Our friends at Windows Central uncovered that Microsoft was well into developing the Surface Duo 3 folding phone. A new patent released gives us some idea of what might have been had the device made it to release. Microsoft scrapped the plans to release the device in January of 2023. The device was called Neon. It’s unlikely that the device will ever ship, but thanks to Patently Apple, we know what the device could have looked like.
The back of the device did feature a three-camera lens setup; the camera bump did manage to cover almost the entire width of the device at the top. The inside screens appeared to feature in-display camera sensors for selfies, and the device may have featured magnetic accessories as part of the design. Curiously, the patent showed a magnetic kickstand attached to the back of the device, which you can see below.
Did Microsoft help shape the future of the folding phone? Probably. Was the Surface Duo 3 maybe a bit before it’s time? It’s probably also true, but we see the Surface DNA in the device. While Microsoft’s commitment to the mobile operating system remains strong with apps like Phone Link that continue to receive features and innovations, we can only guess What the Surface Duo 3 might have been and wonder if Microsoft would ever reconsider producing a mobile device. I don’t think that is in the cards anytime soon.
Images Via Patently Apple
