Microsoft Floor Duo 2: Worth, launch date, specs and extra
The Microsoft Floor Duo 2 has a low bar to clear in terms of surpassing its predecessor. The unique Floor Duo fascinated our reviewer final 12 months with its distinctive dual-screen type issue and intelligent options. Nonetheless, outdated {hardware} and software program quirks made it inconceivable to suggest, notably at its $1,399 value.
We’re virtually two years faraway from Microsoft’s preliminary Floor Duo announcement, regardless of its eventual September 2020 launch. Given the timeline, you’ll anticipate important adjustments. Whereas rumors level to that being partially true, there are some head-scratching {hardware} rumors. Furthermore, the {hardware} is simply a part of the puzzle; we all know Microsoft has been working with Google to enhance the software program expertise, which might make as a lot of a distinction because the {hardware} upgrades.
With foldable telephones garnering rising curiosity due to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip strains, foldables from TCL, and presumably one thing from Google later this 12 months, Microsoft has an opportunity to make a splash.
Right here’s every thing that we all know to date concerning the Floor Duo 2, together with the anticipated launch date, value, specs, and extra.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 launch date
Microsoft hasn’t made any official bulletins but concerning the Floor Duo 2 or its launch date, however rumors counsel that will probably be someday in September or October. The unique Floor Duo launched on September 10 final 12 months, so this projection aligns with our expectations and rumors relationship again to early this 12 months.
It’s price noting that that is horrible timing for Microsoft. It is going to be launching the Floor Duo 2 immediately into the iPhone 13 occasion buzzsaw that we anticipate in mid-September, or the Pixel 6 launch, which is garnering extra curiosity than any Pixel has previously.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 value
Now we have nothing official on value but both, solely the $1,399 value of the unique Floor Duo. Nonetheless, the Floor Duo 2 is predicted to obtain main {hardware} upgrades which could not bode properly for its predicted value drop.
After watching the unique Floor Duo value crater over the previous few months, we hope Microsoft finds a method to convey the Floor Duo 2’s value down, as we noticed from Samsung with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 specs
hese are all unconfirmed specs based mostly on the most recent rumors.
| Microsoft Floor Duo 2 | |
| Show | 2754 x 1892 at 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 888 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB |
| Cameras | 12MP wide-angle, ultra-wide, telephoto |
| Inner digicam | 11MP |
| Biometrics | Fingerprint reader |
| Connectivity | 5G, BT 5.1, and NFC |
| Colours | White or Black |
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 design
Leaked photos and reviews from Zac Bowden of Home windows Central, who has a superb observe report on the Floor lineup, reveal there are minimal adjustments to the Floor Duo 2. This contains the general dimensions and display screen measurement. That isn’t a severe concern because the design wasn’t one among our most important points with the Floor Duo; it’s divisive, however not essentially an issue with the machine.
That isn’t to say that there are no adjustments. Probably the most noticeable couldbe the addition of a triple digicam array to the again of the machine. The prototype {hardware} leaks don’t make this look nice. It’s extra of the jutting rectangular digicam bump of the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Fold 2 that Samsung properly dumped this 12 months. Based on a patent noticed earlier this 12 months, the hinge may additionally be extra sturdy than on the earlier mannequin.
On the within, probably the most impactful change is a bezel discount. The Floor Duo featured comically massive bezels, so it could take a dramatic discount to get wherever close to a contemporary look. Nonetheless, we must always mood expectations based mostly on the present rumors as this does not appear to be encroaching on bezel-less shows.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 cameras
Whereas the digicam array appears outsized, the excellent news is that the massive array is because of Microsoft together with a triple digicam setup this time round. Leaks counsel the first will probably be a 12MP wide-angle alongside an ultra-wide and a telephoto. Don’t anticipate Galaxy S21 Extremely-class images, however picture high quality might get nearer to the Galaxy Z Fold 3.
The digicam efficiency on the unique Floor Duo was sufficient however not glorious, and the only wide-angle was limiting. The inner digicam could also be that very same 11MP discovered within the Floor Duo, which needs to be fantastic for video calls and selfies.
The brand new rear digicam appears awkward from a design standpoint on the skinny Floor Duo. I perceive what Microsoft was considering by not together with rear cameras on the unique. Nonetheless, even with a blended cellphone/pill alternative, there’s no getting away with a single digicam in 2021.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 show
With LG out of the cellphone enterprise, Microsoft is alone within the dual-screen folding cellphone world. The unique featured twin 5.6-inch shows that created an 8.1-inch pill when utilized in full-screen mode. We don’t have display screen measurement specs but; the one indications are that it’s shut in measurement to the unique Floor Duo.
Rumors counsel the complete decision is perhaps 2754 x 1892-pixels this time, a slight enhance from the 2700 x 1800-pixel decision on the Floor Duo. The extra pixels might mirror a rise in display screen measurement or just a better PPI (pixel per inch) rely as we discovered the Floor Duo display screen to be much less sharp than anticipated for its value level.
The largest rumored improve is the leap to excessive refresh fee panels. That is one other case the place the market moved sooner than Microsoft might react, and 90Hz or 120Hz panels had been normal on flagships from each firm apart from Apple final 12 months. This alone may have a major affect as smoother animations and navigation can profoundly have an effect on the general consumer expertise.
With Samsung including S Pen assist to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, we may even see Microsoft play up the stylus assist for the Floor Duo 2 this 12 months.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 efficiency
The Floor Duo famously included outdated {hardware} when it launched final 12 months with the Snapdragon 855 processor and 6GB of RAM. For fundamental cellphone duties, this was fantastic, however contemplating the $1,399 value level, the shortage of a top-of-the-line processor and restricted RAM was unacceptable.
The anticipated transfer to a Snapdragon 888 will probably be an enormous improve. It’s a two-year leap from the early 2019 {hardware} that Microsoft launched final fall. Given the multitasking potential with the Floor Duo 2’s type issue, 12GB of RAM could be preferable, however 8GB is an inexpensive trade-off if Microsoft brings down the worth.
Microsoft Floor Duo 2 outlook
When Microsoft first introduced the Floor Duo in October of 2019, it drew lots of optimistic consideration. Samsung’s authentic Galaxy Fold was off to a disastrous begin, and it appeared like Microsoft had a strong alternative to swoop in and make a reputation for itself within the nascent foldable market.
Sadly, delays led to the cellphone not arriving till September of 2020, which meant the Floor Duo had painfully previous {hardware} inside. Compounding its issues, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 introduced in August 2020 featured an unbelievable {hardware} transformation that left the Floor Duo wanting much more outdated.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 included some good updates from the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but it surely’s much less of a leap ahead and opens up a window of alternative for Microsoft. The Floor Duo 2 ought to unquestionably be extra succesful than its predecessor. Nonetheless, Microsoft must ship a way more cohesive and dependable software program expertise whereas coming in properly beneath Samsung on pricing. The Floor Duo 2 will at all times be a distinct segment machine with its present design, but it surely might personal that area of interest if it could come shut to straightforward $1,100 flagship pricing.
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