Microsoft files patent for a phone that folds both ways

2 min readUpdated May 26, 2025May 24, 20226:10 AM

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When we are talking book-type foldable phones, the market has gone two separate ways. There’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 way, where the big display folds in and stays inside the phone’s shell, with a secondary screen on the outside, which you can use for quick operations, a-la “regular smartphone”. Then, there’s the Huawei Mate Xs 2 way, where the display folds on the outward side of the device — so, when folded, you are still using that big screen as your main source for viewing and use.

Both concepts have their pros and cons, and many find themselves wondering “Do I want an inwards-folding or outwards-folding phone?”. Well, Microsoft would like to ask “Why not both?”.

A patent was recently filed by the team at Redmond, which outlines a foldable phone with a flap that can go 360 degrees around its hinge — so, it can both fold in and fold out. Yes, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 can absolutely do this, however, the Duo phones are very obviously 2-screen devices that are bolted together by a hinge in the middle. The patent that was discovered here shows a phone with a seamless screen, from one side to the other.

That sounds pretty tough — a screen that can fold in and out straight through its middle, and still withstand all that physical strain. Is it even possible?

Well, as Android Headlines kindly points out, LG recently demonstrated one such display panel. Yes, the same LG that quit the smartphone game is still going strong in other areas, display manufacturing being one of them.

LG Display was at SID 2022 (Society for Information Display expo) and showed its vision for the future of OLED. A few concept devices were on the show floor — both smartphone- and laptop-shaped ones — with flaps that were able to fold all the way in and out to a 360-degree angle.

The screens are made with ultra-thin glass technology and have special oleophobic coating that should be at least a bit better at keeping fingerprints away from the glossy screen. So, in theory, this could be the exact tech Microsoft might be planning to use for its outwards-folding phone.

Will this be the Surface Duo 3? That’s possible. The rumor mill is quite mum on another Surface Duo right now, and it seems Microsoft may be skipping this year in order to refine its foldable concept. So, it’s very possible that we are going to see a high tech Surface Duo 3… a year or two from now.

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Questions & Answers

How does Microsoft's newly patented phone differ from its existing Surface Duo devices?

The patent outlines a phone with a smooth screen that can fold both inwards and outwards. This contrasts with the Surface Duo, which is a two-screen device joined by a hinge.

What is the key technological challenge for a phone that folds both ways?

The main challenge is creating a smooth screen that can withstand the physical strain of folding both inwards and outwards straight through its middle. This requires robust display technology.

Which company has demonstrated display technology that could be used for Microsoft's flexible phone patent?

LG Display showed concept devices with screens capable of 360-degree folding at SID 2022. These screens use ultra-thin glass and a special oleophobic coating.

When might we expect to see a new Surface Duo device incorporating this advanced folding technology?

It is possible we could see a high-tech Surface Duo 3 in a year or two. Microsoft may be taking time to refine its foldable concept.

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