A new patent from Microsoft shows that the company is considering making a new tri-foldable Surface device, similar to the Samsung concept. The company launched its latest dual-screen phone, the Surface Duo 2, in September, but a recent patent filing indicates it plans to go beyond that design and develop a two-hinged device that will connect three separate displays. The patent was granted on December 23, although it was filed last year.
Like Samsung’s similar concept, these three screens will theoretically combine to form a single, giant tablet screen. But the real benefit of this design is that the screens can be folded over each other, reducing the overall size of a multiple screen. To make this possible, the hinges lie on the outside, as on the Huawei Mate X. It’s sure to be a thick phone, but it won’t take up as much space as a large tablet.