Should you still buy a Surface Duo?
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
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After three years of support, #Microsoft has officially cut off the first #SurfaceDuo from security updates. However, unlike most other #Android devices, it's dual screen form factor provides it with some interesting use cases even after support has ended. Is it still worthwhile to buy a Surface Duo?
Link to Surface Duo announcement: ruclips.net/user/livedmaioTs0...
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Controller recommendations
Unfortunately, given the Duo's unique shape and offset USB-C port, most of the mobile controllers currently available will be difficult to use. Instead, you'll want to track down a Bluetooth telescopic controller that can fit the Duo. Right now, the GameSir x2 is the gold standard.
- GameSir x2 on Amazon (affiliate link): amzn.to/3Ntqnfo
Emulators that work great on a Surface Duo
- DraStic (DS): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- Citra (3DS): citra-emu.org/
- Dolphin (Gamecube and Wii): dolphin-emu.org/
- AetherSX2 (PS2): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- Duckstation (PS1): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- PPSSPP (PSP): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- Retroarch (GBA, SNES, N64, and more): play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Note for Citra
Screen organization in Citra can be a bit tricky and require creating a custom layout file. Here's a link to layouts I've created in the past: ko-fi.com/s/858e9f6362
Alternatively, Citra MMJ (link: github.com/weihuoya/citra/rel... ) has more display customization options in-app and will offer slightly better performance for older processors (like the one in the Surface Duo). The catch will be some potential game compatibility issues between MMJ and official if one is ever updated differently from the other.
Chapters
00:00 End of Support
02:13 Returning to the Duo
05:26 Hardware Frustrations
08:41 Mint Mobile
10:28 "It's Not a Smartphone"
12:11 Productivity Boost
13:47 Reading Excellence
15:21 Gaming Support
18:01 Final Thoughts 
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I got my duo about a year and a half ago for 50 dollars. Guy was one of those people that bought lots of phones that were broken. In this case apparently it was reported to him that only one of the screens worked. I figured for 50 bucks a 4x3 high resolution single screen phone was still interesting. So I picked it up. It ended up having an app on it called duo mono that basically forced the duo into single screen mode for everything. I disabled the app and the phone worked perfectly. Been super happy with it for the most part. It is a shame that Microsoft seems to have given up on it. I've more or less turned it into a secondary note taking device and switched over to a pixel as my main phone. But I enjoyed my time with the duo.,
Can I purchase it?!
@@named321 I am using it with an android controller as a retro emulation handheld so I fear not. I am still getting use out of it.
I'm so spoiled with having so many 'tech' toys. I just use my Duo stictly for ds/3ds emulation and love it for that.
I have one, and still using it everyday. It is my secondary device for reading, news and occasionally 3DS DS games :)
I used a surface duo 2 as my primary phone for almost a year. It got too beat up and the battery is now nonexistant, but i really enjoyed the divise. Although i didn't take full advantage of it, the mutitaksing is awesome. Also the singe screen is a really good aspect ratio for 16:9 content, and perfect for 4:3 content. It's cumbersome as a phone, and the used prices have gone up. I would recomend getting a duo 1 as a secondary devise, instead of getting a duo 2 as a primary devise. You can get a duo 1 in good condition for $300. Great video!
Using the Duo 2 as my work device. Perfect for all MS apps, especially good for Teams. The Duo 2 is my primary work phone device, whether Teams, voip or cell. I only keep my Samsung for the camera!
I really like your video format. Informative, and thorough, like listening to a friend. Thank you!
I've picked a 256gb version with the intent of loading it up with games, attaching a nacon controller and selling it for a tidy profit but i fell in love with it. I sold my 3ds over Christmas and this has allowed me to reconnect with ds and some 3ds games that i love revisiting. Now I'm about ready to beg Microsoft to make a duo 3.
I wonder how much that one will cost... Duo 2 costs $1600 in my country 😢
Your quality of written content is amongst the best out there and the manner of presentation is fantastic.
So looking forward to watching this!
I'd never even heard of this phone. I like the concept of dual screens over a folding screen
Got mine brand new for $214 and I lovve it. Plan on keeping it for a while.
Would it have possibly worked if they made a single screen version of the same folded dimensions? Just a better camera maybe.
