Microsoft could launch new Surface devices later this fall

We could be seeing new Surface hardware, including a "Microsoft Band 3", before the end of the year. Intel's Kaby Lake-based Surface devices expected in 2017.

Surface Book during the Windows 10 Devices event NYC
VP of Microsoft Surface Panos Panay speaks on stage at Windows 10 Devices Event, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 in New York, New York. (Mark Von Holden/AP Images for AP Images for Windows)

Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to introduce “some” new Surface products before the end of 2016. According to a new report from Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet, reliable sources say that we’ll see at least one new device carrying the Surface brand before the end of the year.

It’s been previously suggested that Microsoft is postponing any hardware release until the roll out of “Redstone 2”, which is scheduled to land in early 2017. This is the second major update for Windows 10 that follows the Anniversary Update arriving on August 2nd. However, the information points out that any kind of hardware launch for spring 2017 is no longer in the company’s plans.

According to the report, Microsoft is planning to host a hardware event — similar to the previous Windows 10 Devices event — during fall 2016 timeframe. At this event the company could be launching a new hardware refresh for its Surface line. However, there are still a lot of unanswered questions. We still don’t know what kind of hardware Microsoft is planning to launch. It could easily be a “Surface 4”, as we now know that the production for the Surface 3 has already stopped.

Recent rumors also indicate that the company is close to release a “Microsoft Band 3”, as many users are having a lot issues with the current version of the fitness tracker, such as the band splitting and tearing. Perhaps, we may see a new iteration of the band this year. Maybe even a fitness tracker running Windows 10, as we know that the Band 2 runs a custom firmware.

Will Microsoft be launching a “Surface Pro 5” or “Surface Book 2” in 2016?

This is very unlikely. These new devices depend on the availability of Intel’s Kaby Lake processors, which will be coming next year, as such these new iteration of Surface may not be available until holiday 2017.

How about the Surface Phone?

Then there is the “Surface Phone”, which we know is a device in development. Microsoft will be aiming this new handset carrying the Surface brand for business customers, and it’s likely the new phone will use ARM, instead of Intel processors.

In addition, the new Surface phone won’t be a device that Microsoft plans to put in the market to compete against consumer’s phones from Apple and Android.

And the Surface AiO?

Microsoft is also rumored to be developing an iMac killer also carrying the Surface brand. Current information suggests that it’s an all-in-one PC running Windows 10 with an elegant design for the living room. But similar to the new line of Surface devices, the Surface AiO will heavily depend on the availability of the new 14-nanometer Kady Lake processor from Intel.

Seeing that many of the new devices depend on new hardware coming later next year and the release of Windows 10 “Redstone 2”, Microsoft could be simply planning to launch some new Surface hardware, and making the event focus on new Windows 10 devices from partners.

While this information has been building up for quite sometime, and rumors come from reliable sources, we have to keep in mind that Microsoft hasn’t officially announced anything. As such, plans can always change.

What device would like to see this year from Microsoft? Tell us in the comments below.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.