According to several reports, the little flip phone is going to be making a comeback in 2017. Several patent filings in the US, South Korea, Japan, and China have confirmed that the world's tech manufacturers are strongly considering moving in this direction.
Patents Of Flip Phones Appearing Everywhere
According to FinancialTribune, the first report pointing towards this topic that was the report saying that Samsung was investing some money into the development of an alleged clamshell phone with a foldable screen. Dubbed as the Galaxy X foldable phone, the new hybrid device is going to make an appearance in the latter half of this year.
The South Korea-based tech company patented the name and designs for the phone, which will ultimately take the whole Galaxy brand in an entirely new direction. Just a few days later, another patent was spotted by one particular Twitter user, claiming that LG is also on its way towards designing a flip phone of their own. According to the patented designs of the alleged LG phone, its display will fold down over towards what looks to be the keyboard section of the device.
Expectations For Flip Phones In 2017
It pretty much seems that expectations are indeed high for both Samsung and LG's versions of these devices, as experts are expecting these alleged flip phones to double itself as tablets. Such technology has already been demoed during Tech World last year, so it certainly would definitely be a possibility for something like this to come into reality this year.
Microsoft Also Entering the Mix
Meanwhile, FirstPost reports that Microsoft is also heading towards the same direction of creating a device that features a folding screen. According to their recent patent application, Microsoft's angle is to develop a phone which could also turn into a fully-fledged tablet phone.
What makes the patent different and unique from other competitors is that the proposed Microsoft device also features a locking hinge mechanism.
