What it’s worthwhile to know
- Microsoft has pulled the plug on the first-generation Surface Duo, stating on its support web page that it’s going to not ship new working system updates or safety patches for the system.
- Android 12L, which arrived for the dual-screen smartphone late final 12 months, was the final main Android OS replace for the Surface Duo.
- Surface Duo followers can nonetheless use their telephones with none issues for now.
The original Surface Duo will probably be put out to pasture after choosing up simply two main Android OS updates since launch.
Microsoft unceremoniously introduced on a support web page that it ditched software support for the three-year-old smartphone on September 10, as noticed by Windows Central. As a outcome, the first-generation Surface Duo will probably be left to fend for itself, which implies will probably be a sitting duck for safety dangers and annoying bugs.
This comes as no shock provided that Microsoft beforehand introduced that it might solely launch software updates to the system for 3 years after launch. The Surface Duo final acquired a serious replace in October of final 12 months, when it was handled to Android 12L, a particular model of Android for foldable telephones and tablets.
Nonetheless, the Surface Duo will nonetheless work as it’s, nevertheless it will not get any new options or bug fixes from Microsoft. Apps will nonetheless be up to date by their builders, however the Surface Duo could also be extra susceptible to safety dangers with out the newest safety patches.
Microsoft launched the Surface Duo in 2020 for a whopping $1,400. It was a singular telephone with two screens that may very well be folded collectively. The firm marketed it as a productiveness system the place you may run two apps side-by-side for multitasking.
While the software big promised to supply three years of support for the Surface Duo, the corporate did not actually ship. There have been only a few smaller-scale updates through the years, and the key replace to Android 11 was launched approach not on time. By the time it was rolled out, Android 12 was already out for different telephones.
This lack of software support is a serious letdown for Surface Duo homeowners, who paid a premium for a telephone that was imagined to be a productiveness powerhouse. Meanwhile, the dearer Surface Duo 2 is ready to chew the mud on October 21, 2024.