While it is still unclear whether or not foldable smartphones are just a 2017 fad or future, Microsoft has jumped on the bandwagon with its highly anticipated Microsoft Surface Phone 2017. Recently filed patent by Microsoft hints that upcoming flagship phone from Microsoft might be having foldable feature.

A patent, which was filed by Microsoft with the United States Patent and trademark Office (USPTO) indicate the possibility of the Microsoft Surface Phone to come with a foldable screen. The filing was done back in 2016 and was granted in January this year. The patented Microsoft device or innovation is described as a "mobile computing gadget with a flexible hinge structure".

The foldable device may be used like a tablet for reading and browsing and can be folded to the size of a smartphone to use for sending texts and making calls. In "tent mode," the foldable can be used for watching movies and videos. According to The Marshal Town, the device was invented by Kabir Siddiqui who held the patent for the Surface camera and Surface kickstand.

Moreover, Microsoft's foldable device will go toe-to-toe with some top notch smartphones including Apple's iPhone 8 and Google's Pixel XL. Some reports also claim that the, Microsoft could now be gearing up to launch "the ultimate mobile device."

The Microsoft Surface Phone is rumored to come in 2017 but there has been no confirmation yet. In fact, the company also did not make any announcements related to the Surface Phone at the recently-concluded Mobile World Congress.

According to Trusted Reviews, rumors say that Surface Phone will come in three variants all of which will likely adopt the all-metal design. The Consumer Edition will likely be the cheaper version, which will come possibly with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage. The Business Edition will be having 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage while the Enthusiast Edition will reportedly feature 8GB of RAM and 500GB of internal memory.

Regardless of being a relatively new player in the hardware industry, Microsoft has impressed with its Surface devices particularly the Surface Pro, Surface Book, Surface Studio and Surface Hub. Upcoming Surface Phone 2017 is expected to hit the store shelves bearing a price range from $699 up to $1,100.

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