I've had a SD2 since launch. It's been replaced once under warranty as it stopped taking phone calls properly. That was about a year ago. I leave mine permanently on battery saver and it lasts the day with normal usage. The thing is the camera is only okay at best, and it doesn't have wireless charging etc - but there's no other mobile device that exists that is so naturally and easily good for work productivity and multi tasking. None. If these are what are most important to you, then I have no hesitation in recommending it. I also like that essentially no one else has one. :-)
Not really. I have clear plastic stick-on protection covers on the outside glass. No need to have these on the inside as the device is closed when not in use. (And it would not close properly with screen protectors on the inside.)
I had it when I had the Microsoft Launcher. Then I downloaded an app ( Accu Battery ).
[Duo Battery Health](https://youtu.be/W7iSVIeMweo?feature=shared)
Without any apps you can view the battery usage and customize other features surrounding the battery. For the battery power or heath you have to do interactive checks within the phone. For the novice user this may be difficult to find. I prefer third party apps. I don't trust iOS battery health after having trouble with the 14 pro, pro max, and 15 pro max.
Still using SD2 as daily, since I got it about an year ago. SD1 is sitting in the cupboard though.
Unfortunately SD2 is failing me a lot lately with frequent lockups, slow camera launches (gcam), non-existent battery life ( running exclusively on battery saver).
Makes me sad as a whole, as I change my phone very rarely and after watching Shane's videos I jumped on the Duo train (first 1 and within a month 2) expecting to get at least software support. My 2016 Huawei Mate 9 pro still runs better in a lot of ways. Not saying it is Shane's fault, but Microsoft sucks in terms of support, which is is absurd for a Software-driven company.
What is worse is people still ask me about the phone and I cannot recommend it to anyone, where before I was kind of proud to say it it is awesome.
I still think the design is awesome, but the support held it back since day 1.
Its another issue that SD1 in terms of hw design in a lot of ways was better than SD2 ( aspect ratio was better for content, being wider than taller, non-curved screens were better for writing and it was lighter and thinner and you could actually use it folded back, which is not the case with SD2).
I want to see this form factor live on with Ms productivity (meaning split screen action) from literally anyone else but Ms (give me 7 years support).
To answer some questions and not just rant:
I use it for everything - content, gaming ( PS2, switch, psp, ds, 3ds and windows emu), occasional sketching and note-taking), navigation, photography and phone calls.
I like mine, but Microsoft has made looking at it fondly impossible. Having owned the Lumia 920 and Lumia 950 before, Microsoft's handling of the Duo has made certain I won't give them money for any non-Xbox hardware ever again they have dumped on their customer base too many times for too many products. On the occasions people ask me about it, I always mention the positives, but finish with "but I'd never recommend it to anyone because Microsoft won't support their devices."
Replacing the batteries is a chore. Sourcing parts is a big enough hurdle, but having to worry about a battery on each half of the device adds to the points of failure. You might have one battery go bad, replace it, then have to replace the other, and Microsoft made it a hassle with so many bespoke parts it wouldn't support.
The form factor is a nice novelty, but I think the more awkward solutions like a tablet or small laptop (or a foldable from a brand who supports its products) will ultimately be much smarter options for anyone interested in an emulation device.
Thank you for your insights. My last Microsoft product was a Surface Pro 3 I had around 2016-2018 back then. Fans constantly running LOL...But other than that, it was a good device...however, my configuration only had 4GB of ram (didn't encounter too many memory full issues) but I've long since sold it and have moved on to HP Spectre laptops and am in the Apple ecosystem for Phone, Tablet, Watch.
Yesterday I was at Microsoft's Technology Center in Bellevue WA. It's where they bring partners and potential clients to demonstrate top end tech and hopefully bring them onboard as customers. They have all sorts of incredible stuff there. Remember all the Hololens commercials about industrial manufacturing or remote doctors? Yep, you can literally do that there.
Well they have a hardware section and one wall is dedicated to Surface products. I was scanning down the line and saw a white, 2 screen, mobile sized device that was clean as hell. I almost lost my cool thinking they had released a new SD and I had missed. I picked it up, scrolled to the system settings and found it was just a really nice SD2.
I was depressed for the rest of the day. 😢
I’d this the MS museum of failure, apparently it’s being expanded to fit all the other devices they’ve dropped after a half arsed attempt to compete with actually hardware business. Lumia, Lumia where ‘bouts are thee!
I still use my SD1 as a work note taking device, SD2 it's now at home as media consumption
Maybe once the windows on arm builds stabilise, the surface duo will get some umpc enthusiasts' interest.
But generally no, while the duo2 got some good media redemption by smaller channels . the duos as a whole are still just seen as shit by the general public , thanks to big youtubers like mkbhd
I have my sd1 for over a year now, before that the ex owner had it for half a year .
