Microsoft Surface Duo 2 dual-screen phone has been around for a while, and it's a significant improvement over Duo's original dual-screen phone. Microsoft will host a Surface event this October for the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Studio 3, but it's not expected to include the company's next Android dual-screen phone.
Microsoft Surface Duo 3 is expected to be released in 2023. A Surface Duo 3 was previously reported to be in development. Now, a new Microsoft patent application has come to light, further proof that Microsoft is very interested in joining the growing market for folding screen phones.
The patent application, titled "FOLDABLE DISPLAY DEVICE", focuses on folding screen devices, indicating that the design is expected to be applied to Surface Duo 3. The application, filed in 2021 and published earlier this year, details a very thoughtful handheld foldable phone.
The current Surface Duo has two screens with a hinge in the middle that can be rotated. Microsoft is working on its successor, which is believed to be a single-screen phone. In this patent application, Microsoft discusses a single folding screen panel that can be rotated from 0 to 360 degrees.
The pictures in Microsoft's patent application show that a folding screen phone can seamlessly switch between a tablet and a one-handed smartphone. According to the document, the display of the foldable phone can be bent inward and outward.
This is interesting because phones from companies like Samsung only support inward folding of the second display. Microsoft's idea allows the Surface Duo 3 to flex inward and outward, a scenario Android makers haven't tried so far.
Of course, filing a patent doesn't necessarily mean a Surface Duo 3 with this design is imminent. However, the patent could give us a better idea of what Microsoft has in mind, and it's possible a similar design could be used for the Surface Duo 3 or future foldable devices.
0 Comments