Microsoft’s newest patent utility means that the corporate may very well be creating a know-how for a foldable smartphone that can be fairly completely different from its Surface Duo lineup. The firm might attempt its hand at a ‘true foldable’ design the place a single foldable panel is used as a substitute of two separate shows linked by a hinge. The patent mentions a backbone cowl plate for the central hinge, which seems much like Samsung’s flex hinge used within the Galaxy Z Fold 5.
The patent utility was revealed on the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 29 and was titled “Foldable Computing Device Spine Cover Plate”. Although the publishing date is latest, the doc reveals that the applying was filed on December 14, 2022. Since the patent is in regards to the hinge mechanism, not a lot is detailed about different facets of the doable foldable smartphone.
It particulars a backbone cowl plate that can be positioned on a vertical hinge axis and can help the primary and second display-supporting frames. Further, the patent mentions a “flexible display substrate”. These descriptions together with quite a few figures displaying a single foldable show trace that this design is probably going for a foldable smartphone. The utility additionally delves into how the hinge mechanism will work. It defined that the central plate could have movable hinges that connect to the body. The hinges may also include a number of springs in opposing instructions which can each maintain the show frames in place and permit for clean opening and shutting of the system.
While different facets should not talked about, it appears nearer to the foldable smartphone from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus than its Surface Duo 2 that launched in 2022. This might imply that Microsoft may be planning to exchange the Surface Duo type issue. This new patent utility additionally corroborates a Windows Central report from final 12 months, that talked about that the tech big had scrapped its plans to launch a Surface Duo 3.
Still, many questions stay in regards to the potential foldable smartphone by Microsoft. It can be fascinating to see whether or not it would have a secondary show on the entrance or will proceed the book-style design and whether or not the broader type issue can be ditched for a leaner physique. It must be famous that that is solely a patent, and most occasions, they don’t see a public launch.