I ask as i have a 20x huwawei but would be keen to try something shorter (less top heavy), and sloghtly wider (hopefuly beter keypad for fat thumbs)
Personally, I'd love to see it. The utility of the current Duos would be cut in half, but a 4:3(ish), pocketable Surface tablet would be fantastic for everyday use and retro gaming.
It's difficult to say whether it'd be commercially successful though. With a lot of these phones that have unique aspect ratios, the first issue has always been convincing folks that there's merit to trying something different than the common slab phone. You'd probably get a ton of hardware nerds (like me) who would absolutely love the more comfortable form factor, but I could foresee it still remaining a niche device that needed to be demonstrated for most folks to actually see it as useful.
was thinking of getting a duo purely to use as an ereader... it actually has a spine and doesn't have a screen on the back
Hey can you share the emulators you're using in this video and the switch-like controllers you've got on either side? This is a great video highlighting the love for the SD and SD2. Nice work!
Glad you enjoyed it! I've added info on emulators I'd recommend for a Surface Duo in the video description alongside some additional notes and a link to the controller. Let me know if there's any other info I can help with.
I still have my OG Duo im still in love with how slim and light the device is, it was and still is a so lovely looking, ive moved on to the Pixel Fold, however ill always have a place in my heart for the Duo!
I'll get a pixel fold next but needs to get under 500$ till then , duo it is
@@Drippppppppp yeah I still use my Duo as a glorified ebook, I'm still blown away by the slimness, the design was and is still really cool
You should really check the pixel fold!
I just switched to the Pixel Fold. Despite what others have said, I still believe the Pixel Fold was hugely influenced by the Surface. Google saw an opportunity to try and get it right or what a 3rd generation Surface device with a single screen should be.
If Google actually implements a better way to multi-task, since they seem to want it to give the dual screen/split screen use case, I would think they would have addressed that.
This was my favorite device to use
As a person who has an iPhone 15 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Fold 3, Microsoft Surface Duo, Sony Xperia Pro I, I can say that for work purposes, Microsoft Mail, Teams, Excel and One Drive, my preference is the Microsoft Surface Duo over all the above. I have tried using the Surface Duo with a SIM card and it is extremely laggy and poor performance. I removed the SIM card and for whatever reason, when using only Wifi it is a completely difference device. It is faster, less laggy and does what I need the device to do as far as work. Microsoft Mail, Teams, Excel and One Drive. I have connected a foldable keyboard via bluetooth and it's the perfect on the go quick response, quick work action device when on the move, the go, when carrying a laptop is not possible, IE, dinner party. Finger placement, I don't have an issue as the gentleman in the video. I do not use the device for gaming, videos and I do not use the camera on the device. As far as pocketability, it is fine. I only use the Microsoft Surface Duo as a secondary work device, not a primary device. I would not recommend as a primary device. I prefer the Surface Duo over my Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 because of the two different panels for ease of multitasking. The Surface Duo is easier to pocket than the Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 for me because of the weight difference of the devices, Fold 3 feeling heavier in pocket. I did try to connect the Microsoft Surface Duo to my car for android play at one time when using the SIM, but the connectivity was not as stable as compared to my iPhone 15 pro and Samsung Galaxy Fold 3.
Great video 🎉 I wanted to ask, you had mentioned that 2ds works great, what about the 3DS games? Thank you and I will look forward in hearing back from you
3DS emulation technically works. Easier to emulate 3DS games (e.g., NSMB2 and Bravely Default) tend to run fine. (There are a couple clips toward the end of the video where I show some of that gameplay.) Past those games, the Snapdragon 855 tends to show its age quite a bit. Games that tend to stutter on more powerful machines (e.g., Super Mario 3D Land), have tended to have more issues and frame rate dips overall. I probably wouldn't recommend a Duo 1 to someone specifically looking for a 3DS emulation machine at the moment. DS emulation is really where it shines the brightest; 3DS is just a neat bonus if you don't mind a little jank.
If you are looking for a 3DS emulation machine though (price be damned), I might recommend checking out the Duo 2. I find the boost in performance to smooth out 3DS emulation quality quite a bit. It's about at the point where 1x Native graphics are only limited by the capabilities of Citra.
