Illustration from Microsoft’s patent shows that the foldable display can bend both ways. | Image credit-USPTO
That’s right. According to the patent Microsoft claims to have finally figured out a way to end the screen crease from ruining the experience of using a foldable phone. Also helping Microsoft get rid of the dreaded screen crease would be the use of manufacturing techniques such as wet etching and laser cutting.
The dual-screen Surface Duo 2. | Image credit-Microsoft
Illustration from Microsoft’s patent for a foldable with a display that does not have a crease. | Image credit-USPTO
For Microsoft to make a big splash in foldables, getting rid of the crease would be a major step in the right direction as would the ability to fold the display 360 degrees. Sure, the Surface Duo could “fold” 360 degrees, but it was not technically a foldable phone. If Microsoft can create a phone carrying a screen that bends and has the attributes listed in the patent, it might be able to make a mark in this growing sector immediately. But the company will need to come up with features that take advantage of a screen that folds 360 degrees.