While, on one hand, the first images of Android 12 have surfaced the internet, Android 11 is yet to arrive on several devices from different OEMs. One of which is the Microsoft Surface Duo.
Notably, Microsoft took the right step, and came up, not only with an Android device but also a folding phone. Though the Microsoft Surface Duo is not as elegant or good looking foldable device compared to Galaxy Z Fold 2, it was still a pretty hyped product in 2020.
Shifting our focus from the debatable hardware and design, let us get our attention to software. It came with Android 10 out of the box and as of now, has received a total of five updates.
Five updates is a nice thing and show Microsoft is working continuously, fixing the bugs on the Surface Duo. But one expects such a pricy device to be the first in line to grab the latest firmware update, i.e. Android 11.
Good thing is that new reports suggest the Microsoft Surface Duo is scheduled to pick up the Android 11 update by summer.
By mid-2021, Surface Duo will likely be served with the Android 11 update
This piece of information comes from Dr. Windows. It is an online platform offering the latest news from the world of Windows. The website claims that the information was revealed in a briefing with executives from Microsoft USA working on the Surface Duo project group.
Moreover, it also suggests that Microsoft has been working closely with Google for the software development of the Surface Duo. What does this imply? Well, you guessed it right, the Android 11 update.
The company is working on improving the Microsoft Surface Duo’s dual-display. We all know the Surface Duo suffered from un-responsive software and the dual-displays were not properly optimized, resulting in a sluggish performance.
Zac Bowden from Windows Central also shared the same information. As per Zac’s sources, the update should reach the Surface Duo by mid-2021.
Android 12 is already in the works and we may soon see the developer preview build of this year’s Android firmware. However, it will most likely arrive for Google Pixel phones and some select Android devices.
Microsoft took the right path in introducing a foldable Android device, but the execution and the launch were not on point. The experience of the phone also did not justify the price of the device.
Thankfully, late as it may sound, Microsoft has slashed the price of the Surface Duo by almost $400. It now costs around $1000. Besides, the company will soon launch the device in Europe. But the new discounted price is expected to be exclusive for the US region.