Microsoft’s Next Windows Phone Could Feature Foldable Screens

Even though many people believed that Microsoft already abandoned Windows phones, the latest speculation in this regard indicates that the company is actually working on a reboot of the platform, with updates to be released on both the software and the hardware fronts.

More recently, alleged leaks have pointed towards a so-called Surface Mobile device that Microsoft might be working on as part of its hardware push, but as far as confirmations go, nothing is certain for the time being.

And yet, it appears that the Redmond-based giant is already looking into several features for its next mobile device, including one that could bring it in line with the other Surface models currently on the market.

Patents show that Microsoft is developing a special hinge that could be used on a foldable device the size of a smartphone, in the end getting a new form factor that would be based on 3 different configurations: 0 degrees closed, 180 degrees flat open, and 360 degrees fully open.

All-in on hinges

As MSPU notes, patents show that Microsoft wants the foldable screen to be split into two parts and to display two different user interfaces when not in 180-degree mode. On the other hand, a single interface mode will be displayed in 180 degrees, similar to a tablet.

Microsoft has been investing in hinges from the very beginning, with the Surface lineup introducing new such technology with almost every new generation. The latest to do it is the Surface Studio, which allows the all-in-one PC to convert to a drawing board without any external accessories.

Interestingly, the patents that included the drawings you can see here were filed by Kabir Siddiqui, who is the creator of the Surface kickstand that made its public debut in 2012 with the Surface RT.

Of course, patents are no confirmation of a new product, but at least they do show that Microsoft is looking into ways to overhaul its mobile platform. It remains to be seen if the concept here will get the go-ahead, as rumors point to a new Microsoft smartphone landing next year.