Microsoft Refreshes Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch with Snapdragon X2 Plus, Brighter Screens and 5G

24/09/2026

Microsoft has refreshed the two most compact devices in its Surface lineup. The second-generation Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch move to the Snapdragon X2 Plus processor and gain a more powerful NPU, brighter displays and at least 16GB of RAM. The company introduced them at Snapdragon Summit together with a new Surface Mouse with haptic feedback. It is the first platform update for the entry-level Surface models since they launched.

Snapdragon X2 Plus replaces the first generation

The biggest change is inside. Instead of the eight-core first-generation Snapdragon X Plus, both devices now run a six-core Snapdragon X2 Plus with Adreno graphics. Its Hexagon NPU is rated at 80 TOPS, up from 45 TOPS, which gives on-device AI features in Windows 11 considerably more headroom.

Despite the lower core count, Microsoft claims gains across the board. According to the company, compared with the previous generation the new models are up to 17% faster in Microsoft Office, up to 18% more efficient on battery, offer more than 60% faster graphics and run AI inference on the NPU up to 95% faster. These are the manufacturer's own figures, so independent testing will show the real difference.

16GB as standard and higher prices

LPDDR5x memory now comes in 16GB and 24GB configurations, with 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage. The 8GB versions Microsoft offered for the previous generation are gone. Buyers get more headroom for multitasking and AI features, but also a higher entry price.

Dropping the 8GB option is one of the reasons for the price increase. Surface Pro 12-inch starts at $1,149 and Surface Laptop 13-inch at $1,199, while the previous versions launched at $799 and $899 respectively. Engadget also links the higher prices to rising memory costs across the market. The Surface Pro keyboard is still sold separately; Engadget puts its price at $150.

Brighter displays and a familiar design

The chassis of both models are unchanged, but the displays are 25% brighter and now reach 500 nits. For compact devices that often leave the desk, this is a noticeable improvement, as content is easier to read in bright daylight. A new Black color joins Platinum and Violet, while Microsoft has retired the Ocean color.

Surface Pro 12-inch: a fanless tablet with 5G

Surface Pro 12-inch remains the most portable Surface Pro. The tablet weighs 0.69 kg (1.5 lb) and has no fan, so it runs silently. Its 12-inch PixelSense LCD with a resolution of 2196 x 1464 and 220 PPI supports refresh rates of up to 90Hz, although it runs at 60Hz by default. According to Microsoft, a single charge lasts up to 15.5 hours of video playback or 13 hours of active web use.

Microsoft Ink Canvas is a new pen-first app preinstalled on Surface Pro 12-inch. It lets users sketch, take notes, annotate, generate images and summarize text with AI directly on the canvas. The app will also come to other Surface devices and supported Windows 11 PCs through the Microsoft Store.

An optional 5G modem will be available in configurations for commercial customers. Microsoft calls it one of the most requested additions for this form factor, as it lets people work on the go without relying on public Wi-Fi. Pricing and configurations have not been announced yet.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: up to 22.5 hours of battery life

Surface Laptop 13-inch is Microsoft's most compact clamshell laptop and weighs 1.23 kg (2.7 lb). It has a 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1280, a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 60Hz refresh rate. Battery life is its main strength: according to Microsoft, the laptop lasts up to 22.5 hours of video playback and up to 18 hours of web browsing, noticeably longer than Surface Pro 12-inch.

The laptop's storage is removable, so it can be replaced without fully disassembling the device. Alongside two USB-C ports, it keeps a USB-A port, which is handy for older peripherals without adapters.

Surface Mouse with haptic feedback

Alongside the computers, Microsoft released a new Surface Mouse, the first update to the Surface mouse in ten years. It features built-in haptic feedback that works with related Windows 11 features, for example when resizing windows, as well as a configurable action button. The mouse has a symmetrical design that suits left-handed users, connects over Bluetooth 6.0 and runs on two AAA batteries. It comes in black and platinum and costs $79.99.

Pre-orders for Surface Pro 12-inch, Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Mouse are already open, with sales in select markets starting on October 13. From the same date, the devices will be available to business customers through Surface for Business.

Surface Pro 12-inch specifications

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus (6 cores)
NPU: Qualcomm Hexagon, 80 TOPS
Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno
Display: 12" PixelSense LCD, 2196 x 1464 (220 PPI), 3:2, up to 90Hz (60Hz default), up to 500 nits, touch
Memory: 16GB or 24GB LPDDR5x
Storage: 256GB or 512GB UFS
Battery life (per Microsoft): up to 15.5 hours of video playback, up to 13 hours of web use
Ports: 2 x USB-C (USB 3.2)
Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, optional 5G (commercial customers)
Cooling: passive, fanless
Weight: 0.69 kg (1.5 lb)
Color: Platinum, Violet, Black

Surface Laptop 13-inch specifications

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus (6 cores)
NPU: Qualcomm Hexagon, 80 TOPS
Graphics: Qualcomm Adreno
Display: 13" PixelSense, 1920 x 1280 (178 PPI), 3:2, 60Hz, up to 500 nits, touch
Memory: 16GB or 24GB LPDDR5x
Storage: removable, 256GB or 512GB UFS
Battery life (per Microsoft): up to 22.5 hours of video playback, up to 18 hours of web use
Ports: 2 x USB-C (USB 3.2), 1 x USB-A (USB 3.2)
Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Weight: 1.23 kg (2.7 lb)
Color: Platinum, Violet, Black