Microsoft Surface Pro 5 release date, specs & features news update: 2-in-1 hybrid to feature Snapdragon 835 processor?

Georgia Gana Friday, December 09, 2016

The Surface Pro 5 failed to launch this year and its delay was largely attributed to Microsoft deciding to wait for the release of Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake processors. However, based on the company's latest announcement, it's possible that the next-generation Surface Pro will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 instead when it arrives next spring.

Microsoft has announced that devices released next year with Snapdragon-based processors will have full Windows 10 functionality. | Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

During the Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) event in Shenzhen, China earlier this week, Terry Myerson, executive vice president for Windows and Devices Group, announced Microsoft's renewed focus on the ARM architecture via their partnership with Qualcomm.

"For the first time ever, our customers will be able to experience the Windows they know with all the apps, peripherals, and enterprise capabilities they require, on a truly mobile, power efficient, always-connected cellular PC," said Myerson.

It is expected that Windows 10 devices equipped with ARM chips will come with significant improvements in performance. This would also allow the Surface Pro 5 to be on par with tablets like the Apple iPad and Google Pixel C in terms of battery life. The upcoming Surface Pro device would also become more appealing to customers if it gains cellular connectivity.

According to The Verge, turning the Surface Pro lineup into a more mobile device makes sense. While it was initially dubbed as a "laptop killer," Microsoft has already released the Surface Book which meets the needs of those looking for a device for more complex computing tasks. With Microsoft also retaining its partnership with Intel, the latter device lineup is expected to continue carrying Intel-based processors. It's possible that the Surface Book 2 will be the one to sport the Kaby Lake chipset.

While Microsoft has not made any official announcement regarding the Surface Pro 5, rumor has it that the 2-in-1 tablet will come with as much as 16 GB of random access memory (RAM) and possibly 512 GB of internal storage. An upgraded Surface Pen with wireless charging via a magnetic dock may also be featured. Other possible improvements over the Surface Pro 4 include a 4K display resolution and a USB Type-C port.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 5 is slated to arrive in spring 2017.