Microsoft received a patent for a double-folding phone. The patent was first filed in June 2020 and was granted to the company last week. A device with two hinges and three body sections is seen in the patent. Each body section houses a display. The displays look to be separate and not one single triple-folding piece.
This new design will allow one part of the display to be the dedicated main screen, accessible when the phone is folded. This makes for rather traditional smartphone usability even when the device is closed. It will also make it much more pocket-friendly.
The new Microsoft patent
When opened, the three screens of the device combine to provide an immersive display experience. Unfortunately, this is all that is seen in the patent. The Microsoft concept does not appear to have any cameras, ports, or speakers. The technology of the double-folding phone and its mechanics also aren't included in the patent.
But Microsoft isn’t the only one researching double-folding devices. Samsung has also shown interest in the concept. A couple of weeks ago, the Korean company filed a patent for a similar-looking device. The Samsung patent showcases a triple-folding display, which when folded leaves two usable parts of the screen, one on the front and one on the back of the phone. LetsGoDigital released renders based on the patent, calling the device Galaxy Tri-Fold.
What the Galaxy Tri-Fold could look like
Still, it is unclear whether the Microsoft and Samsung devices will see production anytime soon. Microsoft has jumped on the folding bandwagon with its Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 devices. While its first attempt at this form factor was reported by many as feeling unfinished and being problematic, Microsoft fixed most of the issues with the second-generation Surface Duo phone.
On the other hand, Samsung is all about foldable screens, and rumors about it releasing a triple-folding tablet or phone have been circulating pretty much the whole year. If we have to bet which of these two concepts will see the light of day, we bet on Samsung’s.
Follow us on social media to catch the latest trending stories, watch exclusive videos, and join the conversation with our vibrant community!
Iskren, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been passionate about technology since his childhood, sparked by his early experiences with phones like the Ericsson T28 and Sony Ericsson P910i. After earning a bachelor's degree in Media and Journalism, he turned his fascination with smartphones into a career, with a particular interest in Apple and Motorola. Outside of his tech pursuits, Iskren enjoys watching TV series, movies, driving, and has a deep passion for cars and Formula 1. He looks forward to the future of mobile tech, particularly the potential of rollable smartphones.
Recommended Stories
Loading Comments...
COMMENT
All comments need to comply with our
Community Guidelines
Phonearena comments rules
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: