Foldable Microsoft Surface with Android app compatibility rumored for 2020

Rumors of a foldable Microsoft Surface product have been circulating for well over a year now, but the latest leak offers up more possible details than ever before.

Speaking with Forbes, British analytics outfit IHS Markit claimed that a smaller foldable Surface device would arrive in the first half of 2020, according to “supply chain info” that it has obtained.

Surface Centaurus dual-screen laptop secretly shown off by Microsoft

Furthermore, IHS Markit stated that the device would rely on Microsoft’s upcoming foldable-friendly version of Windows 10, would be able to support Android and iCloud apps, and would run on Intel’s new 10nm Lakefield SoC (System on a Chip).

The new version of Windows 10 – which is rumored to be named Windows Core OS (or WCOS for short) – features integrated UI support for dual displays.

Physically, the foldable Surface is said to feature dual 9-inch displays in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The folding edge will supposedly be reinforced by a sturdy hinge (hinted at in recent patents) and, internally, the device will include a support for an always-on LTE or 5G mobile data connection.

While there have been plenty of whispers surrounding a pocket-sized Microsoft device codenamed Andromeda, the unit referred to by IHS Markit will apparently be Surface-branded, known internally as Centaurus, and will be closer to a 2-in-1 in size and functionality.

As foldable phones like the Huawei Mate X and the Samsung Galaxy Fold get closer to launching, the lines between smartphone, tablet and laptop are beginning to blur – although it may take even these giant tech titans some time to perfect the balance between affordability and reliability.