tempo with one another. I’m used to a 90Hz display screen by now, due to long-term use of the Pixel 5, nevertheless it’s actually a pleasant function to see.

Microsoft additionally added assist for its new Slim Pen 2, which gives haptic suggestions so doodlers or artists can really feel a vibration once they put the stylus to the display screen. It additionally tries to imitate the texture and resistance of pen on paper, and I spent extra time with this on the brand new Surface Laptop Studio than on the Duo 2.

Frankly, the truth that I encountered so few hiccups with the Duo 2 shocked me. The unique Duo was riddled with bugs, and even easy issues like increasing an app to span each shows have been troublesome. During my preview, this went easily. Admittedly, I didn’t spend a lot time with the Duo 2, so I’m nonetheless cautious in regards to the seemingly improved software program, however Microsoft has certainly been engaged on fixing previous points.

That responsiveness may be attributed to the beefy Snapdragon 888 processor that powers the Duo 2, although we’ll must carry out real-world testing to make sure. We’ll additionally have to run our personal battery check to see how lengthy the Duo 2’s 4,449mAh cell lasts, in addition to how profitable Microsoft was at fixing the issues of the unique. I’m curious to see if the brand new triple digicam system and the issues it introduces are a bane or boon to the Duo collection, however for now I’m cautiously optimistic in regards to the second Duo. You can pre-order it now starting at $1,500, and it’ll be obtainable on October twenty first. That stated, I recommend you wait till we are able to evaluate one earlier than spending any cash on a tool that’s nonetheless so novel.

Follow the entire information from Microsoft’s fall Surface occasion proper right here.