The Biggest Cell Phone Is Hilariously Large

Key Points

• Many foldable phones have screen sizes averaging more than seven inches.
• The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is the biggest cell phone on the market, with dual displays measuring 8.3 inches when open.
• Despite its large size, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 boasts an excellent battery which supports up to 28 hours of talk time.

No one knows for sure if the rise of foldable mobile phones was due to our search for the biggest cell phone or because we wanted to go hands-free. Either way, companies like Huawei, Samsung, Vivo, OPPO, and Microsoft have really given Apple a run for its money when it comes to large phones.

With screen sizes averaging above seven inches, foldable phones are especially great for multitasking. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series may have been the talk of the town, but they’re not the only phones of this kind these days.

In fact, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is the biggest cell phone, with dual displays that measure 8.3 inches when open. Other notable characteristics of the phone include a resolution of 2688 x1892, a 90Hz refresh rate, and AMOLED displays with up to 800 nits of peak brightness. The phone has a battery life of up to 15.5 hours of video and playback or 28 hours of talk time on a full battery, making this phone excellent for business use.

The Biggest Cell Phone: Best Deal Today

• Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (NewEgg) – $2,169
• Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (Amazon) – $2,279

The Biggest Cell Phone

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 5G 256GB (Unlocked) - Glacier

$1,399.99

• Foldable screen with AMOLED displays
• With displays open: 8.3-inches, single screen is 5.8 inches
• Dual displays have 90Hz adaptive refresh rate
• Up to 28 hours of battery life
• Triple-lens rear-facing camera

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/26/2023 07:25 am GMT

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Overview

Over the last few years, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has generated a great deal of hype. As the biggest cell phone on the market, that is no surprise. However, aside from its size, what makes it so special? Here’s everything you need to know about this phone.

Release Date and Price

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 was originally released in October 2021. Initially, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 was priced at $1,500 for the 128 GB version and $100 higher for the 256 GB model. That price has since gone up due to its scarcity. At the time of writing, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is in short supply, prompting suspicion that Microsoft may discontinue the phone. Microsoft has reported that the unavailability is due to stock shortages and that the phone is still considered an important part of the Surface portfolio.

Different Models

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 comes in two colors:

• Obsidian: Jet black
• Glacier: Light blue

The phone also comes with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of storage.

Features

The most notable feature of the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is the two screens that let you see and do more. Featuring the Google Android operating system, the biggest cell phone has Microsoft 365 apps, such as Teams, Outlook, Office, Edge, and OneDrive optimized for dual screens. The Revolutionary Hinge feature lets you fold the phone per your preference. The phone also has a Glance Bar that lets you see incoming calls, messages, and emails. The fast 5G connection allows you to stay connected so you can play games, watch videos, and keep working on the go.

Specifications

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Review

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has its pros and cons. Does it live up to the hype? Check out our detailed review to find out.

Design

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 was made for business. Since there are two screens, you can talk to your colleagues on Microsoft Teams while making notes on the side. It features the Revolutionary Hinge, which allows you to fold the phone your preferred way.

Unlike the first Surface Duo phone, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 does not include a rubber bumper for protection. However, Microsoft did make a bumper for the Surface Duo 2 that can be purchased separately.

Another thing to keep in mind about the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is the large size won’t fit in your pocket, so you must put it in your bag. Plus, it’s hard to use the phone one-handed. A recent update shows third-party chat app notifications on the front screen, but that doesn’t solve the problem of opening the phone to use it. Even though it’s big, however, the phone is flexible and thin.

Display

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has two high-resolution PixelSense Fusion Displays. A single screen is 5.8 inches. When unfolded, the dual displays are a combined 8.3 inches, as if you’re holding two phones side by side. If you buy the Surface Slip Pen, you can easily use the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 as a tablet or a small digital notebook.

The display material is Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which makes the phone durable and resistant to scratches. The 90Hz adaptive refresh rate ensures a seamless viewing experience. At 800 nits max brightness, you can read texts and notifications on your phone even on a sunny day.

Hardware and Software

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with 5G support. This high-end chipset provides excellent performance for multitasking and gaming. The phone also has 8GB RAM for smooth operation. It is available in three storage variations: 128GB, 256GB, and 512 GB.

