Intel may be working on a particularly futuristic smartphone

According to a patent allegedly found among the World Intellectual Property Office's (WIPO) files, Intel is currently contemplating getting into the smartphone game. Some rumors along these lines have been started before. However, the device in question is not foldable this time, but has a slightly more conventional slate-like design.

Despite this, the apparent Intel patent manages to look rather different to the average smartphone of today. It seems that the silicon giant is considering two basic prototypes for its phone: one with a typical front panel dominated by display, and another in which the rear of the phone is also partially given over to a screen. In both cases, the panels in question curve towards the sides of the phone for an edge-to-edge effect.

Some of the patent's images also indicate that Intel may use 'punch-hole' technology to put the cameras on either face of the phone right into the display. These cameras will also apparently have "360-degree" technology, which may allow a user to create next-generation content such as augmented- or virtual reality environments of their own.

This patent was apparently filed 2 days ago (on May 14, 2019); therefore, it may be quite some time before this potential plan of Intel's pans out, if indeed it ever does. On that note, the leaker who originally posted this patent also still believes that the same company will move ahead with its rumored foldable device; therefore, this putative innovative smartphone design may end up obsolete before it can even enter testing.