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Following the first-generation Surface Duo, Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 is also losing software support after just one OS update.
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The Surface Duo 2 only received one major update to Android 12L, which is disappointing for a device that cost $1,500.
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Trade-in the device will get you around $120 on Microsoft’s website.
Microsoft’s foray into the foldable Android smartphone market is officially coming to an end.
The Windows giant ventured into the foldable Android market after years of development with the Surface Duo in 2020, although the device failed to gain much traction due to better competition, subpar specs and an overall poor software experience . The device never really received timely OS updates, and last year, three years after launch, Microsoft ended support for it.
The tech giant’s 2021 Surface Duo 2, which cost $1,500 at launch, fell down a similar path with its weak battery life, inconsistent camera performance, buggy software, and an overall clunky form factor. Now the second-generation foldable has also reached end of life, with Microsoft rolling out the latest security update for it.
As highlighted by WindowsCentral, the Surface Duo 2 is quickly losing software support after just one OS update. Microsoft’s Surface Lifecycle page suggests the last scheduled security update for the Surface Duo 2 is October 21, 2024, with a 54MB security update now rolling out.
Launched with Android 11, the foldable device received just one major update that brought it to Android 12L – a significant disappointment for a device priced at $1,500. Microsoft ending support for the 2nd generation Duo fits into its broader strategy to cut back on its Surface device portfolio, almost a year after the departure of Panos Panay, Microsoft’s former head of Windows and Surface. This marks the official end of the Surface Duo line, and Microsoft likely has no plans to revive it. This is Lumia all over again.
What now?
Well, nothing actually changes. If you’ve been using your Surface Duo 2, you can continue using it, but be warned: you’re at risk of future vulnerabilities and exploits. Additionally, without security updates, some apps may stop working or become unstable on older devices. Your best hope is to hope that LineageOS picks up the slack, as you’ll only get about $60 per screen if you decide to trade in your 128GB Surface Duo 2 for another Microsoft product, or you can opt to click on Play Services software solutions that can be trusted.
If security and app compatibility are of utmost importance, it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer device.