Rumor | Microsoft will launch the Surface Duo in Europe without its current US discount

The latest word on more global availability for the Microsoft Surface Duo has been that it will start to launch in markets besides that of the US in the first quarter of 2021 (1Q2021). Now, The Verge purports to confirm this rumor by claiming that the foldable mobile device will make it to Germany, France, the UK and Canada by February 18.

However, consumers located in those markets and who might have heard of discounts for the unique Microsoft sort-of-tablet might be advised not to get that excited at this apparent news. The blog has specified prices of €1,549 (~US$1,877) for when it lands in its new European countries, as well as £1,349 (~$1,868) on its release to PC World or Currys in the UK.

Then again, The Verge does not state that its new Canadian dollar price will also be at this level. To say the prices specified here are close to what Microsoft initally demanded from zero-day Surface Duo adopters would be an understatement. Then again, the Redmond giant climbed back down off that price-point eventually, to the point that it is currently $999, or $400 off its launch cost, through the OEM's own channels.

Furthermore, its 128GB internal storage base model is actually now $450 off on Best Buy's website. Therefore, someone would have to be a particularly sincere fan of an Android experience spread across 8 inches of screen real estate in a mobile form-factor to buy it as soon as it debuts in Europe.

It is worth noting that the Huawei Mate X series, for one, can also deliver this without a hinge splitting the same amount of display down the middle. Therefore, it is a shame that these phablets' upcoming latest generation is not likely to see an international launch, and will probably be even more expensive on launch in any case.