Microsoft reportedly working on a dual-display mobile device

Microsoft did not get the success it was anticipating with its Android-powered Surface Duo-series smartphones, but a new patent application filed reveals that the company is working on another foldable or dual-display mobile device. The patent application describes the company’s take on the foldable smartphone concept with single hinge technology called ‘spine cover plate’. Reportedly, next Microsoft smartphones could feature a Galaxy Z Fold-like design. Since the patent is about the hinge mechanism, not much is detailed about other aspects of the possible foldable smartphone.

The patent application was published at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 29 and was titled “Foldable Computing Device Spine Cover Plate”. Although the publishing date is recent, the document shows that the application was filed on December 14, 2022.

The patent details a spine cover plate that will be placed on a vertical hinge axis and will support the first and second display-supporting frames. Further, the patent mentions a “flexible display substrate”.

The application also delves into how the hinge mechanism will work. It explained that the central plate will have movable hinges that attach to the frame. The hinges will also contain multiple springs in opposing directions which will both hold the display frames in position and allow for smooth opening and closing of the device.