The Floor Duo was Microsoft’s first foray into smartphones because the ill-fated Home windows Telephone period, and it’s typically been a hit to date.
That wasn’t essentially obvious from the underwhelming unique, however 2021’s second era was an enormous step ahead. Upgrades included a transfer to the flagship Snapdragon 888 chip, 5G connectivity, extra RAM, greater shows and a triple rear cameras. Nevertheless, it’s retained that distinctive dual-screen design.
Greater than a 12 months after it was first launched, this stays the most recent Floor Duo that Microsoft has launched. Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to know.
When was the Floor Duo 2 launched?
- Introduced on 22 September 2021
- On sale from 21 October 2021
The Floor Duo 2 has been on sale for a 12 months, following its launch on 21 October 2021. That was lower than a month after it was introduced, an enormous enchancment on the prolonged delays with the unique.
Microsoft determined towards releasing a Duo 3 at its October 2022 occasion, with the Floor Professional 9, Laptop computer 5 and Studio 2+ all launching as an alternative.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
How a lot does the Floor Duo 2 price?
The handset is offered in Glacier (white) and a brand new Obsidian (black), with a brand new 512GB storage possibility too.
At launch, the Duo 2 began at as the identical worth because it’s predecessor within the UK, however $100 extra within the US. Listed below are all three configurations:
- 128GB storage – £1,349/$1,499
- 256GB storage – £1,429/$1,599.99
- 512GB storage – £1,589/$1,799.99 (in black solely)
Nevertheless, the machine has seen some steep reductions within the UK and US only a few months after being launched. We’d be shocked to see the Duo 2 return to its RRP from these costs anytime quickly:
- 128GB storage – £860/$999.99
- 256GB storage – £940/$1,099.99
- 512GB storage – £1,034/$1,299.99 (in black solely)
We’re individually monitoring the most effective Floor Duo 2 offers within the US and UK (each on contract and SIM-free).
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Floor Duo 2 design & options
There Duo 2 improves on the unique Duo in just a few vital methods. Right here’s what you possibly can anticipate…
Snapdragon 888 5G
The largest bounce is below the hood for the Duo 2, which strikes up from the Snapdragon 855 to the brand new Snapdragon 888 with 5G, which suggests you possibly can anticipate considerably sooner core efficiency and graphics speeds together with larger battery effectivity.
There’s additionally the great addition to 8GB RAM (from the unique Duo’s 6GB), making the handset all of the performance-driven whether or not that with gaming or multitasking throughout demanding apps.
The step up in efficiency specs isn’t a shock given how a lot Microsoft touts the Duo 2’s productiveness advantages. With two shows, Microsoft guarantees the Duo will permit working two apps concurrently, dragging and dropping between screens (in supported apps), creating App Teams for the apps you employ most frequently, word taking and sketching and optmized show experiences with leisure apps corresponding to TikTok, Kindle and Spotify.
In fact, cellular productiveness will get a lift with 5G – whether or not that’s for calls or collaborating on Microsoft 365 or accessing Xbox Sport Move Final and utilizing the Duo as an on-screen controller.
Larger show
The Duo 2 preserves the AMOLED show high quality of the unique Duo, however the panels are bigger. The only panel spans 5.8in (1344×1892) and reaches 8.3in (2688×1892) when totally open, provides a fifth of an inch extra to the unique dimension.
Refresh charges get a lift too – whereas nowhere close to the Galaxy Z Fold 3’s 120Hz, the Duo 2 strikes up from 60Hz to an adaptive 90Hz.
A “look bar” alongside the backbone of the telephone additionally exhibits you all of the important notifications and particulars, together with battery life.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
This was considerably improved in a June 2022 replace, with the likes of WhatsApp and Telegram additionally now supported. As Home windows Central reported, it additionally brings enhancements to how the Slim Pen 2 stylus works and makes the digicam expertise higher.
Larger battery
The unique Duo had a 3,577mAh battery, which it stated may get you as much as 15.5 hours of native video playback, 27 hours of discuss and as much as 10 days of battery life on standby. The Duo 2 positive factors a 4,449mAh battery, with All-Day Battery Life, based on Microsoft. The higher limits of video playback stays at 15.5 hours however discuss time will get a minor bump as much as 28 hours, most.
