Microsoft introduced the first Surface Duo, dual-screen Android phone back in 2020, and the Surface Duo 2 was introduced in 2021. The company did not release a Duo model in 2022.
Surface Duo 3
According to a new report from Windows Central, the Surface Duo 3 will not be a dual-screen phone, instead it will opt for an internal foldable screen with an external cover display and a 180-degree hinge, similar to most phones.
The report says that this comes after a long year of hardware prototyping and experimentation, even though it had planned for a dual-screen design for Surface Duo 3 with a narrower and taller edge-to-edge displays, wireless charging, and several other improvements.
Even though Microsoft had filed design patents for single-screen foldables with a 360-degree hinge, the report says the foldable device will feature a 180-degree hinge, similar to most other foldable phones.
The report adds that with the tag line “Perfect Together”, Microsoft is looking to create an ecosystem experience between Microsoft’s Android hardware and Windows PCs similar to the ecosystem between iPhone and Mac.
Microsoft is also said to be testing large-screen Android smartphones that could launch under Surface branding and stay alongside the foldable.
According to the report, there is no exact shipping date for the Surface Duo 3, so it might not be ready for the fall 2023, which is September to December. The final name of the foldable could be different from Duo.