What but happened? It seems Samsung isn't the just company considering a triple-screen folding device. A new patent from Microsoft shows what could be a future version of the Surface Duo featuring iii displays. A Surface Trio, perhaps?

Patently Apple spotted a new Microsoft patent titled "Multi-Console Device," which the U.South. Patent Office posted on December 23. The ii-hinge handset opens and closes in a Z shape, with ane of the screens doubling as the external display when the phone is shut.

We could be looking at a future version of Microsoft'due south Surface Duo, which some take already named the Surface Trio.

Both Microsoft's original Surface Duo and Surface Duo 2 have failed to capture mobile lovers' imaginations despite foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 3 becoming pop. Only adding more screen existent estate and an external display could brand the handset more appealing. The Duo can be folded in the opposite management, though that leaves both screens exposed, and while the Surface Duo 2 has a Glance Bar for notifications, it's non an ideal solution.

News of the patent comes soon after another Samsung patent showing a very similar triple-screen phone was spotted, though Samsung uses a single piece of glass rather than three individual panels. The Korean firm's device besides folds in a Z shape, with nigh of the components packed into the left and right sections; an internal design that Microsoft'due south version will likely use.

Foldable phones had a rocky start in 2022. The original Galaxy Fold saw its launch delayed past months subsequently early review units started breaking within days, and Huawei postponed its Mate 10 release to avoid like issues. Now, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip three are receiving plenty of praise from reviewers and users alike. Could the next stage come across an extra screen added, bringing us ever closer to a Westworld-style hereafter?