Microsoft Surface vs. Surface Duo 2: A Deep Dive into Microsoft's Mobile Evolution
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a modern, powerful, and versatile mobile experience, the Surface Duo 2 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888 5G chipset delivers a massive performance boost over the Surface’s Tegra 3, enabling smooth multitasking and demanding applications. While the original Surface remains a historical artifact, the Duo 2 is a genuinely usable device.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Microsoft Surface | Microsoft Surface Duo 2 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 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 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G 6 Gbps DL |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / 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 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, November | 2021, September 22. Released 2021, October 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass) |
| Dimensions | 274.6 x 172 x 9.4 mm (10.81 x 6.77 x 0.37 in) | Unfolded: 184.5 x 145.2 x 5.5 mm Folded: 145.2 x 92.1 x 11 mm |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 680.4 g (1.50 lb) | 284 g (10.02 oz) |
| Built-in kickstand | Stylus support | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1366 x 768 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~148 ppi density) | 1892 x 2688 pixels (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.6 inches, 309.7 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.3 inches, 204.0 cm2 (~152.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR, 800 nits (peak) |
| ClearType technology | Folded position display: 5.8 inches, AMOLED, 1344 x 1892 pixels (4:3) | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra 3 T30 | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | ULP GeForce | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Microsoft Windows RT | Android 11 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 1.2 MP | 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) |
| Video | 720p | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), dual accelerometer, dual gyro, dual proximity, dual compass |
| TV-out MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264 player MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player Photo viewer/editor Microsoft Office 2013 RT | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 23W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion battery, non-removable (31.5 Wh) | Li-Po 4449 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Dark Titanium | Glacier, Obsidian |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 1480 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -82.6dB / Crosstalk -81.7dB | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) | - |
Microsoft Surface
- Historical significance as an early Windows-on-ARM device
- Unique form factor for its time
- Full Windows operating system
- Outdated processor and limited performance
- Poor battery life (estimated)
- Limited app ecosystem compared to Android
Microsoft Surface Duo 2
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 5G processor
- Dual-screen multitasking capabilities
- Fast 23W wired charging
- Higher price point
- Android operating system may not appeal to all users
- Dual-screen form factor requires adaptation
Display Comparison
The original Surface features a contrast ratio of 1324:1, a respectable figure for its time, but lacks the advanced features found in modern displays. The Surface Duo 2, while not explicitly detailing its contrast ratio, benefits from dual 8.3-inch displays, offering significantly more screen real estate. The Duo 2’s displays are likely to utilize OLED technology, providing superior color accuracy and deeper blacks compared to the Surface’s LCD. The dual-screen design fundamentally alters the user experience, enabling enhanced multitasking and content consumption.
Camera Comparison
Context data does not provide camera specifications for the original Surface. Given its age and focus on being a tablet-first device, its camera capabilities were likely basic. The Surface Duo 2, while not a camera-centric device, benefits from a more modern imaging system powered by the Snapdragon 888’s image signal processor. The Duo 2’s camera system is capable of capturing detailed photos and videos, a significant improvement over what the original Surface could offer. Without specific sensor details for either device, a direct comparison is limited, but the Duo 2’s modern ISP provides a clear advantage.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Surface is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 3 T30, a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A9 processor. This chipset, while innovative for its time, is significantly outmatched by the Surface Duo 2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm). The Snapdragon 888 boasts an octa-core configuration (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55), offering a dramatic increase in processing power and efficiency. The 5nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 888 further enhances its thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to a far smoother and more responsive experience on the Duo 2.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the original Surface is not provided. The Surface Duo 2 features 23W wired charging, a feature absent in the original Surface. While the Duo 2’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 888’s improved power efficiency, combined with the 23W charging, allows for faster charging times and potentially longer battery life compared to the original Surface, assuming comparable battery sizes. The faster charging is a significant convenience factor for modern users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Microsoft Surface if you're a collector of early Windows-on-ARM devices or require a legacy system for specific, older software compatibility. Buy the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 if you prioritize a modern Android experience, multitasking capabilities afforded by dual screens, and the performance needed for contemporary apps and games. The Duo 2 is for users who want a pocketable productivity powerhouse.