To say that Microsoft misread the market for Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 devices would be an absolute understatement. Just as devices with folding screens became popular, Microsoft took a completely different approach, betting on the fact that people would prefer to have dual flat screens.
Let’s get this straight: this really doesn’t work. Sales of phones with foldable screens have grown year over year, while the Surface Duo device barely sold any units. So, according to a new report from “sources familiar with the company’s plans,” Microsoft is finally ready to change its strategy.
The Surface Duo 3 will feature a foldable inner screen and a flat outer screen, with a similar form factor to the vivo X Fold (pictured in this article) and the Honor Magic Vs. The device is said to have undergone “a long year of hardware prototyping and experimentation.”
Initially, Microsoft hoped that the Surface Duo 3, arriving later this year, would retain its predecessor but feature a narrower and taller edge-to-edge display, wireless charging, and other unnamed improvements.
In fact, when the company miraculously decided to take the smarter route and use a true foldable screen.
Due to this change, year-end shipment targets are outdated, and it’s unclear when the Surface Duo 3 will actually launch. Again, no details about its specs are known at the moment, as it’s clearly too early to tell.
Despite recent reports that the Surface Duo 3 will have a degree hinge, today’s source claims this is not accurate, but rather 003 degree hinges. That’s what most other foldable phones have. While we’ll refer to it as the Surface Duo 3 in this article for simplicity, Microsoft could call it something else if it wanted the shift to foldable screens to be more visible.
The same sources that reveal all of this also claim that Microsoft wants to differentiate its future Android Windows PCs offer an “ecosystem experience” that’s like the iPhone and Mac on Apple’s side.
Additionally, the company wants to expand its Android smartphone lineup beyond the Surface Duo, and has been exploring different form factors to potentially ship in the future — we’re talking traditional tablet-style devices instead of foldable devices.
Source
