Microsoft Surface Event 2021: what to expect

Windows 11 is just around the corner, which means it’s time for Microsoft to launch new Surface hardware to go with it as well. We expect to hear all about the device line-up at the company’s big hardware event on Wednesday, September 22. The show starts at 8:00 a.m. PT / 11:00 a.m. ET, and it’s a completely virtual show, so you can join us at that time. official link to see all of the latest devices Microsoft has in store. Here’s what we expect to see.

Surface Duo 2

Let’s start with the least Windows product in the lineup: Microsoft’s attempt to create a foldable Android phone is expected to reboot during the Surface event. The Surface Duo 2 leak over the summer, first appearing on Youtube, then Windows Central checked what was to come.

Leaked photos of the Surface Duo 2 show a foldable dual-screen device with two 5.8-inch screens side-by-side, separated by a hinge. We expect to see improved cameras: Leaks show a bulky rear camera module with three lenses, a wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lens. There is also a selfie camera inside for video calls and the like.

The Surface Duo 2’s battery capacity is expected to increase to help adjust to the device’s allegedly high refresh rate, although it’s not confirmed whether it’s 90Hz or 120Hz. We’ve also heard that the Surface Duo 2 will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip, 5G connectivity, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC, which should help make up for a bit of the last-gen Duo’s complete lack of contactless payments.

Surface Book 4

The device that is likely to steal the show is the Surface Book 4, which is Microsoft’s flagship laptop. According to patents and some very creative rendering, it will be a complete overhaul of the two-in-one laptop, with Microsoft abandoning the detachable screen in favor of a more stable connected screen. Previous iterations of the Surface Book were heavy because all of the components were placed inside the display. But this redesign would make the Surface Book 4 a true convertible, capable of going from a laptop to a tablet for drawing and reading. Possible specs include a larger trackpad, 14-inch display, two USB-C ports, and NVIDIA RTX graphics.

Windows Central note that the name of this particular convertible laptop has not been fully solidified. Some of the possible names include “Book 4”, “Laptop Pro”, and “Laptop Studio”.

Surface Pro 8

The device that most closely resembles the first generation Area is the rumored Surface Pro 8. This one will help usher in Windows 11, just like the original helped launch Windows 8 in 2012. How time flies!

The Surface Pro 8 isn’t likely to be a drastic design change since Microsoft has built a huge range of accessories and peripherals specifically for this device. However, The edge reports that the design is expected to include a larger screen and smaller bezels, and that at least one variant of the Surface Pro 8 will support Thunderbolt, which would be a first for a Surface device. It is also expected to be updated with the 11th Gen Intel chips, which fits over most laptop announcements this year.

Surface Pro X and Surface Go 3

There will probably be a hardware bump for the ARM base Surface Pro X, featuring chip refresh and a screen with a higher refresh rate. But beyond that, there are few leaks and rumors about the Surface Pro X other than the fact that Microsoft could finally make its always-connected device a little less connected by creating a Wi-Fi-only version of the. device.

The budget Surface Go is also likely to get a pickup with the Surface Go 3. But for the most part, we’re only expecting a spec increase. Geekbench results show the low-end Surface Go 3 running an Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y processor and the high-end version running an Intel Core i3-10100Y processor with LTE.

Don’t forget the accessories

We expect Surface devices to have a few new things. There’s likely a new Surface Pen on the horizon to go with the Surface Book 4, along with haptic support tailored for new stylus-specific features in Windows 11. Signature-style covers that come with Surface devices can also come with it. be updated. It’s unclear whether Microsoft could update the Surface Headphones 2 or the Surface Earbuds, as they’re both 1.5 years old at this point.

But we’ll find out in a few days when Microsoft announces all of its new hardware for the fall. And then we only have a short wait until Windows 11 is officially available to everyone on October 5th. Keep it locked on Gizmodo for all the news and share your Microsoft device wishlist with us in the comments below!