There have been no new updates from Microsoft ever since the company announced that it would no longer support its current Windows 10 mobile phones. Still, there are reports that the Cupertino-based tech giant would introduce a brand new handset that serves as an extension of the popular Microsoft Surface collection. Staying true to the Surface tech's hybrid 2-in-1 setup, the Microsoft Surface Phone is expected to sport a foldable display, allowing itself to transform from a regular smartphone to a widescreen tablet.

The public has only been getting updates regarding the Microsoft Surface Phone through recent patent submissions that are leaked on the internet. The latest one, obtained by MSPowerUser, suggests that the Surface Phone will feature the Back Touch, in which the rear part of the device is almost completely wrapped around by touch-sensitive screen. This is a good way to introduce the Surface Phone as a unique Windows mobile device, given that other tech firms also have plans to launch their own foldable handsets in the near future. 

The most recent Microsoft Surface Phone patent submission, titled "Gesture Language for a Device with Multiple Touch Surfaces," talks about how the back portion of the device can have more functions other than housing the battery. With the Back Touch, the Surface Phone's rear can be used to perform gesture commands, which will be reflected on the primary display panel at the front.

Interestingly, Microsoft once had came up with an idea to maximize the use of a handset's back side by incorporating a similar technology such as the Back Touch. With a touchscreen in place on the rear portion of the device, users will have more ways to control the actions on the screen. The Back Touch can be compared to an already exisiting feature of a Samsung device, wherein the rear-positioned touchscreen can be swiped down to reveal the notification list. Although, Microsoft's plan has never seen the light of day,

Still, the public is advised to take this latest patent leak with a grain of salt, especially that Microsoft has yet to confirm the details in connection with the Surface Phone's arrival. It is possible that Microsoft had another concept for the Back Touch feature, but that does not mean that the Surface Phone, or any other future Microsoft handsets in the market will use the Back Touch.