Late last year, Microsoft withdrew support for the dual-screen Surface Duo, marking the end of the device. This marked the company’s official farewell to the smartphone world. However, new patents reveal that the company wants to revive the Surface Duo concept as the “Surface Phone”.
Microsoft receives patent for foldable Surface Phone
Microsoft’s first foldable phones actually consisted of two separate displays. Called Surface Duo, this series allowed two hinged displays to be used as tablets. Recent patents show that Microsoft is working on a single flexible display similar to companies like Samsung.
Just before the end of support for the first Surface Duo, Microsoft received a patent in Europe titled “Foldable Computing Device Cover Plate”. The patent drawings revealed a single flexible display wrapped around a central hinge. This is quite different from the Duo’s two separate displays held together by the hinge.
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Key aspects of the patent are that there is a retractable cover relative to the central hinge. This will help both better protect the flexible display and reduce gaps when folded. The single-screen approach follows foldable devices being developed by companies like Samsung and Google.
Microsoft has not confirmed plans for a new Surface Duo or Surface Phone. But recently acquired patents suggest that Microsoft could use a single flexible display instead of separate screens.
On the other hand, such a change could make Windows compatible with the world of tablets and foldable devices. Although Surface Duo models are based on Android, Microsoft’s future plans remain unclear.
