Microsoft Surface Pro 8 rumors: Device could feature kickstand mounted speakers, solar-powered battery charging style cover

Microsoft is expected to release the Surface Pro 8 to refresh its Pro series this year. Here are some of the rumors about the upcoming tablet.

Surface Pro 8 specs

While Microsoft has not made any announcement about the gadget’s specs, the Surface Pro 8 might sport a newer chip, according to Tech Radar. It might be equipped with Intel’s 11-generation chip known as “Tiger Lake” but that possibility will only happen if the chip is already ready by the time Pro 8 goes into production.

The Pro 7 has a USB-C port but some are hopeful that the Surface Pro 8 might be upgraded to have a Thunderbolt 3 port. The gadget might also get an upgrade in terms of battery life.

Surface Pro 8 features

One of the exciting features that the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 might have is a solar panel integrated into its type cover. According to Tech Advisor, the rumored feature came out when WindowsLatest spotted a patent for the design. However, the idea of a solar-powered charging seems debatable since most laptop owners are not expected to work outdoors.

The tablet might also feature speakers that are mounted into its kickstand. The idea is to use the area between the tablet and the kickstand as a resonance chamber, a speaker enclosure that will make its audio a bit louder for the listener.

Surface Pro Price

Again, no word has been put forth by the company regarding the pricing of the upcoming tablet but that’s not stopping some from making their own speculations. Based on the Surface Pro series’ history, entry-level models of the line are generally priced between $799 and $999, while high-end versions are usually priced at around $2,299.

Tech Radar expects the upcoming Microsoft Surface Pro 8 to follow the same pricing scheme. However, the price might end up a bit higher should Microsoft decide to do a major design overhaul or introduce RAM and storage upgrades.

Another feature that could end up jacking up the Surface Pro 8 price higher is the type cover. The cheapest one for the Pro 7 costs $129.99 while a higher-end version is offered for $159.99. But if the rumor about a solar-power cover with integrated speakers is correct, the new type cover might be priced significantly higher than current models.

Surface Pro 8 release date

The current Pro 7 was introduced in October 2019 and the Pro X a month after. Considering that models in the Pro series are usually updated every year, fans might expect the Surface Pro 8 to be released by late 2020.