Time Magazine votes Surface Duo one of "The Best Inventions of 2020"

The Surface Duo smartphone is at least 10 years in coming, starting with the concept of the Courier in 2009.

After much trials and tribulations, the device finally came to market on the 10th September, and now the innovative handset has finally achieved some recognition by being voted one of “The Best Inventions of 2020” by Time Magazine.

The publication writes:

Is it a phone or is it a notebook? In the case of Microsoft’s Surface Duo, the answer is it’s both. The dual-screen Android smartphone ($1,399) opens like a spiral binder, revealing a pair of screens. Unfold it and it’s a digital ­notebook—drag items from one app to another, expand a single app to fill both screens (perfect for reading), or use a Surface Pen to get some writing done on one screen while you chat on the other. You can also fold the device back over itself and use the single screen as a traditional cell?phone. The Surface Duo feels like a concept device but also a glimpse into the future of mobile computing: it won’t replace your iPhone and its killer camera just yet, but it’s easy to see how it one day might.

The handset is $1399.99 and $1499.99 number for the 128 GB and 256 GB model respectively, but on Black Friday will be discounted $200 each, with the handset expected to once again start at $1199.99 for the 128 GB model.

Surface Duo is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC, a 6GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of storage. The device has two AMOLED 5.6-inch screens with a resolution of 1800 x 1350 and 401 dpi, Microsoft is calling it 8.1″ PixelSense Fusion display. Microsoft has included a 3,460 mAh battery to power the hardware. The main highlight of the device is its 360-degree hinge, allowing you to use each 5.6″ display individually or together, across a variety of modes. Also, the Surface Duo only comes with a single 11mp camera. The device runs on Android 10 with Microsoft Launcher as the UI, with Microsoft reportedly working on an Android 11 update soon after launch.

You can also buy Microsoft Complete for Surface Duo with Accidental Damage Coverage. Microsoft Complete for Surface Duo provides extended protection for your device and includes accidental damage coverage for two years. Also includes software and hardware support.

• Mechanical breakdown coverage
• Accidental damage coverage
• Unlimited technical support
• Microsoft-backed service

You can now keep an eye on the Surface Duo deals from Microsoft Store here.