Microsoft stunned lots of people when it returned to smartphones in 2019, even when the brand new gadget was a dual-screen Android foldable.
The Floor Duo ultimately arrived the next 12 months, but it surely had severe {hardware} shortcomings that had been onerous to miss. 2021’s second try was a giant step ahead, though there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment.
A 3rd technology is due quickly, but it surely won’t be referred to as a Floor Duo or characteristic separate shows. Or might Microsoft hand over on folding telephones completely? Right here’s every little thing we all know at this stage.
When will the Floor Duo 3 be launched?
With the unique Floor Duo lastly being launched in September 2020 and its successor arriving October 2021, you might be forgiven for pondering Microsoft had settled into an annual replace cycle – as is the case with most telephones.
Nonetheless, there was no new Floor Duo in 2022, with Microsoft specializing in delivering a number of software program updates to the Duo 2 as a substitute. Ewan Spence at Forbes urged in Might 2022 that there would now be two years between generations.
But when the January 2023 Home windows Central report of its cancellation seems to be true, creator Zac Bowden says its book-style substitute is “unlikely to be prepared in time for this fall”.
Microsoft has introduced what’s believed to be a Floor occasion in New York Metropolis on 21 September 2023. However don’t count on the Duo 3 or another foldable to be introduced there – as a substitute, the Floor Go 4, Floor Laptop computer Studio 2 and Floor Laptop computer Go 3 are all rumoured.
A late 2024 launch seems to be the goal, however might the challenge be cancelled altogether? In a Might 2023 Home windows Central article, Bowden says “it doesn’t appear like Microsoft has the sources to totally make investments on this imaginative and prescient”.
For the Duo 3 (or any Microsoft folding telephone) to reach in the direction of the tip of subsequent 12 months, it’s going to “want all of the necessary Android software program groups at Microsoft to get behind any future imaginative and prescient”. In the meanwhile, the gadget is quickly “on the again burner”.
In a September 2023 article, Bowden mentioned “it’s unclear if the following Floor telephone might be prepared in 2024”.
How a lot will the Floor Duo 3 price?
Pricing is normally one of many final product particulars to be revealed, so it’s no shock that the price of the Duo 3 stays a thriller. Nonetheless, we are able to nonetheless use the pricing of the primary two generations as a tough information:
- Floor Duo – From $1,399/£1,349
- Floor Duo 2 – From $1,499/£1,349
The Duo 3 touchdown across the identical value appears the almost definitely, however that might all change if the redesign rumours become true. Home windows Central suggests the Duo 3 might be scrapped in favour of a book-style design just like the Galaxy Z Fold 4, which might push the worth even increased.
Creator Zac Bowden additionally says the corporate is “wanting to broaden its line of Android smartphone choices”, which might embrace a extra reasonably priced foldable or common smartphone. An earlier Home windows Central article from 2022 reported {that a} mid-range model of the Duo 2 was thought-about and even briefly listed on eBay.
What to anticipate from the Floor Duo 3
The most important information up to now comes from Home windows Central‘s Zac Bowden, who says Microsoft has scrapped plans to deliver the Floor Duo 3 to market. He expects it to get replaced with a book-style foldable, just like the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Google Pixel Fold.
Somewhat that the present dual-screen design, this may imply a regular-sized exterior telephone show which opens to disclose a small pill inside. It might technically nonetheless be marketed as a Floor Duo, however a reputation change can be seemingly.
Often we’d take information like this with a pinch of salt, however Bowden has such a powerful observe file for Floor information, it’s fairly doable this can find yourself taking place.
No specs have been revealed at this stage, however the article signifies earlier patents such because the one beneath received’t grow to be the ultimate product:
However might one other patent be extra correct? Patently Apple has discovered one other Microsoft one for a tool with 360-degree folding display:
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
It seems to point out a versatile exterior show which might fold at numerous totally different angles, quite than the extra fastened positions of present foldables. However Zac Bowden (through Home windows Central) says he “can be very stunned” if this finally ends up being the Floor Duo 3. He believes {that a} folding Floor pill is extra seemingly than a telephone.
Any upcoming gadget remains to be anticipated to run Android, and this could hopefully be no less than Android 13 by the point it launches. However Bowden additionally says Microsoft is attempting to additional differentiate its model of Android from the one discovered different telephones.
A customized Microsoft launcher is already pre-installed on each generations of the Floor Duo, however the firm is desires to ship an Apple-style ecosystem expertise between Microsoft telephones and Home windows 11 gadgets. There could even be new common smartphones to assist assist that.
In that very same Home windows Central article, Bowden says Microsoft had already finalised a dual-screen Floor Duo 3 earlier than scrapping it. It might’ve apparently featured upgrades together with taller shows with slimmer bezels and wi-fi charging, making it a big enchancment on the Duo 2.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
It’s necessary to not learn an excessive amount of right into a single report, so the prospect of an upgraded Floor Duo 3 coming to market shouldn’t be dominated out completely. Nevertheless it now appears seemingly Microsoft will shift to this dual-screen design.
We’ll replace this text as soon as extra is revealed about Microsoft’s future foldables.
