Microsoft’s weird Surface Duo 2 has surprisingly become my favorite device of the year

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It is extremely rare for a product to get better months after its release. The Surface Duo 2, which was launched back in October of 2021 with a steep price tag and a laundry list of bugs that made it very frustrating to use, has bucked that trend. Even though it's still weird and unique, the Duo 2 is one of my favorite mobile devices, even if it's not recommended to most people.

The Surface Duo 2 is a folding phone with two large screens. The Duo 2's two screens make it feel like two large phones attached together and running the same software. You can run two apps side by side as if you were holding two phones at the same time or you can span a single app across both screens. The phone can fit into a pocket with relative ease because of the thinness of the two halves. You have a portable digital notebook that can work just as well for note-taking, reading an ebook, or drafting an email if you pair it with the Surface Slim Pen 2.

The Surface Duo 2 didn't matter when I reviewed it last year. The device was broken and held back by software bugs that made it hard to type on and frustrating to use. It was a novelty that appealed to the most die-hard Microsoft brand stooges who were willing to put up with its many flaws so they could have the never-launched Courier device.

Microsoft isn't giving up on the Duo 2. The company has issued software updates on a monthly basis to address the problems the Duo 2 had. The June update included more significant corrections and added new features, while some of the other updates consisted of simple security patches. It was very difficult to type on the Duo 2's virtual keyboard because of the touch latency problems that Microsoft addressed.

I took advantage of a recent price cut and generous trade-in offer, and bought a Duo 2, knowing that Microsoft has been listening to my original complaints. I wanted to see if I could get a better idea of what Microsoft is trying to do with this device when there are no major bugs.

I can finally say that I understand. The Duo 2 allows me to do things I can't do with a traditional phone. The Z Fold 3 has a single large screen, but it does some things better.

The Duo 2 takes advantage of the dual screens to provide a more book-like experience than any other device. I have managed my inbox and calendar at the same time, as well as edited my doc and kept up with the chat service. I use the Slim Pen 2 to write things down. The Duo 2 turned into a portrait orientation after reading many articles in my Pocket queue. I don't notice the small gap anymore because I've watched so much video. It is satisfying to complete a task on the Duo 2 and then fold it in half and put it in my pocket.

The Duo 2 doesn't replace my primary phone because I use them for different things, including messaging, calls, photos, smart home control, music, and mobile payments. I haven't taken a call on the Duo 2 because I don't use earbuds. The Duo 2 folds in half and fits in my pocket, but I have used it the same way I would an iPad Mini. This device is not a phone based on how I use it. Microsoft moved away from marketing the original Surface Duo as something other than a phone after it was launched.

I have never used the Duo 2's camera app to take photos. It's too awkward for me to take photos with my phone. I would prefer it if the camera and ungainly rear hump were gone and the Duo 2 kept the sleek lines of the first Duo.

The Duo 2's design makes it difficult to use as a primary phone. If you want to check notifications or do something one-handed, you need to open the device. The June update did not add third-party chat app notifications to thehinge display. When you want to kill some time in line at the grocery store, it is a much more intentional device than a slab phone. If you want a single device to replace both a phone and a tablets, the Z Fold 3 is a good choice.

The Duo 2 is notdurable. It doesn't have water or dust resistance so you don't want to get it wet. It's hard to put a case on because of the design. Microsoft has a Surface Pen charging cover and bumper. It isn't something I'd just toss in a pocket with keys and loose change for fear something will get jammed in the hinge, even though it's closed when I'm not using it.

There is a lot of room for improvement. Despite the fact that the Duo 2 has been on the market for eight months, Microsoft's apps are the only ones that can work across both screens. Sometimes an app will open on the opposite screen from what I am expecting or an app will fail when I gesture it to full screen. Pen input in other apps is not as good as it used to be. I don't think I've ever used the drag-and-drop feature because it's not supported in many apps

There is a chance that the upcoming 12L update will improve the experience of folding devices like the Duo 2 and Fold 3. I think I will use most apps on a single screen after that update.

The Duo 2 isn't going to be a phone for everyone or most people despite the updates and fixes. It is best used as a secondary device for specific tasks, similar to how an iPad is used as a primary device. It is still more expensive than an iPad or other small tablets even after the price cut. It is ideal for people who want to take it on the go, even if they already have another phone in their pocket.

There are rumors that Microsoft won't be releasing a Duo 3 this year. It would give it more time to iron out issues and avoid the bugs that plagued the original Duo and the Duo 2 The Duo design makes it hard to use as a primary phone, and Microsoft could address that. It might be possible to attach and charge the pen without using a silly add-on case. A recent patent filing from the company imagines a Duo-like device that uses a single panel that can fold in half, instead of two separate screens. It would look cool if there was a way to eliminate the gap between the screens when you watch video.

I will be watching if Microsoft continues to refine the Duo form factor. I am curious to see where Microsoft goes with the Duo 2 after it went from one of the most problematic devices I have reviewed to one of my favorites. I have another book to read.

Dan Seifert is a photographer.