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Surface Pro 7 leaks in two different designs, but Microsoft has something bigger in the pipeline

Updated: Oct 02, 2019, 10:17 AM

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Surface Pro 7 leaks in two different designs, but Microsoft has something bigger in the pipeline

Surface Pro 7 render

Following in the footsteps of a sixth-generation Surface Pro hybrid that looked an awful lot like the fifth-gen variant released back in 2017, Microsoft is preparing to unveil a number of "new and innovative things" at a New York City event on Wednesday, October 2.

That may sound like the kind of empty promise companies occasionally make in advance of announcements of iterative product upgrades, but according to several trusted tipsters and insiders, the Redmond-based tech giant is indeed planning to launch a bunch of interesting new devices, at least one of which could be objectively described as "innovative."

The oft-rumored Surface Pro 7 and mysterious ARM-powered Surface are rendered today in great detail and top quality by none other than Evan Blass, aka tech leaking legend @evleaks, along with a Surface Laptop 3 in 13 and 15-inch sizes that largely falls outside of our purview here at PhoneArena. Blass also mentions what we expect to be the scene stealer of the October 2 event, although you might have to wait until this almost mythical "dual-screen" Surface is actually unveiled to check it out in high-res images.

Surface Pro 7 - another big internal upgrade with very few external changes

They say you shouldn't try to fix what ain't broke, and for the last few years, Microsoft has left the appearance of the Surface Pro mostly unchanged. That seems to be the case once again this year, but once again, a substantial performance improvement is expected thanks to the adoption of Intel's hot new 10th Generation Ice Lake architecture.

As usual, you will be able to opt for various memory and storage configurations, most likely ranging from an entry-level combination of 4 gigs of RAM with a 128GB SSD to a top-of-the-line 16/512GB model. The latter will naturally pack the latest state-of-the-art Intel Core i7 chip, with Core i3 and Core i5 options also available in humbler memory and storage variants.

The convertible new high-end tablet may or may not come with an overhauled and significantly thinner keyboard, but one external change pretty much guaranteed already is the long overdue switch from a Mini DisplayPort to a more versatile and universally liked USB Type-C connector.

ARM-powered Surface - lower price, inferior processing speed, thinner bezels

While we don't know for sure how much the Surface Pro 7 is supposed to cost, our guess is the upgraded powerhouse will start at around $900, just like its predecessor. Although the quality/price ratio is likely to remain unrivaled, Microsoft might want to appeal to a more budget-conscious audience as well. Enter this ARM-powered Surface variant that Windows Central expects to be marketed as part of the Surface Pro lineup rather than a "regular" Surface 7.

What's interesting about this potentially affordable iPad Pro rival is its arguably sleeker design compared to the Intel Ice Lake-powered Surface Pro 7. We're talking a seemingly superior screen to body ratio made possible by slimming down the bezels, as well as a significantly thinner overall body, at least at first glance. Unfortunately, we don't know a lot about the specs of this entry-level Surface Pro 7 with Snapdragon processing power, but like most other configurations, 4G LTE support is rumored to be a part of the standard package.

One more thing - a dual-screen Surface to challenge foldable devices

It's no big secret that Microsoft has been working on a few different takes on the whole foldable concept for many years now, reportedly switching back and forth between a couple of main projects know internally under the Andromeda and Centaurus codenames. The latest whispers suggest the latter enterprise might finally spawn a commercial-ready product this week, although the details remain murky.

This is just one of many dual screen Microsoft Surface concepts bandied about in recent years

According to several insiders over the last 12 months or so, the idea Microsoft has settled on for the first Centaurus-derived device is that of a tablet with two screens that can be folded together essentially like the pages of a book. When unfolded, the gadget would be able to deliver the same content on both its 9-inch or so displays or enable a super-advanced multitasking experience by opening two side-by-side apps or even allowing one screen to function as a keyboard and trackpad.

Sadly, these are all mere assumptions based on the most popular concepts and use cases bandied about of late. Evan Blass has absolutely no information to share on this very intriguing "dual-screen Surface" product that could even end up making its debut as an unfinished prototype on October 2 ahead of a still-distant commercial release. But that's not usually how Microsoft operates, so for the time being, we're optimistic we'll see something truly "innovative" unveiled that you will then be able to purchase relatively quickly.

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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.