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| The Microsoft Surface Pro will soon have a successor. |
If you’ve been eyeing a new Microsoft Surface device lately, you might have noticed something frustrating: prices are going up. Across the board, Microsoft has quietly increased the cost of nearly every Surface product, from the entry-level Surface Go to the premium Surface Laptop Studio. But here’s the twist – while your wallet takes a hit today, the company is already preparing the next generation of Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices, and the leaked details suggest some surprising shifts under the hood.
According to a fresh report from German tech site WinFuture, which has tracked down early retailer listings, Microsoft is planning a dual-track strategy for its upcoming flagship devices. Consumers will see ARM-powered models, while business customers get Intel chips – but the real story is in the specs, the display options, and what’s being left behind.
Surface Laptop 15 with ARM? Discontinued.
Let’s start with the most eyebrow-raising tidbit. If the retailer data is accurate, Microsoft is pulling the plug on the 15-inch Surface Laptop equipped with an ARM processor. That model won’t return in the next generation. Instead, the smaller 13.8-inch Surface Laptop will be the sole ARM-based option for everyday consumers.
What will power it? The Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus and Snapdragon X2 Elite – the likely successors to the current Snapdragon X series. Memory configurations will range from 16 GB to 24 GB of RAM, paired with either 512 GB or 1 TB of SSD storage. That’s a solid bump from entry-level configurations today, but note the absence of a 32 GB option for consumer ARM laptops. It seems Microsoft wants to keep those higher RAM tiers reserved for business customers.
Surface Pro (2026): ARM for consumers, Intel for the office
The next-generation Surface Pro intended for consumers will follow a similar recipe. Expect the same Snapdragon X2 Plus and X2 Elite chips, available in two classic colors: “Platinum” and “Black”. RAM will range from 16 GB to 32 GB, with storage options between 256 GB and 512 GB. That’s a noticeable shift – consumer Surface Pro devices are capping storage at 512 GB, pushing anyone who needs more to look at the business lineup.
And speaking of business devices, that’s where things get truly interesting.
If you’re willing to spend more – and potentially buy through independent retailers (which is often possible even without a company ID, depending on your region) – the business-focused Surface Pro will offer a staggering amount of choice. Buyers can pick between a 13-inch LCD or a gorgeous OLED display. Under the hood, instead of Qualcomm, you’ll find Intel Core Ultra 5 or Core Ultra 7 processors based on the upcoming Panther Lake architecture. RAM goes all the way up to 64 GB. And yes, an integrated 5G modem will reportedly be available for an extra charge.
Surface Laptop for business: OLED, Panther Lake, and up to 64 GB RAM
The business version of the Surface Laptop follows the same playbook. It will be offered with either a 13.8-inch or 15-inch OLED display – no LCD option here, which is a nice premium touch. Like its Pro sibling, it runs on Intel Panther Lake chips with RAM configurations from 16 GB to 64 GB. That makes it a genuine powerhouse for professionals who need local AI acceleration, virtualization, or heavy multitasking.
Meanwhile, the consumer Surface Laptop with ARM retains a more modest ceiling. It’s a clear segmentation: ARM for battery life and everyday productivity, Intel Panther Lake for raw performance and enterprise features.
What about the design? Don’t expect a revolution
If you were hoping for a dramatic redesign, temper those expectations. WinFuture notes that the Surface Pro (2026) should hardly differ from the Surface Pro (2025) pictured in their report. The same sleek, kickstand-forward, detachable keyboard design is expected to carry over. Microsoft seems to be in a “tick-tock” cycle – this year is about internal upgrades and platform diversification, not exterior overhauls.
Pricing: “Even higher than before”
Here’s the part no one likes. According to the retailer leaks, prices for the next-generation Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are expected to be even higher than current models. That’s on top of the recent price increase across the existing Surface lineup. Microsoft is clearly positioning these devices as premium products – especially the Intel-powered business variants with OLED and 5G.
Specific launch dates and final pricing haven’t been confirmed yet. But given that retailer databases are already populating, an announcement could come as early as late spring or summer 2026.
Should you buy now or wait?
That’s the million-dollar question. If you need a device today, the current Surface Laptop is still excellent – and you can find it at a slight discount on Amazon despite the price hike. Speaking of which, if you’re considering the current-gen model, check the latest price on Amazon here. It’s the same 13.8-inch model with Snapdragon X Elite that has been widely praised for battery life.
But if you can wait, the 2026 generation brings meaningful upgrades: faster Snapdragon X2 chips, OLED options on the Pro, and Intel Panther Lake with vastly improved AI capabilities. Just be prepared to pay a premium – and decide whether you want to go the consumer ARM route or hunt down a business Intel model through third-party retailers.
Bottom line
Microsoft is raising prices now, but the real story is what’s coming. The company is splitting its lineup more clearly than ever: thin, cool, long-lasting ARM devices for most people, and absolute performance beasts with Intel Panther Lake and OLED for businesses (and prosumers who know where to shop). The 15-inch ARM laptop is dead. More RAM and storage are gated behind the business tier. And 5G is finally an option on the Pro – but only if you pay extra.
For full details, you can read the original WinFuture report here. As always with pre-launch leaks, take everything with a grain of salt – but this one comes from verified retailer data, and the pattern matches Microsoft’s recent push toward ARM for consumers and Intel for enterprise.
Stay tuned for official announcements. And maybe start saving now – because “even higher than before” is rarely good news for your bank account.
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| The design of the Surface Pro (2026) should hardly differ from the Surface Pro (2025) pictured. |
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| The Microsoft Surface Laptop will once again be offered with a 13-inch or 15-inch display. |