Microsoft's long awaited Surface Duo foldable smartphone costs $1,400 and can be preordered right now

Microsoft is back in the smartphone game with the long-awaited Surface Duo, a $1,400 foldable smartphone running Android that's focused on productivity. 

The Surface Duo is available for preorder starting on August 12. It will be fully released and available to buy starting on September 10.

Unlike Samsung's Galaxy Fold phones that come with a single screen that folds at the center, the Surface Duo is more like a book with two screens on each side. The idea is to either have one single app running on both screens, or to have multiple apps running on both screens simultaneously for multitasking or simulating a dual-monitor computer setup. Each screen measures 5.6 inches. Unfolded, the screen spans 8.1 inches. 

The Surface Duo's hinge is capable of rotating 360 degrees, meaning you can fold one of the screens back onto the other one, like a notepad, allowing you to use a single screen like you would a traditional smartphone. The flexible hinge also lets you hold the Duo like an actual book when reading on book apps, as well as folding it into a tent shape to watch videos.

Microsoft

As expected, Microsoft is pre-installing a variety of Microsoft applications, like Office, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Edge, OneNote, To Do, News, Authenticator, Bing Search, and most importantly (with only the slightest hint of sarcasm) Microsoft Solitaire Collection. 

When it comes to specs, the Surface Duo isn't the most formidable phone for its price tag — you're certainly paying for the foldable dual-screened form factor here. It runs on 2019's Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 flagship chip, and it doesn't support 5G connectivity. Even though you could argue that 5G isn't mainstream at the moment, lacking 5G support in particular will draw ire considering the Duo is meant to be a productivity device. 

You can preorder the Surface Duo now from Microsoft's online store. We'll update this article with more purchase options as they become available.

Microsoft

Microsoft Surface Duo specs:

• Display: Two 5.6-inch AMOLED screens at 1350p resolution (1,800 x 1,350), 4:3 aspect ratio. Unfolded to 8.1 inches at 2,700 x 1,350 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio. 
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 
• Memory and storage: 6GB RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS 3.0 storage
• Rear camera: 11-megapixel 
• Battery: 3,577mAh

Antonio Villas-Boas

Senior Tech Reporter

Antonio Villas-Boas is a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. As Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio has developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and has covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:

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EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio’s second full-time job is as a dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.You can contact Antonio with tips and cool tech via email at: [email protected]Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.

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