We have been hearing about the Surface Phone project for quite some time and we hope it’s true. Microsoft has not confirmed it yet. But new details have emerged where in the company is looking at building such a device behind closed doors.
According to a new patent discovered by MSPU and titled Wireless Communication Device, the device is described as a foldable smartphone with LTE support. Microsoft has also provided specifics on this design, even offering dimensions on each part of the device. However, the chance to see this exact project going live is very little.
However, it’s interesting to see how Microsoft look at the foldable phone approach, so check out the attached photo and read the description below for more information:
“In the implementation shown in FIG. 1, display 112 is raised above second housing 104 by an amount roughly equal to the thickness of first housing 102 such that, when wireless communications device 100 is in the closed position, display 112 and first housing 102 sit flush with respect to one another.
In this implementation, second housing 104 may measure approximately 6 mm by 72 mm by 74.5 mm, except in the area of display 112 where the thickness is double, approximately 12 mm. First housing 102 in this implementation may measure 6 mm by 72 mm by an amount such that first housing 102 and display 112 equal approximately 74.5 mm.
Therefore when wireless communications device 100 in this implementation is in the closed position, its dimensions are approximately 12 mm by 72 mm by 74.5 mm and, when wireless communications device 100 is in the fully open position, i.e., when angle 108 equals approximately 180°, its dimensions are approximately 12 mm (o.47 inch) by 72 mm (2.8 inch) by 144 mm (5.6 inch).”
Even if Microsoft does not build a foldable phone, it is clear that the company was interested in some form of that smartphone at some point of time. However, if the Surface Phone does get the green light, we can expect it to hit the shelves no sooner than 2018.
