The latest hybrid Surface Pro 4 tablet, which was launched in October 2015 by Microsoft, has received a warm welcome from both the consumers and gadget reviewers. As the same period of the year nears, rumors about its successor, called Surface Pro 5, are circulating at full speed. Here are the latest reports about the upcoming convertible tablet's release date, specifications and price.
Initial rumors hinted that the American tech conglomerate is delaying Surface Pro 5 release from late 2016 to spring of 2017. One of the reasons for the delay is because Microsoft is also postponing the second major update for its latest Windows 10 software. The new overhaul, named Redstone 2, will reportedly launch next year and will be incorporated with the new Surface devices.
Another proof of a 2017 launch for Surface Pro 5 is related to Intel's upcoming Kaby Lake processor. Reports said that Microsoft wanted to use the newest chipset following SkyLake; however, the said updated processor will be released before 2016 ends or during the first quarter of 2017.
Amid this report, a recent photo tweeted by app developer Shubhan Chemburkar showed Microsoft may still be releasing a new Surface device before the year ends. If this is Surface Pro 5 or Surface Pro 4 or a new Surface Phone, no official announcements have confirmed it yet.
Meanwhile, Surface Pro 5 is already expected to follow its predecessor's upbeat steps, packed with good reviews from tech reviewers. Rumors indicate that one of the new boost for the upcoming hybrid device will be the updated Surface Pen, which will now come with a rechargeable battery that can be charged wirelessly once attached magnetically in the device.
It is also said that Surface Pro 5 will have a 2K resolution screen, though there are also news hinting for a better 4K screen variant, which will be sold in a higher price. There may also be a boost in terms of RAM, as Pro 4 is currently packed with 16GB RAM.
Surface Pro 5 may also get a better USB-C port instead of its predecessor's 3.0 USB port. Upgrades in terms of camera, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity features are also expected. In terms of pricing, it is quite easy to say that Microsoft will sell Surface Pro 5 variants at similar rate as its predecessor.