The Surface Duo, Microsoft’s dual-screen device, has seen a lack of meaningful updates from the company in recent months. Microsoft recently announced that it would cease updates for the original Surface Duo, while the Surface Duo 2 will continue to receive support until 2024.
This development signals a shift from Microsoft’s initial belief that dual-screen devices were the future, with the original Surface Duo now seemingly in a state of limbo. It’s increasingly unlikely that the device will see significant changes, and it is expected to remain on Android 12L, with no indication of plans to upgrade to Android 13 or 14 in the near future.
Fortunately, there is an alternative option for both first and second-generation Surface Duo owners. Thai Nguyen, a former Microsoft developer, began experimenting with bringing a stock Android 14 ROM to the Surface Duo in May. The project has evolved, and the Android 14 ROM is now available for download.
The Android 14 ROM is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and includes several features:
- AOSP base with Google apps
- Hinge Gap disable for Duo 2
- Settings app icons from the stock Surface Duo ROM
- OTA updates enabled for future builds
Users are advised to use the Pixel Launcher for this build. However, it’s essential to be aware that the experience may not be entirely smooth, as the developer has cautioned that users should “expect a lot of bugs.” If you’re interested, you can visit GitHub to download the Android 14 ROM for your Surface Duo.
While the Surface Duo 2 initially launched with Android 11 and received Android 12L as its only major OS update, it lags behind as Android 13 and Android 14 are on the horizon.
In contrast, Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices have raised the bar in terms of longevity, promising up to seven years of support with new features and security updates. This approach highlights the importance of choosing a device that will remain reliable and receive ongoing support in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
Do you believe Microsoft’s Surface Duo can compete with devices like Google’s Pixel lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments.