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blairh

macrumors 603
Dec 11, 2007
5,972
4,472
I want a large panel unfolded. Not two screens with a break in-between.
 

akuma13

macrumors 6502a
Jan 10, 2006
934
430
This is the demonstration video that sold to me the Duo as a capable device. It’s funny how Microsoft and Samsung are pushing to develop what a smartphone is capable of in the future. While Apple just rests on its laurels, laurels will deserved but still.

 
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Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
This is the demonstration video that sold to me the Duo capable device. It’s funny how Microsoft and Samsung are pushing to develop what a smartphone is capable of in the future. While Apple just rests on its laurels, laurels will deserved but still.

I hit play expecting I’d skim through it in one minute but ended up watching the whole thing! Great presentation. And this thing is actually much more intriguing than I thought. Now I’m dying to test one myself...dammit :/

Microsoft + Android seems to open up a lot of possibilities too. Very interested to see where this goes.
 

akuma13

macrumors 6502a
Jan 10, 2006
934
430
I know right? Microsoft’s UI over android is one of the best skins I’ve seen since Samsung’s One UI. I’m hoping some general reviews start coming out soon. Seriously thinking about putting in a pre-order.
 

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
I know right? Microsoft’s UI over android is one of the best skins I’ve seen since Samsung’s One UI. I’m hoping some general reviews start coming out soon. Seriously thinking about putting in a pre-order.
Yeah, very interested to see how that UI works out.

No release even planned outside of the US yet aaaaaaaaarghhh :( Oh well I guess I’ll become a YouTube junkie over the next 6 months :p
 

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
Some nice photos here, including internals + size comparisons with the iPhone 11 Pro Max and some other stuff:

At 9.9 mm folded it's noticeably thicker than th 8.1 mm thick iPhone, but honestly it's not a massive difference (a Z Fold 2 is 16.8 mm thick folded...) And unfolded it's just 4.8 mm which should give a lovely wafer thin feeling in the hand.
 
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akuma13

macrumors 6502a
Jan 10, 2006
934
430
I’m dumbfounded as to why there is no full version of the device in reviewers hands? Why send out a dummy version (like the one posted above) and have no screens attached to it? The device has obviously been in development for years. At least let us compare the screen sizes to other devices?

Who knows when embargo lifts but it’s like Microsoft does not want the Duo to sell?
 

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
I’m dumbfounded as to why there is no full version of the device in reviewers hands? Why send out a dummy version (like the one posted above) and have no screens attached to it? The device has obviously been in development for years. At least let us compare the screen sizes to other devices?

Who knows when embargo lifts but it’s like Microsoft does not want the Duo to sell?
Maybe last minute production issues? Not unthinkable given its a 1st version and with a very intricate interior design in order to get it that thin.
 

SteveJUAE

macrumors 601
Aug 14, 2015
4,511
4,750
Land of Smiles
This is the demonstration video that sold to me the Duo as a capable device. It’s funny how Microsoft and Samsung are pushing to develop what a smartphone is capable of in the future. While Apple just rests on its laurels, laurels will deserved

Yes it shows how MS are taking the dual aspect to higher levels, the fold has some similar functionality but the realestate of the Duo facilitates more

Nice demo on your phone on pc/laptop I use this all the time with my Fold and always smile when I unfold and its replicated on my laptop

I guess the trade off is lesser camera appeal over productivity vs something like the Fold
 

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
Which is why imo the Samsung Galaxy Fold is the better device in the end. It's also fully functional without having to be unfolded.
To each their own of course but to me it’s not a question of which is generally better or worse. The Duo and the Fold are two fundamentally different devices created with different uses in mind. From what I saw in that 30 min presentation vid above, it seems to me that Microsoft are doing a great job designing software specifically for the two separate displays on the Duo, already demonstrating functionality that speaks to me much more than what I see from Samsung and the Fold. For many things though, I’ve no doubt that the Fold is a more suitable device, watching videos definitely being one of those.
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,072
19,067
US
To each their own of course but to me it’s not a question of which is generally better or worse. The Duo and the Fold are two fundamentally different devices created with different uses in mind. From what I saw in that 30 min presentation vid above, it seems to me that Microsoft are doing a great job designing software specifically for the two separate displays on the Duo, already demonstrating functionality that speaks to me much more than what I see from Samsung and the Fold. For many things though, I’ve no doubt that the Fold is a more suitable device, watching videos definitely being one of those.
I am really liking the form factor on the Duo over the Fold 2. But I like the outside display on the Fold 2 better but it is kinda narrow and would be hard to use for some things other than just seeing notifications.
Then I am sure the camera is better on the Fold 2 than the Duo....

