Microsoft is expected to release a new Surface Phone this year. Although the company hasn't released official details of the alleged unit, rumor has it that the upcoming installment will be a foldable smartphone.

Recently, reports about a patent application for a foldable unit has surfaced. Microsoft is assumed to be experimenting on a new mobile device that expands and transforms into a tablet. According to a report by MSPowerUser, the Surface Phone will be a 2-in-1 unit. The device will have hinges that allow users to fold it in half and fold it out to turn it into a tablet.

The flexible hinges also have display panels on them, providing users with an uninterrupted view of the screen. Typically, users want a smaller device that's easier to hold when making calls but a larger display is popular for browsing the internet or working on the go. With the rumored patent, it seems like Microsoft intends to provide a device that can do both.

According to The Verge, it isn't unusual for Microsoft to file patents for experimental designs. But this particular patent stands out from the rest simply because it was filed by inventor Kabir Siddiqui. The news outlet points out that Siddiqui was the one who filed for the Surface kickstand and camera. Unlike the thousands of patents that don't see the light of day, perhaps the foldable design will.

The publication notes that the foldable design leaks might not be the final look of the rumored Surface Phone, but it will give tech enthusiasts an idea of what to expect from the next unit.

To note, Microsoft is just one of the many companies that is believed to be working on a foldable smartphone. The tech giant has yet to comment on the latest leaks and speculations. If the rumors are true, the company will announce its plans later this year.