This is Microsoft’s canceled Windows-based Surface Duo — the dual-screen Windows Phone from 2018 that we never got

by

Back in 2017, it’s been unveiled that the Surface Duo initially emerged from a project for Windows Phone devices. Recently, we’ve gotten our closest glimpse yet at the abandoned hardware and software that Microsoft had been developing due to newly surfaced images.

Known as Project Andromeda, this innovative dual-screen gadget had been anticipated to mark the beginning of a fresh chapter for Windows phones. It operated on an exclusive OS variant, specifically designed from scratch for this unique design, but regrettably, the project was canceled in 2018 due to various complications and setbacks.

Microsoft eventually made adjustments to the hardware and repurposed it into the Android-based device known as the Surface Duo, but the initial concept and aspirations for Andromeda were significantly distinct.

Andromeda is a pocket-sized digital notebook, crafted with the intention of serving as an alternative to traditional smartphones. What sets it apart from the crowd is its emphasis on ink and pen usage, making it a unique option within the smartphone industry.

Previously, we’ve never had the opportunity to witness Andromeda operating on the specific version of Windows it was intended for. We’ve had glimpses of its hardware and even the OS it was supposed to support, but not simultaneously. However, this situation has now been reversed due to these fresh images.

The pictures were found in listings on the Chinese e-commerce platform GooFish, showcasing a multitude of Andromeda prototype hardware dating back to 2017 and 2018. These devices are in various conditions, ranging from damaged to functional, and some still operate using the unique version of Windows that Microsoft abandoned.

The provided images offer us a detailed glimpse into the Andromeda’s hardware, revealing several distinctions when compared to the originally released Surface Duo. Notably, Andromeda boasts a rear camera setup, integrated wireless charging for the Surface Slim Pen, and a robust metal frame, lending it a more luxurious overall feel.

The first version of Surface Duo lacked several features. It didn’t have a back camera system until the release of Surface Duo 2. Wireless charging for the pen was introduced only through a detachable cover accessory, and it never received the high-end metal casing that its predecessor, Andromeda, had.

According to my information, Microsoft aimed to make the Surface Duo lightweight, which led them to swap the metal frame for plastic. However, this change made the device less durable, and due to its slim design, the USB-C port started to crack after prolonged use.

Additionally, I recognize that certain Andromeda devices featured an additional monochrome camera for scanning three-dimensional objects. This was during a period when Microsoft was particularly focused on 3D technology, as evidenced by their development of the HoloLens and the release of the Windows 10 Creators Update.

It’s worth noting that the listings on GooFish showcase an even older version of Andromeda, as depicted in the gallery, which differs from the Surface Duo in shape. These earlier models are slightly slimmer and taller, featuring a home button below the screens and a textured fabric exterior, lending it a more notebook-like appearance.

Microsoft was equally captivated by the Windows variant they were crafting for this specific hardware. This particular version was constructed upon their then-novel Windows Core OS, and showcased a versatile user interface tailored specifically for the dual-screen layout, which they designed expressly for it.

The “home screen” functioned as a permanent digital notebook, always prepared for the user to scribble down thoughts or set reminders, sticky notes, and other tasks. Applications were positioned above this notebook, easily accessible via the Start menu that could be opened by swiping from the left on the display’s left side.

In simpler terms, Cortana served as your personal digital helper and notifications hub, easily accessible by swiping from the right edge on the screen. Additionally, the lock screen functioned as a digital drawing board, allowing you to write or sketch using the Surface Pen.

The development of the Andromeda Operating System wasn’t completed, leaving us uncertain about what the finished version might have looked like. Despite some unrefined aspects even during the late stages of the project, we now have a clear understanding of the concept and intended operating system behind Andromeda.

Back in 2017, I had the privilege of unveiling the Andromeda project, having hinted at its codename on Twitter a year earlier in 2016. This Surface device was undoubtedly the most captivating one I’ve ever tracked throughout its development, and its tale remains incomplete to this day.

Few people understand that the demise of this particular device marked the end of Windows Phone. Although Microsoft started phasing out the Windows 10 Mobile platform in 2017, they had planned to replace it with Andromeda and Windows Core OS in 2018; however, let’s save that narrative for another discussion.

Read More

2025-08-03 02:09