A new report has been released citing multiple sources that suggest an early summer release of the Microsoft Surface Duo This is great news, at least for those who have been waiting to get their hands on a "phone that isn't a phone"

According to the Windows Central report, Microsoft's goal is not to release the Duo during the 2020 holiday season, but to have all the software completed and ready for production in early April The report also states that the Surface Duo will ship in "limited quantities" this summer

The magazine cites internal Microsoft sources and claims that the launch will target "developers and enthusiasts"

With the hardware and underlying software ready, "Microsoft is now focused on finalizing top-level OS customizations and in-box app experiences specifically for Surface Duo," the report claims

Perhaps this is why we've seen leaks about cool new tricks Redmond's company is putting together for the device (such as the ability to peek at notifications by opening the dual-screen clamshell) The company also recently released a beta version of a new Android launcher for the Surface Duo

We also know that the Surface Duo is out of the lab and being actively tested in the real world, which is indicative of beta testing and points to the fact that it must indeed be nearing completion

Last January, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was seen carrying the device in his pocket and casually showing it to people in public And earlier this month, we saw someone using the device in a Vancouver subway car

In this video, however, the device appears to be malfunctioning and apparently locking up But this would be typical of a beta stage device After all, squashing bugs is the whole point of the testing process

According to Windows Central, the Surface Duo will be powered by a Snapdragon 855 processor with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage

Another suspicion is that the Surface Duo will not support 5G This is another downside for a device that could greatly benefit from having the fastest possible access to the Internet at all times

It remains to be seen how these two drawbacks will affect the experience, and thus the public perception, of this device Hopefully, the form factor and eventual UX will be the factors that render these specs meaningless

According to Windows Central, if all goes well, Microsoft plans to unveil the phone at its spring event alongside the Surface Go 2 and Surface Book 3 Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Fold 2 is also said to be a possible summer release, making for an interesting folding phone showdown later this year