Microsoft Dual Screen Phone Pre-Orders Available — Don’t Buy It.

Microsoft just announced that the Surface Duo is available for pre-order. Many people, including myself, have been excited to see the device in action for quite a while. However, with the price point that Microsoft is using for the device, it's hard not to be disappointed.

The Surface Duo — The Dual Screen Foldable

The Surface Duo is Microsoft's first cell-phone sized device since Windows Phone. If you remember Windows Phone at all, you'll remember that it ended disastrously. Unable to convince software developers to support the platform, Windows Phone devices began to be discontinued after 2017.

The Surface Duo is a unique ‘dual screen' device, built for multi-tasking and productivity. It shares the same design as the Microsoft Surface Pro two-in-one laptop series, but it has the size and form factor of a cell phone.

Also, learning from its mistakes with Windows Phone, Microsoft has worked hard alongside software developers to bring app support to the device. Plus, it's running Android, so it can run any Android app at least on one screen at a time. The trouble is getting apps to run at both screens at once, which not all apps can do yet.

Microsoft has been careful not to call the device a phone. To them, it is a ‘Surface device' that coincidentally can make can receive calls. However, because of its size and the fact that it is also launching with support from AT&T, it's hard to not think of this thing as a phone.

How The Duo Stands Against The Competition

On August 5th, Samsung unveiled their Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, a revolutionary new foldable phone. Based on the launch price of the first Galaxy Fold, we can expect the new foldable to launch at a price of about $2,000 or even more.

It's no coincidence that the Surface Duo has been announced soon after the Galaxy Unpacked event. Microsoft recognizes that the Duo is a potential alternative to the Z Fold 2. But, can the Surface Duo stand up to the beast that is the Z Fold 2?

Unfortunately, I'm not so sure. Microsoft is currently pricing the 128 GB Surface Duo model at $1399. That might be pocket change for some, but not the majority of buyers.

I made a table below that compares the two devices. I've also added a very important device, the LG V60 ThinQ, which has an optional dual screen case that makes it very similar to the Surface Duo.

As you can see, the Surface Duo falls short in many areas against both devices. However, what catches my eye the most is the price. The Surface Duo is definitely cheaper than what we expect the Z Fold 2 to cost, but it is still $400 more expensive than the V60 ThinQ which has better specs.

Specs like battery life and camera quality aren't everything though. The software on the Surface Duo has been very fine-tuned. Despite using last year's processor and mediocre specs, the Duo's user experience is probably thought out better than the V60 ThinQ's dual screen UI.

If you are looking for a dual screen foldable alternative to the Galaxy Z Fold 2 for an affordable price, the Surface Duo just doesn't quite cut it. Imagine all the other more useful things you could buy for $1400. You could get an iPad Pro, a Surface Laptop 3, or a fully loaded iPhone 11 Pro Max.

What Microsoft Should Have Done

If Microsoft really wanted to corner the dual screen market with their software advantage using a device with lower specs, charging between $800 and $900 to compete with the LG V60 or the upcoming LG Velvet would have been ideal. More consumers would have gotten their hands on it as an alternative to the absurdly expensive Galaxy Z Fold 2, and they wouldn't have to worry as much about people choosing LG instead.

The Surface Duo isn't a bad device by any means. It's been fine tuned for nearly a year with a great software experience. The fact that it lacks many features that other phones have isn't bad. What's bad is charging this high of a price it when it doesn't have those features.

Very few people are going to buy this device unless they are hardcore Microsoft and Surface fans, and that means less money in Microsoft's pockets.

So, How Are They Getting Away With It?

Let's face it. Apple has been playing this same strategy for years now. iPhones are powerful mobile machines, but there's no denying that the prices that Apple charges for their phones aren't just for the hardware alone. It's for the brand, the build quality, and that nice box it comes in.

That's a sacrifice that a lot of people are willing to make, and that's why Microsoft feels comfortable pushing the price to the absolute limit despite the Surface Duo's lackluster specs.

Microsoft has a loyal following just like Apple does. Fans of the Surface lineup love this device. I really like the Duo as well, but there are a few people out there who are willing to look beyond the price tag either because they have a lot of money to spend, or because they are diehard Microsoft fans.

Despite the title of this article, don't let me tell you what to do with your money. If you're passionate about Microsoft, Surface, and this device, go for it. However, I strongly recommend that you consider your options before you blow $1,400 to $1,500 on a cell phone with last year's specs.

What Now?

Maybe Microsoft still has time to take a step back and give a much more reasonable and justifiable price point that will draw people to buy the Duo instead of the Galaxy Z Fold 2. However, I wouldn't hold my breath. I'm a fan of the Duo, but I know that Microsoft most likely won't cave on their high pricing strategy, so it's unlikely I'll ever pick one up.

If using two screens instead of one interests you, I strongly recommend you take a look at the LG V60 ThinQ or the upcoming LG Velvet.

That, or, hold out for the successor of the Surface Duo. It's possible that they might learn from their mistakes and charge less for it. Or, they may pack all sorts of great features into the Surface Duo V2 to make it worth its high price. We'll have to wait and see.