I am so on the fence between the Fold 2 and Duo!
 

ian87w

macrumors G3
Feb 22, 2020
8,704
12,638
Indonesia
To each their own of course but to me it’s not a question of which is generally better or worse. The Duo and the Fold are two fundamentally different devices created with different uses in mind. From what I saw in that 30 min presentation vid above, it seems to me that Microsoft are doing a great job designing software specifically for the two separate displays on the Duo, already demonstrating functionality that speaks to me much more than what I see from Samsung and the Fold. For many things though, I’ve no doubt that the Fold is a more suitable device, watching videos definitely being one of those.
Agreed on that the Surface Duo is for a completely different use, akin to a tablet use that is foldable. I can see specific use cases, especially in enterprises, where they need a small tablet that is more practical to be carried like a book. Basically an iPad mini that can be folded for easy carry. To me that's the Surface Duo.
 
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Lobwedgephil

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 7, 2012
5,792
4,757
I am still really conflicted overall on the Duo and Fold 2. Spec wise the Fold 2 wins everywhere, and it looks incredible. But for me, I really am drawn to the form factor and use cases of the Duo. I am a phone whore, and will likely keep my iPhone as well. But for me knowing this, the Duo seems like the better choice.

That video they made really showed me something. I can really see so many uses from this, work wise this looks strong. I see so many work uses of this phone that it really makes me want to keep the preorder.
 

ian87w

macrumors G3
Feb 22, 2020
8,704
12,638
Indonesia
I am still really conflicted overall on the Duo and Fold 2. Spec wise the Fold 2 wins everywhere, and it looks incredible. But for me, I really am drawn to the form factor and use cases of the Duo. I am a phone whore, and will likely keep my iPhone as well. But for me knowing this, the Duo seems like the better choice.

That video they made really showed me something. I can really see so many uses from this, work wise this looks strong. I see so many work uses of this phone that it really makes me want to keep the preorder.
Consider the Surface Duo as a secondary device, like an iPad.

If you already have a phone, the Surface Duo can be a great sidekick. However, if you're looking for a primary smartphone, or just want one device, the Galaxy Fold imo is the more appropriate choice.
 

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
Agreed on that the Surface Duo is for a completely different use, akin to a tablet use that is foldable. I can see specific use cases, especially in enterprises, where they need a small tablet that is more practical to be carried like a book. Basically an iPad mini that can be folded for easy carry. To me that's the Surface Duo.
I'd actually argue that the Fold is much more like an iPad mini since it has that one large uninterrupted display when unfolded. The Duo seems to make possible a kind of functionality/work flow which literally is something new. That whole thing of having two separate work spaces which play off each other, that's kind of possible with split screen on an iPad but here they're really dedicating themselves to refining that particular flow and coming up with stuff that seems to really set the Duo apart.
 

Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423

Lame production and there's no new info, but you do get to see the device from a few new angles. It's so weird how sometimes it looks really small and sometimes much bigger than you thought. And no I'm not talking about folded vs unfolded modes :p

The dual app "selling point" is a getting a little embarrassing imo. Come on guys, it's just one icon to open two apps....how often is that really going to be useful. There are a million novel selling points with this thing, why do they have to keep repeating that one... Especially since they keep using Spotify as one of the two paired apps - it's music, you don't need to be looking at the app all the time!!
 

jamezr

macrumors P6
Aug 7, 2011
16,072
19,067
US
For me.....the Duo is the closest device that comes to being a true all in one device to carry.
It can be a phone..tablet and almost a laptop.
But i hate that it doesn't have an external display. I use my phone as an alarm as well...doesn't seem like the Duo can be that for me.
I just keep going back and forth between the Duo and Fold 2!
 
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Oohara

macrumors 68040
Jun 28, 2012
3,050
2,423
For me.....the Duo is the closest device that comes to being a true all in one device to carry.
It can be a phone..tablet and almost a laptop.
But i hate that it doesn't have an external display. I use my phone as an alarm as well...doesn't seem like the Duo can be that for me.
I just keep going back and forth between the Duo and Fold 2!
Yeah it’s not gonna work as an all in one for many people. If I got it I would rock an old iPhone 8 in the pocket + watch for all the everyday stuff, and have the Duo along for all other scenarios. I could never make it work as my only phone.

The Fold is definitely another beast, that one could do it all - if you can live with the pocket bulge :D
 
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