The following Microsoft applications come pre-installed:

• Microsoft Authenticator
• Microsoft Bing Search
• Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and More
• Microsoft OneDrive
• Microsoft OneNote
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Lens PDF Scanner
• Microsoft Start
• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft To Do

Camera and Video

Since the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is mainly made for business functionality, you might expect the camera and video quality to be mediocre. However, that’s not the case. 

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 features a dynamic triple-lens rear-facing camera. The specifications of each lens are as follows:

• Wide: It’s a 12MP lens with f/1.7 aperture, dual-pixel OIS (optical image stabilization), and PDAF (phase detection autofocus).
• Telephoto: The 12MP telephoto lens has an aperture of f/2.4 with 2x optical zoom, OIS, and PDAF.
• Ultra-Wide: The ultra-wide lens is 16MP and has an f/2.2 aperture. It also features a 110-degree diagonal field of view. The distortion correction allows for better stabilization. 

The front-facing camera is 12MP with 24mm f/2.0 aperture. It has a dual-color flash to take pictures in low light. The Auto mode also allows low-light photography and HDR multi-frame capture.

All three rear-facing cameras have digital zoom of up to 10x. The phone has the following photography modes:

• Night mode for night-time photography
• Portrait mode with support for telephoto and wide lens (also uses machine learning for depth control)
• Panorama mode featuring a wide dynamic range

You can also take pictures during video recording or take short videos during photography with a long press. As for video recording, you can record at 1080p with 30 and 60fps. 4K recording is also available with 30 and 60fps. Slow-motion video recording is possible at 120 and 240fps.

Network and Connectivity

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 has Bluetooth 5.1 support and Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax at 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Supporting 3G, 4G, and 5G, the phone is compatible with all major networks. You can use the fast and reliable 5G to do work-related tasks anywhere worldwide.

Plus, the Microsoft 365 productivity apps are a massive plus for remote workers. The OneDrive cloud storage allows you to share files and keep your important documents safe.

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 also has dual sim support — one eSIM and one Nano SIM. However, the eSIM requires you to have a wireless service plan. Depending on the carrier, the eSIM may be disabled if you switch your wireless service provider.

Battery

With a 4449mAh (typical) dual battery, the biggest cell phone offers a talk time of 28 hours or 15.5 hours of video playback. Since the phone supports fast charging with the Microsoft Surface 23W USB-C Power Supply, your phone will be at 100% in just over an hour. Although the battery life is not as long as some other phones, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 can take you through a workday without a recharge.

Audio Output

Thanks to the stereo speaker, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 delivers better audio than most smartphones on the market. The dual mic also features AI-powered noise suppression to let you take video calls without disruption. Also, the acoustic echo canceling keeps the audio crystal clear and bass-rich. The phone supports most audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, MID, MIDI, RTTL, RTX, MP4, MKV, WAV, AND OGG.

Security

Since the phone is catered to business users, Microsoft has paid close attention to security features. The phone has a fingerprint reader for a biometric lock. Other lock types include password, PIN, and swipe.

Microsoft Authenticator is also pre-installed to give you two-factor authentication. It supports Microsoft accounts and apps, such as Outlook and Office 365.

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fast chipset for smooth processing
• Business-friendly design
• Impressive camera
• Large size for multitasking

Cons

• Only has an 8GB RAM
• Experiences UI bugs

Microsoft Surface Duo 2: Is It a Buy?

So, is the biggest cell phone worth its exorbitant price tag? It depends on your preferences.

Buy It if…

You need a phone for business use. 

The dual screens on the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 make it ideal for multitasking. If you need a phone for work or want to use multiple apps simultaneously, opt for the Microsoft Surface Duo 2.

You need a companion device. 

Since it’s hard to use Microsoft Surface Duo 2 single-handedly and it is awkward to pull out of your bag at a party, the phone is better suited as a companion device. Think of it like a mini-computer or a tablet.

Don’t Buy It if…

You only need a phone for personal use. 

If your reason for buying a phone involves watching Netflix, taking pictures, and chatting with your friends, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 might be too much for you. The price tag is hefty, and two screens may not be necessary.

You’re on a budget. 

The Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is quite expensive for a personal use phone. Instead, you can get the iPhone 13 or the latest Samsung model for much less.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mr.Mikla/Shutterstock.com.