Huawei follows Microsoft, Samsung; files patent for a foldable phone

Huawei recently caused a stir in the industry with the launch of its P20 flagship smartphone, but the company doesn't intend on stopping there. Now the company has filed a patent for a foldable display that will have a book-like mechanism, reports LetsGoDigital. The patent was filed with WIPO on September 19 in 2017. The patent was filed under the moniker "mobile terminal folding mechanism and mobile terminal."

Huawei isn't the first to patent a hinge design. Industry giants such as Microsoft and Samsung are also said to be working on their own foldable design. Reports of Huawei building a foldable smartphone has been doing rounds for quite some time. In October last year, CNET reported that the company has a working sample of the device but requires refinement with better mechanical and flexible design before it goes to mass productions stage.

What remains to be is whether the company will launch the device soon or the patent will never reach the production stage just like many patents, remains to be seen. Recently, there were reports that Samsung has filed a patent for a smartphone display that expands when pulled from the sides. The smartphone might double as a tablet.

The new patent suggests that the system will comprise of three panels. Only the main display will be visible in the 'phone mode.' To expand the screen, users will have to grab the sides and pull the device outward. This will unroll two more display sitting on either side increasing the real estate. When not in use, the other two display panels are hidden within the body of the device. Currently, this is just a patent and it's hard to determine how the device would work. Tucking three display panels in a phone will make the device thicker.

How to schedule a WhatsApp message on Android smartphones

Microsoft also seems to be prepping up to build a foldable smartphone. According to a new patent application filed by the company shows some cleverly articulated screens hinting towards a foldable smartphone. Microsoft's hinge patent could solve one of the biggest issues with dual-screen tablets and phones i.e. the huge gap between the screens when laying them flat.