Price of Microsoft's Surface Duo plummets to better represent middling hardware ... but only if you're in the US
- Reference: 1624457525
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/06/23/surface_duo_discount/
- Source link:
On the eve of the company's big Windows conference, the foldable [1]Android device can be [2]had for $649 for the 128GB version or $699 for 256GB. If we were in the market for such a thing, we'd have to recommend handing over an extra $50 for the full-fat Duo.
The discount, which more than halves the previous prices of $1,399.99 and $1,499.99 respectively, comes less than a year after the folding phone first launched and, enthusiasts will hope, represents a clearing of inventory ahead of the launch of a second generation.
[3]
Microsoft's Surface Duo
Certainly, those prices are a little more in line with hardware that was, at best, middling for 2020. The [4]Snapdragon 855 powering the dual-screen gizmo is looking even more long in the tooth nowadays. We'll skim over the below-par camera because, let's face it, taking award-winning photos is not what the Duo is all about.
The kit was instead pitched squarely at businesses with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and the camera is more than adequate for the odd Teams call or snapping whiteboards and receipts. The dual-screen approach is handy for apps that support it and users with workflows that benefit from it.
[5]Microsoft to unveil 'what's next for Windows' ... Rounded corners and what else?
[6]Microsoft celebrates Ignite by ramming 21H1 down the throats of Windows Insiders
[7]Microsoft's underwhelming, underpowered dual-screen Surface Duo phone arrives in the UK this month for £1,349
[8]Surface Laptop Go: Premium feel for a mid-range price, but Microsoft's Apple-like range once meant more than this
Microsoft has continued updating the Duo software since launch, although Android 11 remains notably absent, despite widespread availability of the hardware. And that availability might have caused a few ground teeth from those hoping to buy: UK customers, for example, are exempt from Microsoft's price cutting.
While the US version of Microsoft's store will sell you a Duo for a more reasonable price, British punters buying direct from the company's online shop must pay £1,149 for the 128GB version and £1,199 for the 256GB unit. Sure, that's up to £250 off the original price, but taxation alone can't explain all the difference and we're pretty sure a humble UK pound is worth a bit more than that, even in soar-away Brexit Britain.
[9]
We asked Microsoft for an explanation. The company, a recent member of the two-trillion-dollar club, has yet to respond. ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/14/surface_duo_not_outlandish_not_that_expensive/
[2] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/microsoft-surface-duo/8p98gbqkdzl5
[3] https://regmedia.co.uk/2019/10/02/handout_surface_duo.jpg
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/16/surface_dual_international_release/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2021/06/03/microsoft_windows_next_generation/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/03/03/21h1_beta_channel/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/02/11/uk_surface_duo/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2020/12/30/reflecting_on_microsofts_surface/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YNNam0YBXZHqmVbBaGzk0QAAABU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[10] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Honestly, it should have launched at this price. Microsoft has let the opportunity to launch themselves into the phone space with this device fall by the wayside. Anyone who was interested in one has already discounted it as an option. They may manage to move the rest of the inventory, but they've lost the chance of having a big hit.
Microsoft should consider building a "flagship-killer" type phone. One with most of the specs of the best for a really killer price (break-even instead of profitable) to break into the market.
Fool me once
I really used to like Winphone, and put up with them dropping support for a few times, but when they dropped it last I'm afraid I wouldn't touch anything phone related from MS with a bargepole now - chances are they'll abandon it shortly after you buy one.
Re: Fool me once
Same here. The last proper windows phone was pretty good. App support was middling at best, though that was not that big a problem for me. It was pretty snappy also on sub par hardware, and pretty simple to use.
I miss it.
And that comes from a hardcore long term Linux user...
Re: Fool me once
Me neither, but how many people actually bought Windows Phones? I mean, I did, you did and 3 other people. I even wrote some apps for Windows Phone... that were very hard to sell.
Re: Fool me once
Higher-higher at the company really liked WinPhones. We were standardized on them… and then new versions of the OS were incompatible with the old, and we had to rewrite all our custom software. And then MS did it again. And again. And higher-higher had us rewrite everything, this time to work with Android and iOS, as MS was clearly not serious. We are now a majority iOS company, most of the Android users have moved to iOS and very few of the iOS users have gone the other way. The last of the WinPhones was retired years ago. And it’s all MS’s fault, they had us locked in, and threw it away.
Snot fair
I suspect M$’s response will be something along the lines of: you’re British right? so get used to it. When has tech priced in dollars ever translated to a fair, even comparable, UK price. It must be my age, or foolish questions; take your pick.
MS Band Again
We saw it with band. First release misconceived. Second release nearly there. Third release looks good on paper, but never appears.
Similar with phones, just took them longer to get it right before abandoning.