@@GameXData thank you very much for replying. Yeah I installed citra but the 3ds games stutter frequently. Keep up the great work and videos.
Beautiful presentation
I love my surface dou 1
Wait a DAMN minute! Is that a Surface Neo on the back?!?!?!
whats the name of your controller?
I'm using the Bluetooth version of the Gamesir x2
Seems like an interesting device and it looks cool, though it seems weird to me that a Windows product is using Android.
What's interesting is that it was originally planned as a Windows device. A custom version of Windows (separate from Windows mobile) was in development for years specifically for a pocketable Surface device. Unfortunately, production delays and technical issues led to them swapping over to Android last-minute.
Windows Central published a great piece on the whole ordeal a few years ago if you wanted to read more: www.windowscentral.com/surface-duo-andromeda-windows-core-os
Well since the original port of windows 11 arm on SM8150 was for surface duo, it's actually still updated using Microsoft's own OS
Does this support Android desktop mode? Like dex or whatever Motorola uses
Corded or wireless
It previously supported a big screen Android mode (common to many phones). Unfortunately, after the Android 12 update, plugging it into a monitor only allows for it to be used as a remote desktop client.
@@GameXData so I cant stream my phone to this either way?
@playerroku4412 Surface Duos do not natively support desktop mode. When plugged into a monitor, they only show a remote desktop client.
@@GameXData I want to display my phone a
On a surface duo. Not the other way around?
I don't expect any feature updates but I'd really love it if they kept the security updates. I really love my duo 1 as a mini tablet
I use my duo as a phone
is that a surface neo in the background?
I wish
@@GameXDatait sure looks like one. What is it?
@rogersisson8580 That's just a Surface Duo propped up for visibility behind me. If I recall correctly, the Neo is about twice the size.
@@GameXData pity. I have both the duo 1 and 2.
W
I would like to get a dúo but still Are expensive
The most performant emulation and cloud gaming device under $400 ???!!
Sir, you have been smoking la zaza
You can get two Xperia 5 II for that price with the much better 865 processeur
Or a Xiaomi 12T pro with the 8+gen 1
Perhaps even a damaged 8 gen 2 device !!
I don't doubt it's not a pleasure to use with its form factor, but it's not the most powerful at all
Had you mentioned using windows 11 and gaming there why not, (still one can get 4 Poco X3 pros for that kinda money)
I think you're glossing over a few things. First, "performance" isn't always about raw chipset processing. The Surface Duo's form factor lend it to being one of the most flexible devices you can find for emulation. 4:3 displays are ideal for emulation up through Gamecube and PS2, dual screens are necessary for comfortable DS and 3DS gameplay, and the utility of a second screen for touch controls, a kickstand, and secondary tasks are hard to beat.
Second, this video was posted October, 2023. Even then, even $350 was pricier than what most folks were paying for a Surface Duo. I'm well aware of what devices were available at the time and none of them really competed in average price and utility. Nowadays, even the options you listed aren't fantastic. I'd probably guide folks toward an Odin 2 if they didn't care about dual screen emulation.
@@GameXData Odin 2 ? Why not a usb-c phone controller instead ? I have to say i'm not convinced, for the 250€ I'd buy a surface duo for there are much better options. I'd look into emulating nintendo switch personally so I don't care about having two displays. I'm pretty sure buying a surface duo for emulating dual screen games is a very niche use case
I'm personally interested in getting my hands on such weird hardware still, but performance doesn't exactly come to mind
HECK NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I had to return the SD1 3X to Microsoft because they all malfunctioned. Unfortunately, I am out of warranty and stuck with a right green screen. Stay away, it is a very glichy phone.
I dunno, you just don't seem like the kind of person that would know much about gaming?.......
its wild as the years go by devices are lasting shorter and shorter periods to get people to buy more and more products and producing so much e waste.... its sickening honestly on a phone all i need is a good camera and honestly just the og 12 buttons. people need to stop disconnecting from reality and reconnect with people imho.
Not worth it, even if it is brand new. I just opened a sealed box, surface duo first version. No more than a week out of the box and the screen randomly has flashing fits, and the device itself gets almost too hot to hold lol. Why is Microsoft still around, farming potatoes I guess.