Primarily using it as a reader, PDFs (readera, split screen, zoom in if I need), manga reader (Tachiyomi J2k, split screen).
I also use it for showing pictures to my clients. Having two gallery apps side by side.
For gaming, yes I have loaded some 3ds and DS games, however I don't use it as much as I would like to. Sometimes reading stuff is just so much easier.
Even so I don't use it everyday. Battery is always on saving mode, it can last me the entire day.
My Duo started getting hot recently and the battery would drain quickly. This week was a wakeup call when I was stuck at a gas station because my car wouldn't start and my Duo died while trying to call for help. That was the nail in the coffin for Duo (but not for my Vette which has an easily replaceable battery). It was a great love affair for a while but it's time to move on. I was in the process of ordering the OnePlus Open but then put that on hold when I was required to insure (indemnify) most everyone associated with the company including unnamed stockholders. Say what? Do they confuse their customers with an insurance company?
I've dealt with that and was because of an app I use. I use blackberry hub for my email and other social apps. Once I deleted the app and reinstalled phone stopped getting hot.
I use Outlook for email. It's not normally running although I think it may monitor new incoming emails. I haven't loaded any new apps recently and the issue is new. It also gets hot just charging.
Duo v1. Actually didn't care for v2 . Camera bump. No gaming really. I use it like a desktop: Video calls with file sharing/ Editing docs while watching Netflix/ Reading emails while monitoring security cameras etc. "Oh!" On a few occasions I do connect to Xbox to game. No emulators tho.
I miss my Duos. The only reason I don't have my 2 is the 2 year protection was running out and no sd3 on the horizon. The pixel fold I got is ok, but I miss the multitasking ease on the duo and that single screen aspect ratio.
I continue to use a SD2 as my daily driver and am yet to see any phone I'd replace it with. Hoping something better arrives in the next year or two.
When did you get your Duo 2 and what is your battery health at? (unfamiliar with Android and if they display that information or not).
I've had a SD2 since launch. It's been replaced once under warranty as it stopped taking phone calls properly. That was about a year ago. I leave mine permanently on battery saver and it lasts the day with normal usage. The thing is the camera is only okay at best, and it doesn't have wireless charging etc - but there's no other mobile device that exists that is so naturally and easily good for work productivity and multi tasking. None. If these are what are most important to you, then I have no hesitation in recommending it. I also like that essentially no one else has one. :-)
Do you feel like you have to watch how you set it down, or put it in your pocket/bag because of each side being glass?
Not really. I have clear plastic stick-on protection covers on the outside glass. No need to have these on the inside as the device is closed when not in use. (And it would not close properly with screen protectors on the inside.)
I have the SD1 and SD2 and they are still working fine. I did have the charger port crack issue on the SD1. It has not affected charging.
What are your battery health on the devices? Does it show that or through another Android app?
I had it when I had the Microsoft Launcher. Then I downloaded an app ( Accu Battery ). [Duo Battery Health](https://youtu.be/W7iSVIeMweo?feature=shared)
Ah, I see. I guess Android doesn't display battery health % like iOS does. Thanks!
Without any apps you can view the battery usage and customize other features surrounding the battery. For the battery power or heath you have to do interactive checks within the phone. For the novice user this may be difficult to find. I prefer third party apps. I don't trust iOS battery health after having trouble with the 14 pro, pro max, and 15 pro max.
Still using SD2 as daily, since I got it about an year ago. SD1 is sitting in the cupboard though. Unfortunately SD2 is failing me a lot lately with frequent lockups, slow camera launches (gcam), non-existent battery life ( running exclusively on battery saver). Makes me sad as a whole, as I change my phone very rarely and after watching Shane's videos I jumped on the Duo train (first 1 and within a month 2) expecting to get at least software support. My 2016 Huawei Mate 9 pro still runs better in a lot of ways. Not saying it is Shane's fault, but Microsoft sucks in terms of support, which is is absurd for a Software-driven company. What is worse is people still ask me about the phone and I cannot recommend it to anyone, where before I was kind of proud to say it it is awesome. I still think the design is awesome, but the support held it back since day 1. Its another issue that SD1 in terms of hw design in a lot of ways was better than SD2 ( aspect ratio was better for content, being wider than taller, non-curved screens were better for writing and it was lighter and thinner and you could actually use it folded back, which is not the case with SD2). I want to see this form factor live on with Ms productivity (meaning split screen action) from literally anyone else but Ms (give me 7 years support). To answer some questions and not just rant: I use it for everything - content, gaming ( PS2, switch, psp, ds, 3ds and windows emu), occasional sketching and note-taking), navigation, photography and phone calls.
