microsoft: Microsoft files patent for reverse foldable display like LG, may use it in Surface Duo 3 – Times of India

Microsoft has filed a new patent application that demonstrates a unique foldable display on a mobile device, as per a report by WindowsCentral. This unique display on the device can fold without creating an angled gap and can also reverse-fold it 360-degrees for a single-display mode. The company has outlined the details of this new foldable display technology in the patent application which also shows “examples and methods for folding a display device through a range of degrees at a folding portion.” The report suggests that the drawings show the intentions of the device which can fold in every direction without any gap when fully closed. The patent application is mostly about the methods in which the display folds, the hinge, gears and overall design. The report also suggests that a glass display that can do what Microsoft wants is expected to be interesting.
How will this new display tech help Microsoft Surface Duo?
Currently, the Microsoft Surface Duo is dependent on two displays instead of one and this new foldable display tech might solve multiple perceived issues related to the device. It is important to note that the Surface Duo can reverse fold into many different postures, including a single-screen mode. However, the gap created by the two displays can be annoying for users who prefer a large, single-screen experience, especially while streaming content. Google’s Android 12L is also expected to act as software fixes that will mimic the dual-screen experience. With these software fixes, OEMs won’t need to “hack it” themselves like Samsung.
How is this new foldable display tech similar to that of LG?
The report also mentions that LG demonstrated some of its new display technology at SID 2022 Display Week, held earlier this week. The South Korean tech giant unveiled a new 8.03-inch foldable OLED display that can fold inwards and outwards at any angle from 0 to 360 degrees, among other innovations at this event. The report claims that this is the same technology that Microsoft would need for its patent application.
LG’s new foldable display tech specifications
According to the report, LG’s new foldable display tech uses UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) and even has an anti-fingerprint material to keep the device smudge-free. The display supports a 2480 x 2200 resolution with 413 PPI pixel-density that offers a peak brightness of 600 nits and delivers 109.9% DCI-P3 color gamut. The company also claims that the display can withstand up to 200,000 folds.
On the contrary, the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 sports an 8.3-inch OLED display that supports an 1892 x 2688 resolution with 401 PPI pixel density which is not very different from what LG demonstrated.
The future of Microsoft’s foldable display tech
Microsoft might experiment more with these innovations that can be mass-produced at an affordable cost in the future. However, it is too early to predict whether a Surface Duo 3 with such a design will launch by fall 2023.
As per the report, Microsoft might reconsider the dual-screen approach for the Surface Duo and might also try to do a variant with a foldable display. However, present technology allows such devices to fold in a single direction which will nullify any advantage Surface Duo may have over other foldable devices.
The report also mentions that Microsoft has no plans to release the Surface Duo 3 in 2022. Instead, the tech giant will focus more on software, which includes integrating Android 12L with the original Surface Duo and current Surface Duo 2, in the coming months.
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