March firmware update for Surface Duo is now available

After having some trouble with consistency in releasing monthly patches and updates for Surface Duo, Microsoft is finally back on track. This time, Surface Duo owners got a fresh update without major delays. The March firmware is now available for unlocked Surface Duo with a build number 2021.207.70. If you own Surface Duo from AT&T, the update will arrive on your device in a couple of weeks. That is because AT&T needs to check and validate the new firmware before giving the green light.

To install the update, you need 82.39 MB of free space, which is just a bit more than the previous firmware update (which was just 66 MB). Unfortunately, there is no official changelog just yet, so we need to wait and see what the update brings. We can safely assume you will get monthly Android security patches and several bugfixes. Some users already report that the March firmware update for Surface Duo has finally fixed annoying UI glitches and stutters. With the latest patches installed, the UI feels much smoother and pleasing to use.

The changelog looks as follows.

What's new in the 2021.207.70 firmware update for Surface Duo

Software version

Update info

2021.207.70 (North America) 2021.207.72 (Europe)

This update: Addresses scenarios outlined in the Android Security Bulletin - March 2020. Improves device stability. Improves device performance. Improves Surface Duo UI stability. Improves incoming ring experience with the communication apps. Fixes the experience when dismissing apps in single screen mode which had a delay before showing the home screen. Taking screenshots in single screen mode captures the active screen instead of both. Increases time that the “Double-tap to switch screens” is available to change screens. Fixes the ability to unlock the device using the fingerprint reader when an app is running above the lock screen. Apps that only support portrait orientation can now rotate clockwise when spanning across both screens.

Unfortunately, there is still no official word from Microsoft about more significant updates, such as Android 11. According to recent reports, the company is about to release the first major update this Summer. Also, Microsoft is actively developing the second-gen Surface Duo, but there is no confirmation whatsoever.

Surface Duo - the first Android-based smartphone from Microsoft – recently went through many significant changes. First, Microsoft cut the price tag by $400, reducing the starting price from $1 399 to $999. Second, the smartphone went on sale in Europe and Canada. You can now buy Surface Duo in France, UK, Germany, Canada, and the US. Unfortunately, the price tag in these countries is pretty wild and simply doubles the US price.