Microsoft Surface Duo 2 leaked — and it could fix the biggest problem

Microsoft Surface Duo two leaked — and it could fix the biggest trouble

(Epitome credit: Tom's Guide)

Last twelvemonth's Microsoft Surface Duo was a dual-screen phone with enormous potential, yet held back by weak performance, a bad camera and atrocious software bugs. And it seems Microsoft is wasting no time addressing these problems with a new model: the Surface Duo ii is supposedly in the works already.

Windows Latest reported that the Surface Duo 2 started development in the second half of last year, and is set for a release date in Fall 2021. The new model will manifestly respond to specific complaints about the original Surface Duo, with a "special emphasis" on improving the software.

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This is the first time we've heard about a potential Surface Duo 2, so approach this leak with the usual circumspection, though a focus on software improvements would undoubtedly be the right motion to take. The original Surface Duo's dual-window multitasking capability was great, merely didn't work nearly likewise every bit information technology could have — our Surface Duo review cited sluggish performance, patchy input recognition and an unstable digital keyboard, among other problems.

According to Windows Latest, Microsoft is hiring additional engineers to work on the Surface Duo 2, so if information technology does come to market here'south hoping it addresses those software faults.

The report also claimed that the Surface Pro 2 will get a faster processor and a new camera, both of which direct address problems with the current model. The Surface Duo two will also apparently back up 5G connectivity, bringing it in line with the Samsung Galazy Z Fold 2.

A Autumn release would put the Surface Duo ii virtually one year behind the original Surface Duo, which is a pretty standard timeline for modern phone releases. Information technology likewise seems possible, in theory, that we could meet some or all of the declared software improvements much sooner, as Microsoft could potentially apply them to the current Surface Duo through updates.

But that might just exist wishful thinking. For now, just stay tuned; nosotros'll add the Surface Duo ii to the list of other Microsoft Surface devices rumored to launch this year, along with the Microsoft Surface Pro viii.

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James is currently Hardware Editor at Rock Paper Shotgun, simply earlier that was Audio Editor at Tom'southward Guide, where he covered headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes noise. A PC enthusiast, he besides wrote computing and gaming news for TG, commonly relating to how hard information technology is to notice graphics menu stock.