In an email sent out to Forbes, the Associate Director of Consumer Electronics at IHS Markit Jeff Lin has claimed that Microsoft is planning to release a small, foldable Surface as early as the first quarter of 2020. The research firm’s executive added that the device will have two 9-inch displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Citing “supply chain info,” Lin said Microsoft may release the foldable Surface as early as the first quarter of next year or by the first half of 2020. The device will feature LTE or 5G ‘Always on’ connectivity and will be capable of running Android Apps and Apple’s iCloud service in Windows 10:
Other details cited by IHS Markit include:
- Will use Windows 10 OS new version — WCOS (Windows Core OS) — for dual display UI (User Interface)
- Adopt Intel 10 nanometer (nm) system-on-a-chip (SOC) Lakefield*
- Run Android Apps and iCloud service in Windows 10
- Always on connectivity function (LTE or 5G)
Earlier reports have also suggested that Microsoft is working on a dual-screen smartphone, in addition to a dual-display Surface which the company is believed to have recently demonstrated to its employees internally.
Microsoft has declined to issue any comment on the rumoured product.
