Microsoft Surface Duo 2 review: slightly better than its predecessor

The photo component of this Microsoft Surface Duo 2 was eagerly awaited. A single module was placed on the first model and the main improvement of this second component is the addition of two additional modules. Thus, this new Surface Duo 2 has a 12-megapixel main module and is coupled to a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, as well as a telephoto lens associated with a 12-megapixel sensor, offering 2x optical zoom. A much more muscular configuration, with a widely revised image processing, but which struggles to rise to the height of Samsung’s folding smartphone.

Main module: 12 megapixels, f / 1.7, eq. 27 mm

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (12 Mpx, 26 mm eq, f / 1.8, ISO 64, 1/100 s)

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (27mm eq, f / 1.7, ISO 38, 1/120 s)

By day, the smartphone is doing quite well – and better than the first model – but it is far from what the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can offer. The exposure is very good, but the lack of detail is obvious.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (27mm eq, f / 1.7, ISO 1158, 1/15 s)

If the nightly results of the two smartphones seem similar at first glance, a detailed examination of the surface image shows that it is sorely lacking in sharpness and that chromatic aberrations are present and affect the accuracy of the result. Too bad, since in terms of exposure and color management, Microsoft’s model is doing a little better than Samsung’s.

Ultra wide-angle module: 16 megapixels, f / 2.2, eq. 13 mm

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (12 Mpx, 12 mm eq., F / 2.2, ISO 50, 1/50 s)

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (13mm eq, f / 2.2, ISO 40, 1/120 s)

On the ultra wide-angle, the finding is identical to that made with the daytime module. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 produces a better, much more detailed picture. The software processing of the Duo 2 smoothes the shot too much and the lack of sharpness is clearly visible.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (12 Mpx, 14 mm eq, f / 2.2, ISO 2500, 1/26 s)

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (13 mm eq, f / 2.2, ISO 864, 1/15 s)

At night, Microsoft’s smartphone offers a better photo, revealing more details, despite the digital noise present over the entire surface of our scene. At Samsung, this noise is more contained, but the details are much less visible.

2x telephoto lens: 12 megapixels, f / 2.4, eq. 51 mm

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (12 Mpx, ISO 50, 1/50 s)

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (51 mm eq, f / 2.4, ISO 28, 1/50 s)

On the daytime telephoto lens, the two smartphones are equal. The reproduction of details is comparable, but the colorimetry is more accurate with the Samsung model.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (12 Mpx, ISO 1250, 1/25 s)

Microsoft Surface Duo 2 (51 mm eq, f / 2.4, ISO 1644, 1/15 s)

At night, there is no match. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is way above the Surface Duo 2, which suffers from a smooth and noisy image throughout the image. Let us grant him that on certain elements, he manages to restore surprising details, such as the colored dots at the bottom left, where the Samsung model goes monochrome.

Front module, portrait and video mode

Inside the Surface Duo 2 is a 12-megapixel module dedicated to selfies. An evolution compared to the model of last year, which was satisfied with its back module. It is therefore possible to achieve self-portraits of much better quality, but not exceptional. The smartphone struggles a little too easily as soon as a slightly strong light is in the field.

In portrait mode, the Duo 2 suffers from the same problems as many smartphones on the market. The clipping is quite imperfect, stumbling over the usual details (hair, hair) and sometimes even on parts of the body such as an arm, a hand, even an ear. An uneven result, but not unusable either.

In video, the device can shoot up to 1080p at 30 fps. It is clear that Microsoft is not betting on this feature at all. At the same time, the action of filming requires opening the smartphone, which is the same as filming with a tablet. We have seen more practical.