The Microsoft Surface Duo is a (don’t call it phone) portable, pocketable (if you have big-ish pockets) device. It’s somewhere between a phone, a tablet and a palm-top computer and I want one desperately to try out. I’ve been watching this device closely since back when it was just a code-name and Mary Jo Foley was discussing it years ago on Windows Weekly. I’ve become even more interested in it after seeing the inherent problems with a foldable display technology that other manufacturers are using. Today though, we’re talking about the first 3rd party case that I’ve seen for the device. Leaks have come out on twitter for an Otterbox Folio case for the Surface Duo:
Otterbox Surface Duo Folio https://t.co/yDsF4OMLNf pic.twitter.com/UtZkd5XdrR
— Aggiornamenti Lumia (@ALumia_Italia) September 9, 2020
As you can see this looks more like a tablet folio than a case. I think this is aimed at the people who will be using this more like a tablet than like a phone. Personally I don’t see the value this folio adds, with how I’d want to use the Duo. From the pictures included above I can’t imagine that flipping the Duo fully around into it’s phone “posture” will be quick or comfortable once there. I know many people (including myself) will probably pair this device with a set of earbuds and use that for calls, but it’s nice to have the option of holding it to your ear. Also, I would imagine the extra bulk this will add to the duo will make it un-pocketable by all but the very largest of pockets, meaning this becomes a “carry it” or “throw it in your bag” device which removes so much of the purpose of the Duo.
Having said all that, it does look like a cool idea from a design perspective. I looks to add some protection to the device, and adds a pen holder. This looks to turn it into that “Moleskin” notebook from days gone by. I just don’t know that for a primary use device, where you’re replacing your current phone, that this case design makes sense. Maybe I’m wrong though, let me know below. Cheers!
Edit: Wait… looking more closely at the pictures you don’t see an attachment point for the case, but having watched MKBHD’s YouTube unboxing there are some pretty powerful magnets in the back of the Surface Duo. I would be willing to bet that this is going to attach magnetically, which completely removes the concern of quick access to a comfortable calling “posture”. It still won’t fit into a pocket with the added bulk, but this now makes a bit more sense than before. I’ll be interested in seeing more about this as it’s released. Cheers!
