A patent that was recently made public revealed the design that Microsoft planned for its rumored "Surface Phone." However good or advance the company's design for their new phone will be, it would be best for them to concentrate on software.

According to a report from Express, the patent has revealed Microsoft's multi-layered phone display that is built with tiled panels that have a curved edge. The curve is likely intended to make the display show a continuous image by drawing light away from the gaps.

The report said that the design would also allow Microsoft to create a folding design for the "Surface Phone." And this isn't the first time the smartphone has been rumored to have a folding design, as a separate patent in January showed designs of a foldable device.

The device has the size of a tablet but would be able to fold onto itself using a hinge and create a display that's about the size of a smartphone. But according to Forbes, instead of trying to come up with great hardware design, Microsoft should instead concentrate on software capabilities of the Microsoft Cloud.

The report said that the company's CEO Satya Nadella had already moved the mobile strategy of Microsoft towards its cloud space. This is different from former CEO Steve Ballmer's strategy of trying to dominate hardware and operating system layer.

Microsoft already has an advantage when it comes to software as consumers, whether they are using android-powered devices or the iOS, have access to the company's services such as Office and Outlook. Concentrating on this aspect gives Microsoft the advantage than trying to go the hardware route, where Apple and Google's hardware platforms are dominating.

As to when the Microsoft "Surface Phone" will come out, recent reports are saying that 2018 or even 2019 would be the likely timetable. The product, though, is said to be in development so at least it's sure to come. In the meantime, check out more news about Microsoft's smartphone device.