{"id":13896,"date":"2026-05-14T06:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/microsoft-almost-solved-the-worst-problem-for-folding-phones-a-new-patent-reveals-the-spring-loaded-hinge-design-of-the-canceled-surface-duo-3\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T07:00:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T14:00:53","slug":"microsoft-almost-solved-the-worst-problem-for-folding-phones-a-new-patent-reveals-the-spring-loaded-hinge-design-of-the-canceled-surface-duo-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runwayritz.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/14\/microsoft-almost-solved-the-worst-problem-for-folding-phones-a-new-patent-reveals-the-spring-loaded-hinge-design-of-the-canceled-surface-duo-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft almost solved the worst problem for folding phones: A new patent reveals the spring-loaded hinge design of the canceled Surface Duo 3."},"content":{"rendered":"


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Microsoft’s Surface phone efforts have long been dead, but a patent recently obtained by Windows Central revealed that the company has continued to explore the form factor since the Surface Duo line was discontinued in 2023. We already knew that the third-generation device would turn to a folding screen, and now we know more about the new hinge that would accompany it.<\/p>\n

According to this new patent, Microsoft was testing a “spring-loaded” hinge design that would make opening the device easier with one hand. A common complaint about foldable phones today is that it’s difficult to open the two halves when closed, whether that’s due to the flat edges of the device or the strength of the magnets.<\/p>\n

It seems that Microsoft was aware of this problem, and made a solution that included a button that, when pressed, pushed to open the two sides of the device, making it easier to open the device with your fingers or thumbs.<\/p>\n

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In this design, a spring-loaded button was located on the spine. <\/span>(Image credit: Microsoft)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The patent describes two possible uses for this spring-loaded hinge. One design places the spring release button on the back of the device, while the other places it on the power button. My sources say that some Surface Duo 3 prototypes feature a two-stage power button that, when pressed all the way, activates a spring-loaded hinge. So it’s clear that the company has been testing multiple iterations of this design.<\/p>\n