The Surface Duo is dead — Microsoft pulls plug on $1,500 Surface Duo 2 after just one Android OS upgrade

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Microsoft has issued the final security update for Surface Duo 2 ahead of its end of support date on October 21.

Surface Duo 2 Herobox
(Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft has issued what is believed to be the final security update for Surface Duo 2.
  • The Surface Duo 2's support window will end on October 21, meaning no more support or updates are planned.
  • Microsoft only ever delivered one major Android OS update for the $1,500 device.

The Surface Duo 2 has just received its likely final security update, marking an end to Microsoft’s brief return to the smartphone market. The company originally launched Surface Duo 2 in October 2021, and promised to support the product with software updates for three years. Microsoft was only able to deliver one major Android version update in that time, a pitiful number for a $1,500 device. 

Microsoft already dropped support for the original Surface Duo last year, but at least that device saw more than one major Android version update. Launching with Android 10, the original Surface Duo was updated to Android 11 and Android 12L during its lifecycle — still short of the usual three major OS updates most Android makers deliver but better than the Surface Duo 2, which launched with Android 11 and was only ever updated to Android 12L.

The company threw in the towel with Android phone hardware last year when it decided to cut back on the Surface device portfolio, leading to the departure of ex-Windows and Surface boss Panos Panay. Since then, Microsoft has brushed Surface Duo under the rug, and now the Surface Duo 2 has received its final security update ahead of the end of support date on October 21, meaning no more support is planned. 

And that marks the true end to Surface Duo. The product line is dead, and Microsoft has no intention of reviving it with future Android phone hardware. This is the second time that Microsoft has abandoned a phone business, the first time being with Windows Phone and Lumia in 2017.

If Microsoft ever attempts to launch a new phone in the future, I will be the first to tell you to steer well clear. Microsoft had a chance to redeem itself with the Surface Duo, and it failed miserably. Charging $1,500 for a phone that was only ever updated with a new version of Android once is inexcusable. Microsoft doesn’t deserve a third chance. 

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

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Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter and Threads

13 Comments Comment from the forums
  • GraniteStateColin
    The conclusion that we shouldn't trust another MS phone is EXACTLY why Microsoft's abandoning products with such abandon was a strategic mistake. When a company supports its products, customers trust a new entrant. They buy it. This reduces the risk and therefore cost of product development and go-to-market plan. Conversely, as Microsoft has done here, they have made it so users won't trust a new product. This makes launching ANYTHING new very expensive for Microsoft.

    I hope this is a lesson for everyone on why supporting a product and giving it every fighting chance at success, erring on the side of supporting for too long over too little, is the right move. Even if it loses money on that product, it tells your customers and the market to trust you for the next one. That can save money in the long run by reducing launch costs in the future.

    And yet, I confess, if Microsoft makes a new phone one day, I don't know that I'll ignore it. I did get good years' usage out of my Windows Phones and Duos before MS flatlined them. They were my favorite devices. If the form factor were interesting, I think I would give MS a shot. I also know that I'm in the minority on this per the damage they did to themselves in the market as noted above.
    Reply
  • Olumide O
    Another one bites the dust
    Reply
  • Papictu
    Microsoft's incompetence in the consumer markets is unrivaled, the device itself was competitive, but the absurd price and poor marketing management make failure inevitable, they end up doing what they always do, refocusing the product to businesses and abandoning their users, further fueling the image of distrust in their products.

    It pains me for brands like Xbox, which have a lot of potential to succeed but end up falling because of the infinite incompetence that this company seems to demonstrate managing any product that is not intended for businesses.
    Reply
  • Arun Topez
    Ironically, they patented a new foldable mobile device recently on October 1st that looks similar to Duo.
    What's the point though? Unless they commit to promise a longer support cycle like the other major players are doing and actually push for consumers and developer support, then there's zero reason to support Microsoft's mobile devices anymore, especially at this price point because it will just be a repeat of the same story over and over again.
    Reply
  • DaveDansey
    Still got my Lumia 1020 - loved that phone.

    I don't jump on new things early, so was holding out for a Duo 3 (despite being gutted that it was to run Android). Of course that never happened.

    If they do try again in the phone space, 3rd time lucky right!?

    (maybe 4th time, if I include Windows mobile running on an XDA2i PDA - which I used for years as my only phone!).
    Reply
  • thearchbishop
    This all makes sense. Microsoft is most likely getting ready to launch Windows 12 based Surface Phone in 2025, and they no longer want to waste any resources on Android.
    Reply
  • negative1ne
    so what, if it didn't work out.

    they thought there was a demand, since they made the surface duo,
    which i 've been using for the last 2 years. obviously, people wanted another one.

    maybe not enough.

    but i will always stick with windows phone.
    the surface duo supports 5g, and thats not going away any time some.

    so i'll buy a duo 2 used, and keep it for future use.

    i stuck with windows phone 7.5 for 5 years, windows phone 8-10 for 2 years,
    and now the surface duo.

    later
    || || || | | |
    ne gative 1
    Reply
  • spicypadthai
    thearchbishop said:
    This all makes sense. Microsoft is most likely getting ready to launch Windows 12 based Surface Phone in 2025, and they no longer want to waste any resources on Android.
    The "most likely" scenario is that there is a 0% chance Microsoft will ever release another phone, let alone in 2025.
    Reply
  • Jcmg62
    I've been burned too many times to even be angry or resentful any longer.... Windows phone, band, zune.

    The abandonment of Zune was inconvenient, giving up on band was upsetting, but walking away from WP was just tragic.

    Anyway, I'm hoping to get another 2-3 years out of my Duo 2, and will see what's available then.

    Who knows, maybe Microsoft will bring out an AI driven phone that will have people queuing round the corner :)
    Reply
  • Stephen Townsley
    Farewell to Surface Duo, and obviously adieu to Hololens. Great fanfare at the launch and then an end of life notification.

    Panos Pany introduced the Duo with enthusiasm. He also introduced the Lumia 950 years ago. The latter with a thought that he had just endured root canal. Both have ended on the bonfire.

    The Duo was fine. However, after the dumping of WindowsPhone, the advocates of Microsoft mobile projects were few in number. They had been burned and weren't coming back. I settled with Apple once WindowsPhone was gone. Stephen Elop, the former head of Microsoft's mobile division, was right when he said mobile was about ecosystems. Microsoft didn't have a consistent ecosystem of products for consumers. The Duo was just an expensive mobile device that filled a fairly niche business market,

    Microsoft is making money from the cloud. From server. From games. Mobile and consumer are no longer there. They will get over it. People stayed away from this expensive product. They were right to do so.
    Reply