Microsoft’s Surface line of devices include 12.3 inch tablets, 13.5 inch laptops, 15 inch convertibles, 28 inch all-in-one desktops, and even wall computers with screen sizes up to 84 inches.

But one thing Microsoft hasn’t offered to date? A pocket-sized Surface.

Rumor’s have been circulating for years that Microsoft was working on a Surface Phone and/or a dual-screen pocketable Surface. Now The Verge reports that an internal Microsoft document confirms the existence of the device. As previously reported, it’s currently going by the codename “Andromeda” and it’s said to resemble a set of concept images created by David Bryer lat year:

Details are still pretty scarce, but according to The Verge, the Andromeda device will have a single flexible display that covers a hinge, allowing you to use the device with a phone-sized display or unfold it to reveal a more tablet-sized screen.

The device will also likely support some sort of digital pen input, allowing you to take handwritten notes, draw pictures, and use a pen to navigate the operating system.

Microsoft is said to be testing ARM-based processors, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the company has chosen the final hardware. It’s possible Andromeda could ship with a Qualcomm processor, but it could also ship with an Intel processor — Windows on ARM still seems like a bit of a work in progress at this point, and while there would certainly be advantages to using an ARM processor (including low power consumption, long standby battery life, and integrated 4G LTE support), some Windows applications still work better on devices with x86 chips from Intel or AMD.

There have also been some indications that while Andromeda would ship with Windows 10 rather than Windows 10 Mobile, that it might include the feature necessary to use the device as a phone.

While Andromeda is said to have been under development for about two years, there’s also no guarantee that it will ship. Microsoft has been known to pull the plug on hardware projects in the past.

Microsoft is also hardly the only company working on dual-screen/flexible display gadgets. Samsung, LG, and Huawei are expected to launch smartphones with folding displays in the next year or so. And Intel recently unveiled a reference design for dual display tablets. Lenovo and Asus have both announced plans to launch hardware inspired by Intel’s design.

Oh, and while Microsoft still hasn’t officially confirmed the existence of its Andromeda project, the company’s Panos Panay did put out a tweet today that a lot of people are interpreting as a tease of an upcoming dual-screen/hinge device:

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10 replies on “Report: Microsoft is really working on pocket-sized, dual screen Surface device”

  1. I’m definitely interested in a comfortably pocketable full Windows device with LTE. I hope MS pulls this off well.

  2. ONLY if they adopt the S-Pen as the stylus – please hear me out – I know that is totally counter-intuitive to their Surface Pen mantra, but it is the only logical writing device for this class of system. A Surface Pen is a non-starter for a moleskin replacement device.

    1. Na, they should build a Surface Pencil, smaller and thinner like a Wacom bamboo. So the Surface Pen, Surface Pencil, Wacom support, plus support for the new USI universal stylus initiative.

  3. > advantages to using an ARM processor (including low power consumption, long standby battery life, and integrated 4G LTE support)

    Speculation: Re-entering the mobile space may be the very reason Microsoft is doing Windows on ARM. It’s the long-game instead of jumping into a new category throwing money around like they usually do…

    Instead of starting with handhelds, they start with (tried and true) laptops. Build mindshare, work out kinks, strengthen their app store… Finally, segue into handhelds again with a mobile-friendly chip. It’s a route I had hoped Firefox OS had taken.

    Although I’m far from a Microsoft supporter, I’ll admit that they’ve done hardware design very well. 3:2 aspect ratios, ports, 2-in-1s, Surface Studio (which is an (expensive) beauty).

    Android vs Windows ARM? This could be interesting in a few years.

    1. I am not very concerned with standby battery life unless it replaces a phone.

  4. I just love this design. Now owning my 4th Surface device; OG Surface Pro, Surface Pro 3, Surface Book and now the Surface Book 2 15″, I’m really a big fan of their design. Since I’ve had nothing but trouble with my past few Samsung Phones, I’ve been eyeing a replacement for my Galaxy S8 Plus and am in no rush.

  5. Would be nice to see this come to fruition, especially with an Intel processor. It’d be cool to be able to play a lot of games I have and this device would be a great upgrade for my GPD Win. Since WoA can’t run any 64 but x86 applications, that eliminates a large portion of the windows software and games library for me which is too much of a limitation at this point for me.

    1. I agree that it would be nice to see this “Andromeda/Courier/SurfaceMicro” come with an Intel chipset. Preferably one of the Core M chips. M3 is what my brain is saying for battery, but M7 if they can make the thermals work. It would be neat to see this device come in both Intel and ARM chipsets, with different SKU for configuration. It’s a PC not a phone.

      Been waiting for this to come to fruition like everybody else. I’d put off upgrading my Skylake Desktop PC or getting a better Tablet for couching (was thinking of Surface Pro, or the upcoming Surface 10 inch with LTE) but I’m saving my dough for this one.

  6. A full Windows x86 folding tablet with LTE would be right around the market value of the iPhone X. Even if it did only last 4 hours off the charger in a non-standby mode… still worth the money. Just Microsoft… please don’t botch up the charging cable.

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