Surface Duo 2 vs Galaxy Z Fold2: The Ultimate Folding Phone Comparison
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G offers a more polished and feature-rich foldable experience with a superior camera and longer battery life. However, the Surface Duo 2’s dual-screen design and focus on productivity offer a unique appeal for those seeking a different approach to multitasking.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Microsoft Surface Duo 2 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - SM-F916B |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - SM-F916B |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 Sub6 - SM-F916B |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 6 Gbps DL | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 257, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-F916U1 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 22. Released 2021, October 21 | 2020, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, September 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass) | Glass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 184.5 x 145.2 x 5.5 mm Folded: 145.2 x 92.1 x 11 mm | Unfolded: 159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9 mmFolded: 159.2 x 68 x 13.8-16.8 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 284 g (10.02 oz) | 282 g (9.95 oz) |
| Stylus support | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | - |
| Resolution | 1892 x 2688 pixels (~401 ppi density) | 1768 x 2208 pixels (~373 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.3 inches, 204.0 cm2 (~152.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.6 inches, 180.8 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR, 800 nits (peak) | Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Folded position display: 5.8 inches, AMOLED, 1344 x 1892 pixels (4:3) | Cover display: Super AMOLED, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 6.23 inches, 816 x 2260 pixels, 25:9 ratio | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 51mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1.0µm TOF 3D, (depth) | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR | 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm | 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| - | 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), dual accelerometer, dual gyro, dual proximity, dual compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| - | Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 23W wired | 25W wired 11W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 4449 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Glacier, Obsidian | Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Thom Browne Edition, Aston Martin Racing Edition |
| Models | - | SM-F916B, SM-F916U, SM-F916U1, SM-F916N, SM-F9160, SM-F916W, SCG05 |
| Price | About 1480 EUR | About 960 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.86 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 81h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.2 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 564907 (v8) GeekBench: 12607 (v4.4), 2715 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Microsoft Surface Duo 2
- Unique dual-screen design
- Excellent multitasking capabilities
- Seamless Microsoft ecosystem integration
- Improved Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Basic camera system
- Shorter battery life
- Higher price point
- Fragile hinge design
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
- Larger, vibrant main display
- Versatile camera system
- Longer battery life
- Established foldable design
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Bulky and heavy design
- Expensive
- Crease in the folding display
- Software can be overwhelming
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Z Fold2 boasts a larger, more vibrant main display and a useful cover screen. The Surface Duo 2’s dual screens, while smaller individually, offer a unique side-by-side multitasking experience. The Z Fold2's 714 nits brightness is a significant advantage in outdoor visibility. The Duo 2's display technology is OLED, offering excellent color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Samsung's Z Fold2 has a clear advantage in the camera department with its versatile triple-lens setup. The Duo 2's camera system is more basic, prioritizing convenience over image quality. The Z Fold2 captures better photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
Performance
While the Snapdragon 865+ in the Z Fold2 is still powerful, the Snapdragon 888 in the Duo 2 offers a slight edge in raw processing power and 5G capabilities. Both phones handle everyday tasks and demanding apps with ease, but the Duo 2's improved chipset provides a smoother experience in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Z Fold2 5G's endurance rating of 81h suggests significantly better battery life than the Surface Duo 2. While the Duo 2's battery life is adequate for a day of moderate use, the Z Fold2 can easily last longer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 if you prioritize a unique dual-screen design, seamless multitasking across two displays, and integration with Microsoft's ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G if you want a more established foldable experience, a better camera system, and longer battery life, along with Samsung's One UI features.