A new Android device from Microsoft shows up on radar

Jun 9, 2021 19:11 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft took the world by surprise when it announced an Android device, but now that the company already confirmed it’s fully committed to hardware running Google’s operating system, it makes sense to expect a new model to launch as soon as this year.

And according to a recent report, the highly-anticipated Microsoft Surface Duo 2 is indeed coming this year, with the Redmond-based software giant planning to take the wraps off this new-generation model in September or October.

While Microsoft launching the Surface Duo 2 in September could be an attempt to steal Apple’s thunder since this is the month when the Cupertino-based firm unveils new iPhones, there’s a bigger chance to see the new Android device going live in October.

But right now, Microsoft has remained completely tight-lipped on everything, especially as plans could change overnight if something goes wrong.

Coming in October

The Surface Duo 2 could address all the shortcomings of the first model, including the older-generation hardware. As a result, expect the Surface Duo 2 to come with the latest high-end Snapdragon processor, and the cited source indicates the device could run Android 11 out of the box.

This could be disappointing for those who wanted the latest-generation Android experience, but it looks like Microsoft just wants to make sure everything works just as expected from a software perspective.

Google is projected to unveil Android 12 in the summer, so in October when Microsoft could announce the Surface Duo 2, launching it with Android 11 might make little sense for now. But it’s pretty clear Microsoft just wants the best stability for its device, with Android 12 to then be offered as an update when everything is fully tested.

The Surface Duo will continue to be a dual-screen device, and the internal codename is Zeta.