Just six weeks after launch, Surface Duo price cuts of US$200 are riling early adopters

There was a lot of anticipation around the launch of the Microsoft Surface Duo, but reviews of the dual-screen device have been less than stellar. Criticisms have mostly focused on the buggy software (which can ultimately be fixed with updates), but nothing can be done about the middling battery life or the sub-par camera. Unsurprisingly, then, retailers have already started offering deep price cuts of up to US$200 even though it only hit the market around six weeks ago.

At launch, the 128 GB model retailed for US$1,399 while the 256 GB model retailed for US$1,599. However, several US retailers (the only market where it is sold) are already offering the 128 GB model for US$1,199 and the 256 GB model for US$1,399. Best Buy is even slicing a further US$100 off the price if customers sign up to a carrier plan. Naturally, early adopters of the Surface Duo are far from thrilled.

Microsoft, however, isn’t offering to refund customers the difference. Instead it has been pointing customers to the 60-day return policy and suggesting that they return their device and re-purchase it from a retailer offering the discount. While that is at least a modicum of a solution, it is far from convenient and could end up resulting in customers simply returning their device and opting for something different altogether. It will also cost Microsoft money in refurbishments costs for devices that no-one might end up wanting to buy.