A recent leak revealed that tech giant Microsoft has received a patent for a foldable and flexible device. Based on the leaked patent application, Microsoft's mysterious device can be used as a smartphone and then unfold it to have a bigger display, which can work just like a tablet.

The leak showed that Microsoft has acquired the patent just this month. According to Slash Gear, the device is a "Mobile Computing Device having a flexible hinge structure." Based on the leaked patent document, Microsoft is working on multiple designs but all of them share the same central theme.

Like Us on Facebook

One possible design is composed of two or three hinged panels, which are joined along the edges of each section. When unfolded, the device could open up to two or three displays, depending on the design.

Another possible design shows a sliding form factor, instead of displays connected by hinges. It shows a rectangular-shaped device that will unfurl a bigger and flexible display when one of its sides is pulled. Based on the patent granted to Microsoft, a 5.58-inch phone with three sections can be converted into a 9-inch tablet when unfolded.

The leaked documents reportedly show that Microsoft first filed these prototype patents in October 2014, according to The Verge.

In terms of foldable display technology, South Korean tech giant Samsung has already demonstrated one of its own products last year, which is a rollable OLED display technology. Moreover, there are rumors claiming that Samsung is planning to release two foldable smartphones within the first few months of the year.

TagsMicrosoft, Surface, Microsoft Surface, Surface Phone, foldable phone, microsoft foldable phone