Engadget Logo Engajet Japanese version of Microsoft's two -screen smartphone Surface duo 2, approaching its appeal and issues again (Masahiro Sano)

Microsoft's Android smartphone "Surface Duo 2", which started selling in Japan on January 11, 2022.In addition to the Android device provided by Microsoft, which handles Windows, it is attracting high attention because there is only a smartphone that has a strong personality that has two screens.

Microsoft Japan held a media briefing on the Surface Duo 2 on January 27, 2022, and explained the process and characteristics of it again.

At the briefing, Matt Barlow, a corporate vise president in charge of Surface in Microsoft, explained that although the Surface Duo series is equipped with Android, it is "Surface" instead of telephone.Utilizing the two displays and the company's cloud service "Microsoft 365", the company states that it will expand the border between mobile devices, which will improve productivity for many moving professionals.

Therefore, Surface Duo 2 is equipped with a flexible hinge that can open and close 360 degrees, focusing on using two screens in various styles, and pre -installed apps related to Microsoft 365.On the other hand, while using "Microsoft Teams" on the other screen, a system that can efficiently use business by using the two screen and Microsoft applications and services are effective, such as looking at the materials on the other screen.It is characterized by being there.

Microsoft seems to be a policy of optimizing the app to use the two screens separately, but Matt explains that using two screens increases the productivity of work.increase.According to the company's data, there are three -quarters of the people who find it difficult to do complex tasks on one screen of smartphones, and the average work productivity by using two screens.It will improve 42%.

That is why the company has grasped that it is significant to provide two screens that leads to work efficiency in pocket sizes, and in Japan, where there are many public transportation, the concept of Surface Duo 2 is more “stuck”.It seems to be watching.

Matt, on the other hand, says that Surface Duo 2 is not only in business but also for utilizing entertainment services.In fact, in addition to major entertainment apps such as "Tiktok" and "Spotify", some game apps are also supported by the Surface Duo 2 two -screen display display.

However, even in the two -screen screening of entertainment applications, it seems that it is more important to use the two screens separately.It seems that Surface Duo 2 has a weak point that the seam between the displays appears when using two screens in one screen, but it is because of the weakness that inevitably appears between displays.On the other hand, if it is an application such as a manga or an e -book, it is a place where the application side can be used as an actual book, even if there is a seam.

By the way, compared to the first "Surface Duo" that was not sold in Japan, Surface Duo 2 also has some evolution points.One is that it can now be able to communicate faster than 5G.The other is the main camera, and compared to Surface Duo, which had no camera on the back, Surface Duo 2 has a considerable power, such as installing three cameras, a wide -angle, ultra -wide -angle, and telephoto.is.

The three cameras are mounted on the back, so the hinge cannot be opened at 360 degrees, and it is difficult to shoot with one hand because it is necessary to open the main unit 180 degrees.However, it is an advantage that you can shoot with two screens, such as checking the thumbnail on the other screen while shooting on the other screen, but if you wear a special case such as "LG VELVET", this area is installed.It seems to be common to the former LG Electronics smartphone, which is the two screens.

Speaking of two -screen smartphones, in the past, many people seemed to be "Kiwamono", but the concept of Surface Duo 2, which links it with its own apps and makes use of it as a business entity, makes sense.I feel that it is a very attractive content.However, at present, I feel that Surface Duo 2 has several issues.

One is that the review evaluation overseas, which is sold in advance, does not make much.The factors are a software problem, such as software problems, such as unstable application operation related to the two screens, and cases where the color temperature of the two screens is different.

Mr. Matt responded to the former problem, "I am updating the monthly, and I think it has improved a lot."The policy is to proceed.In order to make effective use of Surface Duo 2, the biggest feature of the two screens and the functions that make use of it become important, so the problem of solving the tasks will be the attitude of continuous improvement of Microsoft.that's right.

And the other is not to be sold from mobile companies.Although Surface Duo 2 is sold as an open model from Microsoft's official store and consumer electronics retailers, it has not been sold from four mobile phones that handle many smartphones.

Speaking of the Surface series, Y -Mobile once sold "Surface 3", which is compatible with LTE, and recently, mobile companies have started selling 5G compatible personal computers.That's why Microsoft seems to be able to cooperate with mobile companies by selling Surface Duo 2, which emphasizes business utilization.However, the company emphasizes openness in Surface Duo 2, and at this time there is no plan to cooperate with mobile companies.I didn't see much aggressive in cooperation.

Therefore, at least at this time, it is not possible to use Surface Duo 2 by applying the terminal purchase program provided by each mobile company, and it is painful for consumers that the cheapest model needs to pay 184,580 yen.is.I hope that some movements will come out in cooperation with mobile companies in the future.