The new version of Microsoft Surface Pro is finally out now. It includes the long-awaited USB-C port, new 10nm Intel processors, better wireless connectivity, and more. The overall appearance of the new Surface Pro 7 is very similar to the Surface Pro 6, with the same platinum and black color options.
If you're looking for a 2-in-1 laptop and deciding between the cheaper Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7, we've provided a detailed comparison of both devices to help you make an informed decision.
Surface Pro 6 vs 7: Specs Comparison
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Key Features |
What's new | - Better performance: It’s now 67% faster than the Surface Pro (5th Gen).
- New color: Now available in Platinum and the new Matte Black.
- Better specs: Surface Pro 6 comes with quad-core 8th Generation Intel Kaby Lake R processors.
- Better price: $899 for quad-core Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, 128 GB SSD, and Windows 10 Home.
| - Better performance
It’s now 2.3x times faster than Surface Pro 6.
- Now with USB-C
It allows you to charge, transfer data, and output up to two 4K@60Hz displays.
- Better specs
10th Gen Intel Ice Lake processors, Intel Iris Plus G1-G7 graphics, 3733 MHz LPDDR4x, WiFi-6, Bluetooth 5.
- More
Fast Charging and Dual far-field studio mics
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What's missing | - No Intel Core m3 configuration
- Windows 10 Pro isn't available for consumers
| - MiniDisplay port replaced with USB-C port
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Availability | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Released | 2018 | 2019 |
Release Info | - Introduced: October 2, 2018 (Microsoft October Event)
- Pre-ordered: October 2, 2018
- Released: October 16, 2018
| - Introduced: October 2, 2019 (Microsoft October Event)
- Pre-ordered: October 2, 2019
- Released: October 22, 2019
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Pricing | Starting at 899$ | Starting at 749$ |
Display | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Size | 12.3 Inches |
Info | - Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (5M Pixels)
- Density: 267 PPI
- PixelSense™ Display
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- Inking: designed together with Surface Pen
- Touch: 10 points multi-touch
- Corning® Gorilla® Glass
- 10nm Oleophobic Coating
| - Resolution: 2736 x 1824 (5M Pixels)
- Density: 267 PPI
- PixelSense™ Display
- Aspect ratio: 3:2
- Inking: designed together with Surface Pen
- Touch: 10 points multi-touch
- Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
- 10nm Oleophobic Coating
- 100% sRGB color, individually calibrated
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Exterior | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Size Comparison | |
Dimensions | 11.50” x 7.9” x 0.33” (292 mm x 201 mm x 8.5 mm)Width: 11.50” (292 mm) Height: 7.9” (201 mm) Thickness: 0.33” (8.5 mm) |
Weight | - Intel Core i5: 1.7 lbs (770 g)
- Intel Core i7: 1.73 lbs (784 g)
| - Intel Core i3: 1.70 lbs (775 g)
- Intel Core i5: 1.70 lbs (776 g)
- Intel Core i7: 1.73 lbs (790 g)
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Colors | Matte Black Platinum |
Keyboard and Trackpad | - Surface Type Cover
- Not included
- Weight: 0.68 lb (310 g)
- Dimension: 11.61 x 8.54 x 0.19 inches (295 mm x 216 mm x 5mm)
- Keyboard:
- Activation: Moving (mechanical) keys
- Layout: QWERTY, full row of function keys (F1-F12)
- 4 directional keys; Windows, Brightness and Media Controls Keys;
- LED backlighting
- Trackpad:
- Precision glass trackpad.
- Trackpad size: 4 x 2 inches (101.6 mm x 50.8 mm)
- Supports a five-finger multitouch gesture.
