As well as the comparatively low-end chip running the show – at least for such an expensive device – a lack of 5G connectivity was also noted by reviewers. The price at the time put it on par with a high-end iPhone or Android device, thus inviting some unkind comparisons. The hardware behind the scenes was also decidedly mediocre, with Snapdragon 855 silicon, a below-average camera and limited, non-expandable storage.
When it first launched in the US in September 2020, it was priced at $1,399, and when it finally made it to UK shores in February 2021, the dual-screen Android phone initially retailed at an eyewatering £1,349 ($1,683). And goodness, the Surface Duo was certainly an expensive bit of kit.