Microsoft is making headlines again, but this time for a very different reason. The company has done patent filing for which has the potential to change the future of phone design. The patent images of the Microsoft foldable phone patent, recently published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), reveal details of a device designed specifically for foldable computing. However, what has truly surprised everyone—and raised red flags—is that the camera module design looks eerily similar to the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. But to fully understand why this development is making headlines, it is important to first examine the design.
Microsoft Foldable Phone Design: Kickstand, Seamless Display, and Camera Layout
The new patent shows Microsoft’s idea for foldable phones with a magnetic kickstand that can keep the device steady in different positions. This design has a single folding screen, quite similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold. It also has a special power button that works as a quick release, making it easier to open the phone. On the back, the device has a triple-camera setup that looks a lot like the one on Apple’s iPhone Pro models. The patent also points to support for magnetic add-ons, much like Apple’s MagSafe system.
Microsoft has not said if this phone will be made and while Microsoft has not confirmed an official name for the device, industry reports suggest it could have been part of the canceled Surface Duo 3 project, internally codenamed “Neon.” If revived, analysts believe Microsoft might rebrand it as the Surface Fold or even the Surface Flex, aligning with the naming trend of modern foldable smartphones.
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Microsoft’s Patent Sparks Debate Over iPhone-Like Camera Layout
While Microsoft’s design is new and shows a lot of potential for the future, most of the buzz has focused on the camera design. The patent shows a device with a triple-camera setup on the back, with three lenses grouped in one section. The placement looks very similar to the camera layout on Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, which is also expected next year. Apple’s Pro models are known for their three-lens system—usually a wide-angle, an ultra-wide, and a telephoto lens. Since Microsoft’s design patent shows a nearly identical style, it has drawn attention and sparked questions about whether the company is being inspired by Apple’s design or simply following a popular trend in smartphone cameras. Apple hasn’t commented on the similarity, which has only fueled the buzz around Microsoft’s design patent.
Will Microsoft’s Foldable Patent Become a Real Phone or Stay a Concept?
The key question is whether this concept becomes a real foldable phone or remains another shelved idea like the Surface Duo 3. Either way, the patent shows Microsoft is still exploring new directions in phone design, even if it invites comparisons to Apple.
How Microsoft’s Foldable Phone Patent Could Impact the Smartphone Market
If released, Microsoft’s foldable could challenge leaders like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and the Google Pixel Fold. Features such as the magnetic kickstand and MagSafe-style accessories may help it stand out, though the iPhone-like camera design also shows how phone makers are starting to look more alike than different.
Conclusion
With features like a magnetic kickstand, a seamless folding display, and a camera layout similar to Apple’s iPhone Pro models, the design shows both promise and controversy. While it’s still unclear if this concept will ever become a real product, one thing is certain—Microsoft is not stepping away from exploring bold ideas that could shape the future of smartphones.
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