Surface Duo and Surface Neo may not support 5G when initially launched

By Sean Endicott
published

Surface Duo unfolded on display
Surface Duo unfolded on display (Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • The Surface Neo and Surface Duo may not have 5G support when initially launched.
  • Microsoft is working on bringing 5G support to the devices in the future.
  • Panos Panay also states that the first generation of the devices will have good cameras.

Panos Panay spoke about the upcoming Surface Neo and Surface Duo at an event in Berlin yesterday (via WinFuture). At the event, Panay spoke on bringing 5G to the upcoming Surface Neo and Surface Duo and mentioned that the first generation of the Surface Duo will have a good camera.

Based on the report from WinFuture, the first-gen of Surface Duo and Surface Neo will likely support LTE advanced, but 5G support likely won't come until future devices. Panay explained at a panel discussion that there is an ambitious roadmap to introduce 5G devices. He would not comment on any specifics, including on if the first generation of the Surface Neo and Surface Duo will support 5G.

There's a chance that the Surface Neo and Surface Duo could initially ship while supporting 4G LTE, and then a version that supports 5G could be released later. Microsoft has released versions of Surface devices in the past without 4G LTE support and then later released versions with support for 4G LTE, so it wouldn't be an unprecedented move. That is, however, only speculation at this point.

What do you think - do the Surface Neo and Duo need 5G to be successful?

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
4 Comments
  • At this time 5G coverage is too spotty to be a deal breaker for a majority of those interested in this device. In my opinion I don't know how many customers without Surface experience would be interested in the Duo. Personally if this area was littered with 5G by then it wouldn't influence my decision. More than likely this will be my next phone if there is a variant that will run on Verizon's network.
  • Personally, with Wi-Fi everywhere I go, it wouldn't factor into my decision.
  • Not at all worried about a possible lack of 5G as it won't affect me at all. I'm curious about the camera tech they plan to include though.
  • WiFi 6 would seem to be the most important radio at this point in time. 5G is still a little ways off for a wide enough deployment to make it a deal breaker. But with a device obviously aimed for business, WiFi 6 would seem more important.