An unreleased prototype of Microsoft’s Surface Duo foldable phone running Windows has appeared online — but buying it won’t be easy.
The rare device is currently listed on a Chinese resale platform called Goofish for nearly $14,000 (about ¥98,999). That price makes it more of a collector’s item than a product for everyday use.
This version of the Surface Duo is not the Android-based model that Microsoft released to the public. Instead, it runs a special version of the Windows Phone interface. It was part of Microsoft’s cancelled project called Andromeda OS, which aimed to bring a full Windows-like experience to pocket-sized devices.
Although Microsoft released two Android-based Surface Duo models in 2020 and 2021, this Windows prototype never made it to market. The company eventually abandoned its own mobile operating system and shifted fully to Android. In 2023, Microsoft officially ended the Surface Duo line.
The prototype now listed for sale has several features not seen in the final product:
- A metal frame and thick bezels
- A 360-degree hinge
- A monochrome camera for 3D scanning
- A mechanism to wirelessly charge a stylus
Despite its unique design, experts say the high price and unverified seller make it a risky purchase for most people.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella later admitted in 2023 that ending the Surface Duo project was a difficult decision. The company had hoped to create a new type of device between a smartphone and a PC — but the market didn’t respond as expected.
For now, the rare Windows-based Surface Duo remains a piece of tech history — and a reminder of what could have been for Microsoft’s mobile ambitions.
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