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Ports | | |
Internal Specs | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Processor | - 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8250U
4 cores, 8 threads, 1.60 → 3.40 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 15W - 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U
4 cores, 8 threads, 1.70 → 3.60 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 15W - 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U
4 cores, 8 threads, 1.90 → 4.20 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 15W
| - 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1005G1
2 cores, 4 threads, 1.20 → 3.40 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 15W - 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1035G4
4 cores, 8 threads, 1.10 → 3.70 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 15W - 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7
4 cores, 8 threads, 1.30 → 3.90 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 15W
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Integrated Graphics | - 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8250U
Intel® UHD Graphics 620 24 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz - 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8350U
Intel® UHD Graphics 620 24 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz - 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-8650U
Intel® UHD Graphics 620 24 Execution Units, 300 → 1150 MHz
| - 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1005G1
Intel® UHD Graphics 32 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz - 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1035G4
Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 48 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz - 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7
Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics 64 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
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Memory | 8GB 16GB 1866 MHz LPDDR3 RAM | 4GB 8GB 16GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X RAM |
Storage | 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB 1 TB BGA PCIe SSD |
Connectivity | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Wi-Fi | - Wi-Fi 5: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compatible.
| - Wi-Fi 6: IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax compatible.
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Bluetooth | - Bluetooth Wireless 4.1 technology
| - Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology
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Battery | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Size | 45 Wh | 43.2 Wh |
Battery Life | Up to 13.5 hours of video playback | Up to 10.5 hours of typical device usage |
Power Supply | - 44W power supply
- USB-A output: 5W
- Surface Connect: 39W
| - 60W power supply with USB-A (5W) (65W total)
- Supports Fast Charge (0-80% in about one hour)
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Software | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
OS | - For Consumer: Windows 10 Home
- For Commercial: Windows 10 Pro
Free upgrade to Windows 11 |
Built-in Apps | Microsoft Office 365 30-days trial |
Camera & Audio | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Camera | - Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
- 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p Skype HD video
- 8.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p full HD video
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Audio | - Dual microphones
- 1.6W stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium
| - Dual far-field Studio Mics
- 1.6W stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium
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Misc | Surface Pro 6 | Surface Pro 7 |
Inking | Supports Surface Pen4096 levels of pressure Tilt sensing Best in class latency Paper feel 0.1mm precision magnetic storage |
Sensors | - Ambient light sensor
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
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Security | - HW TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security
- Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
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In the box | - Surface Pro 6
- Power supply
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety and warranty documents
| - Surface Pro 7
- Power supply
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety and warranty documents
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Warranty | - One-year limited hardware warranty
- Commercial: Advanced Exchange warranty service with expedited device replacement
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More | - Mechanical features: Signature unibody magnesium design with hidden perimeter venting
- Kickstand with a full-friction multiposition hinge to 165 degrees
- Magnetic attach for keyboard fold stability
- Physical buttons: volumes, power
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Surface Pro 6 vs 7: Design and Features
Although the new Surface Pro 7 looks similar to its predecessor, it has some impressive features that make it worth considering. The most requested feature in the Surface Pro lineup, USB-C, is finally here. Even though it's not Thunderbolt 3, it's a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 that can output dual 4K displays at 60Hz and transfer data at up to 10 Gbps.
Surface Pro 7 USB-C features
In addition, the Surface Pro 7 has adopted Wi-Fi 6, which features the new Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 adapter that provides faster data transfer with less latency, reaching speeds of up to 2400 Mbps. However, you'll need a compatible Wi-Fi 6 router to take full advantage of this new technology.
Wi-Fi Adapter inside Surface Pro 7
Moreover, the Surface Pro 7 comes with an enhanced Infrared camera for quicker Windows Hello facial authentication and updated far-field microphones for clearer voice communication.
Surface Pro 7 with improved Windows Hello
Finally, the new Surface Connect+ port and the 65W Surface charger that comes with it will fast-charge your Surface Pro 7 from 0 to 50% in just around 30 minutes.
Conclusion
The latest Surface Pro 7 has a USB-C port and significantly better graphics and processing power than its predecessor, the Surface Pro 6. If you have the budget for it, Surface Pro 7 is undoubtedly a perfect choice for you. However, if you are tight on the budget, the Surface Pro 6 is still the best 2-in-1 laptop in terms of price and features, even without a USB-C port.
Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for Surface Pro 6:
Here are the most frequently requested comparisons for Surface Pro 7: