Samsung has a patent for a foldable phone that looks like a tiny Surface Book

Rumors that Samsung is building a phone with a foldable display just got a new wind with a patent application from the company describing exactly that: A smartphone with a bendable part in the middle that can be folded into a phone sandwich.

Called the Galaxy X or Project Valley, the device (or possibly multiple devices) was rumored to be launching as early as this year. As that won't happen, rumors now point to an early 2017 launch.

The new patent application, originally filed in April and unearthed by Dutch outlet GalaxyClub (via SamMobile), shows a candy bar smartphone with a bendable hinge in the middle that bears a strong resemblance to the hinge seen on Microsoft's Surface Book.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

We know bendy screens are possible right now, and it's not that hard to imagine a design that makes sure nothing that can't bend (like chips) is placed in the middle, which is pretty much what the patent application describes.

Let me be honest here: I don't see many advantages of this approach, except perhaps a retro look that sort of reminds us of the flip phone. The patent application does have an image of the phone folded and propped up to let you watch content on the vertical part while you type on the horizontal portion, but it doesn't look particularly ergonomic.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The patent application is in Korean; you can download it here.

Rumors are one thing, and patent applications are another. But neither offers solid proof that this phone exists or will actually be built. It's nice, however, to see Samsung taking the plunge into unexplored waters.

And for an idea as to how this might look in practice, check out the awkward video of a similar Samsung concept from 2014, below.