Trending Now - Microsoft's Surface Devices Face Price Hikes and Diminishing Appeal
WHO:
TechRadar - Microsoft is the company involved in the release of Surface devices.
WHAT:
Windows Central - Microsoft is planning to ship Intel models of Surface PCs first, followed by Snapdragon models a couple of months later in 2026.
Windows Central - The new Surface PCs will feature upgraded displays, including higher resolution screens for some models.
Windows Central - Microsoft is not planning to offer any Surface PCs with Qualcomm’s new high-end Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme SoC, only X2 Plus and X2 Elite options are planned for this wave.
Windows Central - Microsoft has no plans to ship a $599 Surface Laptop to compete with Apple's new MacBook Neo in the near future.
Windows Central - Microsoft plans to launch new Surface PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra 3 chips in spring 2026, followed by Snapdragon X2 variants in summer 2026.
Windows Central - The new Surface PCs will start with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage, with options up to 64GB RAM and 2TB storage in the highest-end models.
Windows Central - Microsoft is introducing OLED variants of the Surface Laptop, available only on higher-end configurations, while entry-level models will retain IPS displays.
Windows Central - The new devices will feature upgraded haptics tied to Windows 11’s improved haptics system.
Windows Central - Microsoft is not planning to offer any Surface PCs with Qualcomm’s new high-end Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme SoC, only X2 Plus and X2 Elite options are planned for this wave.
Wired - Microsoft Surface PCs are experiencing price increases ranging from $200 to $300.
Wired - Microsoft no longer sells a sub-$1,000 Surface model.
TechRadar - Arm-based Surface devices are expected to be released later in 2026, while Intel models will be released first.
WHEN:
TechRadar - The release of Arm-based Surface devices is anticipated later in 2026.
WHY:
Wired - The rising cost of consumer technology is a common theme in 2026, contributing to the price hikes of Surface devices.
HOW:
Windows Central - The decision to release Intel models first is due to the current short supply of Snapdragon chips.
Wired - The price increases are part of a broader trend affecting consumer tech in 2026.
(UPDATED April 16, 2026 19:23 UTC)
Microsoft is set to launch new Surface PCs starting with Intel models, followed by Snapdragon versions a couple of months later in 2026, primarily due to a current shortage of Snapdragon chips. These upcoming devices will feature upgraded displays, including higher resolution screens for select models, but Microsoft will not include Qualcomm’s new high-end Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme SoC in this release. Additionally, the company has no plans to introduce a $599 Surface Laptop to compete with Apple's new MacBook Neo in the near future.
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(UPDATED April 16, 2026 17:24 UTC)
Microsoft is set to launch new Surface PCs powered by Intel Core Ultra 3 chips in spring 2026, followed by Snapdragon X2 variants in summer 2026. The new devices will start with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with options going up to 64GB of RAM and 2TB of storage for the highest-end models, while OLED variants will be available only on the premium configurations. Additionally, these Surface PCs will feature upgraded haptics linked to Windows 11’s enhanced haptics system, but Microsoft will not offer any models with Qualcomm’s new high-end Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme SoC.
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(UPDATED April 16, 2026 13:23 UTC)
Microsoft is raising the prices of its Surface PCs by $200 to $300, and the company has also stopped selling any Surface models priced under $1,000. As part of this shift, Arm-based Surface devices are expected to be released later in 2026, following the launch of Intel models. These changes reflect a broader trend in 2026, where rising costs in consumer technology are impacting pricing across the board.