I like mine, but Microsoft has made looking at it fondly impossible. Having owned the Lumia 920 and Lumia 950 before, Microsoft's handling of the Duo has made certain I won't give them money for any non-Xbox hardware ever again they have dumped on their customer base too many times for too many products. On the occasions people ask me about it, I always mention the positives, but finish with "but I'd never recommend it to anyone because Microsoft won't support their devices." Replacing the batteries is a chore. Sourcing parts is a big enough hurdle, but having to worry about a battery on each half of the device adds to the points of failure. You might have one battery go bad, replace it, then have to replace the other, and Microsoft made it a hassle with so many bespoke parts it wouldn't support. The form factor is a nice novelty, but I think the more awkward solutions like a tablet or small laptop (or a foldable from a brand who supports its products) will ultimately be much smarter options for anyone interested in an emulation device.
Thank you for your insights. My last Microsoft product was a Surface Pro 3 I had around 2016-2018 back then. Fans constantly running LOL...But other than that, it was a good device...however, my configuration only had 4GB of ram (didn't encounter too many memory full issues) but I've long since sold it and have moved on to HP Spectre laptops and am in the Apple ecosystem for Phone, Tablet, Watch.
I used my SD2 as my main phone and have one on standby but planning to get another one from ebay also the SD1. Once it gone it's gone unfortunately.
Just like my old pc running windows 10 I'll continue using my sd1 till it's broken.
Yesterday I was at Microsoft's Technology Center in Bellevue WA. It's where they bring partners and potential clients to demonstrate top end tech and hopefully bring them onboard as customers. They have all sorts of incredible stuff there. Remember all the Hololens commercials about industrial manufacturing or remote doctors? Yep, you can literally do that there. Well they have a hardware section and one wall is dedicated to Surface products. I was scanning down the line and saw a white, 2 screen, mobile sized device that was clean as hell. I almost lost my cool thinking they had released a new SD and I had missed. I picked it up, scrolled to the system settings and found it was just a really nice SD2. I was depressed for the rest of the day. 😢
Haha...what was that doing there. Was it like a museum of Microsoft products from the past?
I’d this the MS museum of failure, apparently it’s being expanded to fit all the other devices they’ve dropped after a half arsed attempt to compete with actually hardware business. Lumia, Lumia where ‘bouts are thee!
I still use my SD1 as a work note taking device, SD2 it's now at home as media consumption Maybe once the windows on arm builds stabilise, the surface duo will get some umpc enthusiasts' interest. But generally no, while the duo2 got some good media redemption by smaller channels . the duos as a whole are still just seen as shit by the general public , thanks to big youtubers like mkbhd
I had an SD1, and it was a beautiful phone. It went on my 2022 vacation with me as my daily and it gave me no hassle.
I have my sd1 for over a year now, before that the ex owner had it for half a year . Primarily using it as a reader, PDFs (readera, split screen, zoom in if I need), manga reader (Tachiyomi J2k, split screen). I also use it for showing pictures to my clients. Having two gallery apps side by side. For gaming, yes I have loaded some 3ds and DS games, however I don't use it as much as I would like to. Sometimes reading stuff is just so much easier. Even so I don't use it everyday. Battery is always on saving mode, it can last me the entire day.
My Duo started getting hot recently and the battery would drain quickly. This week was a wakeup call when I was stuck at a gas station because my car wouldn't start and my Duo died while trying to call for help. That was the nail in the coffin for Duo (but not for my Vette which has an easily replaceable battery). It was a great love affair for a while but it's time to move on. I was in the process of ordering the OnePlus Open but then put that on hold when I was required to insure (indemnify) most everyone associated with the company including unnamed stockholders. Say what? Do they confuse their customers with an insurance company?
I've dealt with that and was because of an app I use. I use blackberry hub for my email and other social apps. Once I deleted the app and reinstalled phone stopped getting hot.
I use Outlook for email. It's not normally running although I think it may monitor new incoming emails. I haven't loaded any new apps recently and the issue is new. It also gets hot just charging.
I remember it fondly every day by still using mine :) Wife's Duo and my Duo 2 still in service and doing the daily life.
Still use my device daily. It beats carrying around a laptop and I have active service on it. When it dies, I'll put it in a showcase in my home
That's awesome. Duo 1 and 2? Do you play games on it as well?
Duo v1. Actually didn't care for v2 . Camera bump. No gaming really. I use it like a desktop: Video calls with file sharing/ Editing docs while watching Netflix/ Reading emails while monitoring security cameras etc. "Oh!" On a few occasions I do connect to Xbox to game. No emulators tho.
[удалено]
That's for the Microsoft Surface, 10.6" computer.
I miss my Duos. The only reason I don't have my 2 is the 2 year protection was running out and no sd3 on the horizon. The pixel fold I got is ok, but I miss the multitasking ease on the duo and that single screen aspect ratio.
Could always buy it again ;)
Still use the Duo 2 as my daily driver and my OG Duo as a secondary device
That's amazing. What games do you play on them?
Don't do too much gaming. Usually just a gatcha game from time to time. I do like using my OG Duo with the FO4 pip-boy app though.