The Surface Pro 4 will be one of Microsoft’s most important new products that it is expected to introduce along with a bunch of other new devices on Tuesday, just in time for the Christmas shopping season. On top of the hot Surface Pro 4 – which promises some exciting features – Microsoft will likely unveil two new Windows 10 phones, including the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL handsets and a Microsoft Band 2.
Here’s what we expect from the company’s October 6th media event.
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Microsoft Band 2
Microsoft seems ready to launch a second-generation watch/fitness band. Apparently called Microsoft Band 2, the device should feature a better design than its predecessor, including a curved display and a band that also curves around the wrist. The band is expected to pack a variety of Health-related features, with rumors suggesting the device will be able to measure stair steps.
Lumia flagships
Perhaps more interesting than the Band 2 are Microsoft’s flagship Lumia smartphones – yes, they’re finally happening. Microsoft a few days ago already confirmed the devices on its website by mistakenly listing them. The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will feature high-end specs and run Windows 10 mobile complete with support for Windows Hello (Iris scan-based device unlock) and Continuum, a feature that lets you transform the smartphone into a full blown PC by connecting it to a display, mouse and keyboard.
The phones are expected to offer similar specs, with the XL version being the larger option of the two. In a way, the 950/950 XL will be Microsoft’s response to Apple’s iPhone 6s and Google’s new Nexuses.
The phones will respectively pack 5.2-inch and 5.7-inch OLED screens with 2K resolution, Snapdragon 808/810 processors, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, microSD support up to 2TB, 20-megapixel PureView cameras with triple LED flashes, 5-megapixel wide-angle front-facing cameras, iris scanners, 3,000/3,000 mAh batteries with wireless charging and rapid charge technology, and USB Type-C connectivity.
Surface Pro 4 tablets
Microsoft is expected to announce a fresh laptop/tablet combo that will feature a unique design, at least according to a recent leak. The device will have a bigger display with resolution going as high as 5K with thinner bezels. Rumors suggest that in laptop mode the device will have a 13-inch screen while in tablet mode it’ll have a 12-inch screen, thanks to a new smart frame feature meant to prevent accidental taps on the screen when the device is held as a tablet.
The 13-inch model is expected to be lighter and thinner than the predecessor. On top of that, a 14-inch model might also be in the making, with Microsoft expected to unveil it during the same event.
Rumored specs for the Surface Pro 4 models include Intel Skylake processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of flash storage, at least for the 14-inch version. Microsoft is expected to have various options for buyers when it comes to RAM and storage, especially for the smaller model.
As for other unique features, the 13-inch Surface Pro 4 might ship with a fingerprint reader on the Surface Type cover rather than an iris scanner, though the 14-inch model might also have an iris scanner on board that would support Windows Hello. A new stylus is also in order and Microsoft is expected to produce new accessories for the new tablet/laptop versions, though the 13-inch Surface Pro 4 should also work with existing Type Cover accessories.
Microsoft’s event takes place on October 6th at 10 a.m. EST, and we’ll be here to bring you all the details about the company’s new announcements.
