A recently surfaced patent suggests that Microsoft could come back in the smartphone arena, as there’s a chance the company plans on a foldable phone. It is a device that folds in both directions, according to the patent filed in February and published by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on October 1. Earlier, the tech giant had retreated from the mobile scene, but this time, the concept may lead the giant back into a bold effort.
The design, resembling a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, is a notebook-like structure that folds horizontally. The patent description, however, is interesting; the exact dimensions of the cover display are unclear. The key innovation here is the seamless folding mechanism, which promises to sew up even the unsightly creases that most foldable phones still struggle with. A big benefit to Microsoft would be if it moved ahead with the concept, as this approach might be unique to them.
What makes Microsoft foldable phone stand out
One of Microsoft’s designs, which folds two ways, is a potential game changer for its first foray into the foldable phone market. This unrivaled flexibility puts it a step above gadgets such as the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold or OnePlus Open—it has unique use cases and reports MSPoweruser. For example, the phone might become a mini display for movies or videos on the go.
The cover glass and backplate feature slots that allow the display to bend smoothly while not creasing. This patent doesn’t dive into the specs or the further details. Still, the ability to turn into several different directions makes the fold into a diamond could be a standout, making it in a crowded foldable market. Whether or not this concept surpasses the patent stage, Microsoft is experimenting with new ways to put its mark on mobile devices.
The productivity potential of Microsoft’s foldable vision
While the patent provides no technical details, it’s undeniable: If Microsoft pushes it as such, the patent is for a space-saving productivity powerhouse. Subsequently, the company hasn’t shied away from those foldable offerings: We remember the Surface Duo, a device meant to combine Android with the company’s software ecosystem but didn’t fly as much as the company was perhaps hoping for. But there’s a chance that a new foldable phone that leans a lot more on Microsoft’s software could shake things up.
What if our foldable phone ran Android or Windows? Users could have the flexibility of Android on the phone side but switch to Windows for things like Word (kind of) or Xbox gaming. Qualcomm’s ARM-based chipboards in the Surface Laptop 7 show that this dual-boot setup might give you a combination of productivity and entertainment that is almost impossible to get on any other device.
It’s all speculation, but Microsoft’s patent shows that the company is considering a new way with foldable tech. Either way, this is a freak of the foldable phone market, an idea of what might be coming next.
Featured image credit: Furkan Demirkaya/Ideogram