Microsoft can be introducing 23W Quick Charging (to be offered individually), up from the unique Duo’s 18W.
Triple Digicam
One of many greatest upgrades within the Duo 2 is the triple digicam arrange with a 16Mp ultra-wide (f/2.2 aperture, 110-degrees), 12Mp telephoto (f/2.4 aperture with 2x optical zoom and OIS), and 12Mp vast lens (f/1.7 aperture with OIS). The front-facing digicam gives a 12Mp sensor (f/2.0 aperture).
It’s a big bounce up from the unique Duo’s 11Mp digicam which served each because the entrance and rear digicam.
Video recording options embrace HDR video in 4K (at 30fps and 60fps).
Software program
At launch, the Floor Duo 2 ran Microsoft’s customized launcher over Android 11, though this has since been up to date to Android 12. It means you get the total vary of Google apps (Assistant, Calendar, Maps, Images and so on.), plus core Microsoft software program corresponding to Edge, OneDrive and Groups.
Alongside a number of software program updates, the Duo 2 is a much better machine now than at launch, as our August 2022 re-review exhibits.
It seems to be set to get even higher in just a few weeks time, with Home windows Central reporting that Android 12L for the Floor Duo is on its method quickly. The Android 12 spin-off is particularly designed for bigger gadgets and foldables, with redesigns to the notification shade, Settings app and exercise feed all anticipated.
Creator Zac Bowden stated it ought to arrive “within the subsequent handful of weeks” – that ought to imply by the tip of 2022 no less than. However there’s no information on when Android 13 may arrive.
Microsoft highlights among the Floor Duo 2’s key options in a current video on its ‘Microsoft Mechanics’ YouTube channel:
The five-minute clip covers design, software program, multitasking and extra, making it value watching in case you’re a present or potential Duo 2 proprietor. You’ll additionally hear some justification for the dual-screen kind issue, with Microsoft findings suggesting utilizing two screens side-by-side reduces the psychological workload in comparison with single-screen gadgets or foldables.
Floor Duo 2 full specs
- Snapdragon 888 5G
- Twin PixelSense Fusion Shows
- open: 8.3in AMOLED (2688×1892)
- Single PixelSense Display screen:
- 5.8in AMOLED (1344×1892)
- HDR, 100% SRGB, DCIP3
- Twin shows with 90Hz adaptive refresh price
- 800 nits max brightness
- Cameras:
- Rear: 12Mp vast f/1.7, 12Mp telephoto f/2.4, 16Mp ultra-wide f/2.2
- Entrance: 12Mp f/2.0
- Android 11
- Wi-Fi-6 802.11ax (2.4/5GHz)
- Bluetooth 5.1
NFC - Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
- Stereo audio system
- 4449mAh (typical) twin battery
- 23W USB-C Quick Cost
The Floor Duo 2 additionally ships with the next Microsoft functions:
- Intune Firm Portal
- Microsoft Authenticator
- Microsoft Bing Search
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Lens – PDF
- Scanner
- Microsoft Workplace: Phrase,Excel, PowerPoint & Extra
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft OneNote
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Begin
- Microsoft Groups
- Microsoft To Do
- Floor
- Ideas
- Xbox Sport Move
On 6 December 2021, the Floor Duo 2 acquired its greatest replace to date. As
Microsoft’s assist web page explains, it fixes the next points:
- Addresses situations outlined within the December 2021 Android Safety Bulletin
- Improves system reliability and stability
- Improves app navigations with added assist animations
- Improves digicam usability
- Improves contact responsiveness
- Improves assist for LDAC enabled Bluetooth gadgets
- Improves reliability within the Android Auto expertise
One other
- Skill to open OneNote by clicking high button of Floor Slim Pen 2 (as soon as paired with Duo 2)
- Skill to decide on which of the 2 shows acts because the default when folded
- Skill to customize how the Duo 2 behaves when answering telephone calls
Need extra Floor Duo 2 goodness? It featured because the lead speaking level in
episode 84 of our weekly podcast Quick Cost, the place we additionally mentioned the reasonably priced new 5G-capable Nokia G50 and our impressions on the primary public launch of iOS 15.
Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to know concerning the unique
Floor Duo.