To begin with, you can finally use wireless internet on the device. Both Wi-Fi (2.4Ghz and 5Ghz) and cellular data (2G/3G/4G) are now functional. Text messages over cellular networks are also functional. But you don’t have access to RCS (Relay Chat Services). According to the changelog shared by Monce, RCS support has been worked out and is coming soon. The upcoming update will also bring calling support, including VoLTE (voice over LTE). Meanwhile, you can now activate eSIM on the Surface Duo. GPS is functional too. There remain numerous limitations, though. Most notably, cameras still don’t work on the Windows-powered Surface Duo. Monce says they have made changes regarding cameras but haven’t pushed them out yet. The next release should get the cameras working. Additionally, the left panel of this dual-screen phone doesn’t support automatic orientation. There are also issues with graphical rendering, digitizers, USB dongles, external displays, and USB Type-C billboard devices. Nonetheless, the latest update addresses issues with several key services, including the internet and messaging, that severely limit a mobile device’s usage. This is a massive improvement from the initial release when only the buttons, touchscreen, vibration motor, Bluetooth, and USB port worked. Pretty much everything else was non-functional. Perhaps the device booted Windows 11 but you couldn’t use it.
Windows 11 on Surface Duo is not for everyone
As said earlier, this is a DIY project that simply isn’t for everyone. It is only for tech-savvy people who have a spare Surface Duo lying around. The project isn’t recommended to you if the dual-screen Microsoft smartphone is your daily driver. Even if you know what it takes to replace the underlying operating system of a phone, porting the Surface Duo to Windows 11 isn’t a walk in the park. It requires several tools and needs you to carefully follow this guide. If only Microsoft could make a Windows-powered device as compact as the Surface Duo. Maybe the company could take inspiration from this project. We shall see.
