Jan 22, 2017 12:25 AM EST By Ivy Greene, UniversityHerald Reporter

Microsoft has been quiet in terms of coming out with smartphones but talks are buzzing that they have a Surface Phone in the works. Many have been very curious on how the Surface Phone looks like but so far, no leaks of a prototype yet. 

How it looks

According to BGR, other tech ginats like Samsung, Apple, and others are doing their research and looking into foldable smartphones. Like its competitors, Microsoft also has documentation that features its foldable smartphone vision.

With a patent awarded on Jan. 10, Microsoft's vision is explained through illustrations. It shows how a user would be able to easily switch from tablet to smartphone mode. This is possible with the screen's feature that allows it to be placed on the exterior of the device. Through this, the tablet could be used as a phone in compact form, or as a tablet when unfolded.

Foldable phone and tablet

Although Microsoft patents various inventions that don't result into final products, the context of this particular application is vital. The inventor is listed as Kabir Siddiqui, who also successfully patented Microsoft's Surface kickstand and Surface camera angle. Per The Verge, reports also hint that Microsoftm will be unveiling the Surface Phone this year, noting that the company has avoided traditional form factors for its Surface devices.

This latest patent could show how Microsoft is gearing towards a potential return to phones, allowing the owner to transform a device into something more than just a smartphone. The Surface Studio device leaked out months in advance, many thanks to patent filings that showed the exact design of the company's 2-in-1 PC. It could be unlikely that this is the final design of a rumored Surface Phone, but this type of device could provide some clues to how Microsoft stands in it's possible comeback in the smartphone and mobile device category.

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