Motorola has filed a patent for a fold-out flip phone TechAlert24

Motorola has been granted a new patent for a flip phone design by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The global patent body shows sketches of a concept design that uses a folding display to fold outward, rather than the inward folding design that Motorola previously offered with the Razr. The new design shows how the smartphone would look, and it appears to include more ideas about how to use a folding display panel.

How does a Motorola outward flip phone work?

According to the patent filing, the folding phone would have a flexible display on the phone’s outward side instead of the traditional inward folding design. Users will have a display on both the front and back of the phone when the outward display is folded. A software feature that provides a functional smartphone interface with unique features on both the front and back would almost certainly be added to this. The front of the folded phone, for example, could be used as a standard smartphone layout when collapsed, while the back could be used as a viewfinder for the rear camera.

The rear camera appears to be housed in a bump, which will almost certainly house the camera as well as other important sensors. The design also appears to show a concept in which a single camera module serves as both the front and rear cameras, taking back shots when folded and selfies when unfolded.

Similar to the Oppo Find N foldable phone that was recently unveiled, the folding hinge appears to have a U-shaped curvature and a gap between the fold’s pivots. Oppo showed off a design in which the flexible display follows a more gentle curvature to avoid visible folding creases over time with the latter.

To date, Motorola has attempted to revive its iconic Moto Razr style by using an inward folding display and the Android interface. However, due to its lack of durability and high price, the latter was not a commercial success. The patent concept is intriguing, but it’s unclear whether Motorola will ever release an outward folding smartphone.