The Surface Duo 2’s chapter is closing. As highlighted by Windows Central, Microsoft has released what is expected to be the final software update for the dual-screen device—a security patch—just ahead of its October 21 end-of-support deadline.
Launched in October 2021, the Surface Duo 2 came with a promise of three years of software updates. However, since its debut, the device has only received one major platform update, upgrading from Android 11 to Android 12L. This is in stark contrast to the original Surface Duo, which saw updates from Android 10 to 11, and eventually to 12L. For context, Google’s latest Android version is now Android 15.
Compared to today’s standards, the Duo 2’s support lifespan seems dismal. Major Android manufacturers like Google and Samsung now offer up to seven generations of platform updates. This is especially disappointing considering the Duo 2’s hefty $1,500 price tag at launch. It’s an unfortunate reality for a device where software issues were always the weak point. As Engadget’s Deputy Editor Cherlynn Low noted in her 2021 review, while the Duo 2 boasted improved hardware, its inconsistent software hampered the user experience.
The lack of long-term software support for the Duo 2 is not entirely unexpected given Microsoft’s recent shift in priorities. With the company focusing more on AI, its Surface lineup has seemingly taken a backseat. According to a report from Business Insider last year, part of the reason for the departure of Panos Panay, a key figure in Microsoft’s hardware division, was due to the cancellation of several ambitious projects under his leadership.
As Microsoft turns its attention elsewhere, the Surface Duo 2 becomes another reminder of the challenges the company has faced in the mobile hardware space.
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