Dedicated dual-screen phones aren’t sold anymore. Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2, the last major one, stopped getting updates on October 21, 2024, and LG left the phone business in 2021. Foldable phones took their place. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 starts at $1,899.99 and the Fold8 Ultra at $2,099.99, both on sale since August 7, 2026. Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold launched at $1,899, and Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold costs $2,899. If you’re buying today, look at foldables, and compare how many years of updates each one gets, how well it splits the screen between apps, and the price.
For the people below, two screens really are better than one.
The first dual-screen phone marketed to American buyers is often said to be the Siam 7X from CRBT. It went on sale on November 27, 2015, with only about 10,000 units built for launch. It was not an official Android or Google product. The Siam 7X paired a 5.0-inch 720p front screen with a 4.7-inch E Ink screen on the back, ran Android 5.1 and cost about $549. Liliputing reported that it was essentially a rebranded Oukitel U6. Earlier phones already had two screens, such as Kyocera’s Echo on Sprint in 2011, so “first” is a stretch.
Since then the idea has moved on a lot. LG sold clip-on Dual Screen cases for the V50 and V60 ThinQ. Microsoft launched the Surface Duo in 2020 and the Surface Duo 2 in October 2021. Both ended up in the history books: the original Duo lost support in September 2023, and the Duo 2 got its last security patch in October 2024. It only ever got one major Android upgrade.
Today, two screens usually means a foldable phone: a cover screen on the outside and a large folding screen inside that can run several apps side by side. A few types of users get the most out of that. If you’re one of them, it may be worth trading your current phone for one with more screen space. Here’s why.
Gamers
Mobile gaming is a multi-billion-dollar business, and its audience keeps growing worldwide. Players are always looking for ways to get more out of their games and play better.
The classic dual-screen layout suits mobile gaming well. One screen works as a controller and the other shows the game. That gives you better accuracy and control, closer to a console than a normal touchscreen phone. LG’s V50 and V60 Dual Screen accessories could turn the second panel into an on-screen gamepad, and the Surface Duo could run Xbox touch controls on its second screen.
The setup also keeps your hands on the bottom screen or gamepad, so they never block the action above.
On a modern foldable, the same idea works by half-folding the phone like a small laptop. Some games and apps move the controls to the bottom half and keep the picture on top. Support depends on the app, so check that your favorite titles handle the folded mode before you buy.
Sports Fanatics
Sports fans get a similar benefit. Many fans watch the big game while using other apps at the same time, and a phone with two screens or a large folding one makes that easy.
Online sportsbooks have spread across many U.S. states since the Supreme Court struck down the federal sports betting ban in 2018. Many advertise sign-up offers like New Jersey free bets, and plenty of fans want to follow live odds without the game being interrupted. Sports betting is only legal in some states, and New Jersey requires bettors to be 21 or older, so check your local rules first.
On a normal phone, juggling all this gets hectic. You don’t want to miss a second of the action, but you may also want to check stats or the line. With a dual-screen phone or a foldable in split-screen mode, you can stream the game on one side and keep scores, stats or expert predictions open on the other.
Writers
Millions of people write for work or as a hobby. A phone with two screens cuts out the constant switching between apps while you type.
Say you write on your phone and need a dictionary or thesaurus. On a single screen you have to leave your notes or document to look up a word. With two screens you can keep writing on one side and do your research on the other. That helps writers and editors alike.
Foldables add another advantage here. The inner screen is close to tablet size, so a Bluetooth keyboard and a split-screen layout make it workable for longer drafts on the go.
Two screens help with plenty of everyday tasks: following a live game, practicing your aim in a first-person shooter (FPS), or running an Instagram account.
If that sounds useful, have a look at the top selections currently on the market to start your search. Today that means foldables such as the Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Pixel 11 Pro Fold and Galaxy Z TriFold. Before that, here is one more type of user who benefits most from a phone with two screens.
Working professionals who use two monitors at the office will appreciate a phone that lets them work across two screens the same way while they’re out.
Social Media Influencers
Thousands of people now earn a living on social media. Those with the biggest followings are often approached by brands to sponsor products or promote campaigns.
These influencers practically live on their phones, because their job can’t get done without them. Apps like Instagram are their top priority, since keeping their pages full of fresh content is often what brings in more work.
That makes a dual-screen or foldable phone a strong fit for anyone who uses their phone all day to promote a brand. With two screens, you can edit photos for Instagram on one side and message a client on the other. You can also run several apps at once and keep an eye on all your accounts throughout the day.
FAQ
Can you still buy a new dual-screen phone?
Not from a major brand. LG stopped making phones in 2021, and Microsoft ended support for the Surface Duo 2 in October 2024 without releasing a successor. Foldable phones such as the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold now fill that role with one large folding screen plus a cover screen.
Is a used Surface Duo 2 worth buying in 2026?
For most people, no. It stopped getting security updates in October 2024 and stayed on Android 12L, so banking apps and new features will keep losing support. It’s best kept as a collector’s item or a second device that isn’t used for anything sensitive.
How is a foldable different from a dual-screen phone?
A dual-screen phone like the Surface Duo had two separate panels joined by a hinge, with a gap in the middle. A foldable uses one flexible screen that folds in half, so apps can stretch across the whole surface without a seam. Most foldables also have a full cover screen, so you can use them like a normal phone when closed.
How much does a foldable cost in the US right now?
At launch, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 started at $1,899.99 and the Fold8 Ultra at $2,099.99. Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold started at $1,899 for 256GB. Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold is the most expensive at $2,899 for 512GB. Retailers have run discounts since launch, so compare current prices before you buy.
Are foldable phones good for gaming?
They’re good for games that support split or folded layouts, and the large inner screen helps with strategy and streaming games. Fast shooters still feel best with a physical controller. The bigger screen means more for you to look at, not better controls.
What was the Siam 7X?
The Siam 7X was a dual-screen Android phone from CRBT that went on sale in November 2015 for about $549. It had a 5.0-inch color screen on the front and a 4.7-inch E Ink screen on the back to save battery. It was made in small numbers and is now only a footnote in phone history.
Sources
- Siam 7X (Wikipedia)
- Siam 7X is a dual screen E Ink phone, twice the price of the Oukitel U6 (Liliputing)
- Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 gets one last update before its send-off (PCWorld)
- Microsoft cuts ties with the Surface Duo (Windows Central)
- LG has officially quit making phones (TechRadar)
- Samsung Officially Launches Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Fold8, Flip8 (Samsung Newsroom US)
- This is the $1,900 Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (Engadget)
- Galaxy Z TriFold lands in the US for $2,899 (9to5Google)
About this article
- Fact-checked before publication.
- Published · Updated
