I Still Prefer the Microsoft Surface Duo Over Modern Foldables - Here’s Why

It’s 2025, and we’ve seen just about every foldable that matters hit the market — from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Motorola Razr Ultra. Each brand has pushed the limits of foldable tech, improving durability, hinge design, and display quality. And yet, I still find myself reaching for my old Microsoft Surface Duo.

Yes, it’s an aging device. It’s not flashy, and it’s long past its prime in terms of specs. But even with all the sleek new tech on the market, no one has managed to recreate the Surface Duo’s unique experience. Here’s why this book-style foldable still holds a special place for me.

The Form Factor That Just Works

Before anyone else even dreamed of making thin foldables, Microsoft was already doing it five years ago. When unfolded, the Surface Duo measured just 4.8mm thick — not too far off from the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4.2mm. Sure, Samsung’s device packs in a flexible inner display, but the Duo’s slim and balanced design makes it incredibly comfortable to hold and use.

I love that I can fold the Surface Duo completely shut, protecting both displays with its Gorilla Glass panels. It’s something you can’t really do with most foldables today, where you’re always worrying about scratching the inner flexible screen. The Duo feels more solid and practical — a true modern digital notebook.

And let’s talk about that hinge — it’s pure craftsmanship. Smooth, sturdy, and infinitely adjustable. You can use it in tent mode, lay it flat like a book, or fold it back on itself. Unlike most of today’s foldables, it doesn’t feel fragile or overly complicated. It just works.

Multitasking Like No Other

Every year, I keep hoping a new foldable will copy Microsoft’s brilliant multitasking system — and every year, I’m disappointed.

The Surface Duo’s dual 5.6-inch displays made running two apps side by side effortless. You could pull up app pairs, swipe one away, and bring in another instantly. No awkward split-screen juggling, no laggy resizing — just smooth, natural multitasking. Even after five years, it’s still one of the best implementations of multitasking on Android.

Admittedly, the Duo didn’t have the smoothest start. The original Android 10 experience was buggy and rough around the edges, but by the time Android 12 rolled out, the device had matured beautifully. It became both a productivity tool and a personal device — a glass slab when you wanted simplicity and a two-screen powerhouse when you needed to get things done.

The Duo 3 That Never Happened

When rumors started circulating about a Surface Duo 3 with a single folding display, I was both excited and a little heartbroken. I understood why Microsoft wanted to move in that direction — after all, foldable displays were becoming the industry standard — but it felt like the company was abandoning what made the original so special.

Unfortunately, with the Duo series not selling in big numbers, Microsoft pulled the plug before the third generation ever launched. It’s a shame because the Duo’s concept had potential. It wasn’t just another folding phone — it was a new way of interacting with apps and multitasking.

Much like the LG Wing or the Asus Zenfone Flip, the Surface Duo was an experiment that dared to be different. And while those designs didn’t survive, they pushed the boundaries of what smartphones could look like. I wish more brands would take that same risk today.

The Foldable Future Needs a Bit of the Past

Now, with tri-folding phones and hybrid designs on the horizon, innovation is clearly alive — but it’s also getting expensive. A Surface Duo-style foldable would actually be more affordable to produce in 2025, especially since dual-screen tech is simpler and more durable than flexible OLEDs. Still, I doubt many companies will bother revisiting that path.

What I’d love to see is someone revive the Duo’s software concept. Modern foldables have massive inner displays — the perfect playground for running two apps side by side. Yet, somehow, no one has truly nailed the simplicity of Microsoft’s dual-app workflow.

A Foldable I’ll Never Forget

The Microsoft Surface Duo might be a relic in 2025, but it remains one of the most elegant and thoughtful designs in foldable history. It wasn’t perfect — far from it — but it dared to rethink how we use our phones. It combined the productivity of a mini-laptop with the convenience of a smartphone, all wrapped in a form factor that felt futuristic then and still holds up today.

While everyone else is chasing thinner bezels and bigger folding screens, I’ll keep my Duo close. It’s more than nostalgia — it’s the fact that no one has truly improved on its idea. Until someone does, the Surface Duo will always be my favorite foldable of all time.