Microsoft’s Surface Duo: The Foldable That Won’t Quit

Microsoft has had a hard time breaking into the smartphone market, with previous attempts, such as their bet on Nokia, not paying off. However, the company remains optimistic about their Surface smartphone lineup, including their latest release, the Surface Duo 2.

The Surface Duo 2

The Surface Duo 2, launched in late 2021, brought a new and unique design to the smartphone market. Its two-screen layout, as opposed to a single flexible display folding in half, set it apart from other foldables on the market. The device’s overall performance was decent enough to perform functions such as copy data seamlessly however, despite its fresh design, the Surface Duo 2 has not been as successful as Microsoft had hoped. One reason for this could be the device’s unproven potential and high asking price.

Production Ceased?

Windows Central reported that the Surface Duo 2 has been out of stock for many weeks in nearly all markets, leading many to believe that Microsoft is no longer producing the device. In September, the company cited component shortages for the limited availability of the Surface Duo 2. However, now it seems that production may have stopped altogether.

Future of the Surface Smartphone Lineup

Despite the struggles of the Surface Duo 2, Microsoft continues to see the smartphone as an important part of their Surface lineup, which includes their expensive detachable computers. The company has not yet announced whether they will be continuing to produce the Surface Duo 2 or if they have any plans for a successor. However, sources suggest that a third Surface-branded Android phone is in the works. It is yet to be seen if this alleged Microsoft handset will stick with the foldable form factor or switch to a more conventional design and price point.