Hey there! Have you seen some of the massive smartphones hitting the market lately? With foldable displays and dual screen designs, handsets keep getting more radical. I recently got to test drive the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 – the biggest cell phone available at over 8 inches! Read on for my experience living with this pocketable mini-tablet.
Let‘s start with some mobile history first. Phones have gone through quite the growth spurt over the years…
A Brief History of Oversized Cell Phones
Remember the giant mobile phones from the 80s and 90s? Early models like the Motorola DynaTAC were over 10 inches long and needed their own man purse!
Fortunately, handsets gradually shed the excess bulk over the years as technology improved. Things started slimming down once clamshell and slider form factors appeared in the early 2000s.
Of course, then smartphone screens started expanding again after the iPhone and Android platforms took over. Samsung ushered in a new era of jumbo screens with 2011‘s 5.3” Galaxy Note. This kicked off the “phablet” craze of phones blurring the line with tablets.
By 2019, Samsung was at it again with the radical Galaxy Fold. Its flexible 7.3” display made history as the world‘s first foldable smartphone. This proved there was demand out there for even bigger mobile screens.
Enter Microsoft coming in hot in 2021 with the Surface Duo 2 – the current largest smartphone dimensions when unfolded. Check out those stats:
Surface Duo 2 Tech Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | Open: 145.2 x 184.5 x 5.5 mm Closed: 145.2 x 92.1 x 11 mm |
| Weight | 284 grams |
| Display | Dual PixelSense Fusion AMOLED Single Screen: 5.8” Combined (Unfolded): 8.3” |
| Screen Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz adaptive |
| Brightness | Up to 800 nits |
You get the idea – this thing is a relative beast! Now let‘s dive deeper into living with this odd dual screen dynamo…
My Experience: Pros and Cons of Using a Giant Phone
After extensively testing the Surface Duo 2 as my daily driver, I have some definite thoughts on using such an outrageous phone. Let‘s break down the highs and lows.
Pro: It‘s Great for Multitasking
Thanks to its two screens, the Duo 2 is excellent for multitasking. I can have multiple work apps like Slack, Trello, Outlook, and Chrome open at the same time. It makes me far more productive compared to constantly switching apps on my old phone. Everything I need is just a glance or tap away without compromising screen space.
Con: Typing is Super Awkward
While nice for passively viewing content, typing on the Duo 2 is awkward and tedious. Simple things like texting require cradling the unfolded display while trying to tap messages out with your thumbs. Given the 4:3 aspect ratio, the keyboard also takes up over 40% of vertical screen space too. I found myself avoiding longer typing sessions whenever possible.
Pro: Killer Battery Life
Given its dual power-hungry displays, the Duo 2 battery holds up shockingly well. Even after heavy daily use spanning 9+ hours, I never felt range anxiety. The 4,449 mAh battery keeps chugging thanks to software optimized for longevity. Plus it charges rapidly when juice runs low. I was easily getting 1.5 days of use per charge.
Con: It‘s Bulky and Tough to Get
At 11mm thick when closed, the Surface Duo 2 is extremely chunky by phone standards. While not exactly pocketable, I could cram it into my jacket if necessary. Just expect lots of unsightly bulges that will draw looks! Also, Microsoft is still struggling to produce enough units, so getting your hands on one requires dedication.
Pro: Fantastic for Video Calls
Dual screens fundamentally changes video calling. You can throw a call on one display while accessing calendars, notes, or anything else you need on the adjacent screen. It leaves other phones and their split screen limitations in the dust in this regard. The extra real estate is game changing for remote work.
And that‘s just a taste – there are plenty more ups and downs I could share! But would I ultimately recommend buying this mega phone?
Should You Buy the Surface Duo 2?
I think the Surface Duo 2 makes the most sense for professionals constantly working while on the go. The gobs of screen space completely supercharges productivity when multitasking. I could also see it being great for creative fields like design, video editing etc where screen space is invaluable. Plus the build quality and performance exceed expectations.
However, more mainstream consumers likely don‘t need a phone this radical unless you realllly love huge screens. For general smartphone use focused on social, streaming, and photography, compact foldables like the Samsung Z Fold 4 provide excellent versatility at lower cost with fewer compromises.
In many ways, I see the Duo line as a roadmap for the future though. As phones creep up in display size, dual screens could provide compelling use cases compared to single flexible displays. But Microsoft still has work to do refining software and hardware before dual screens go fully mainstream.
I hope sharing my Surface Duo 2 experiences gives you a better idea of how these mega phones perform in daily life! Let me know if you have any other questions.
