Microsoft Surface Pro 5: 6 Expected Features Including Surface Dial, Rechargeable Surface Pen And HoloLens Support

The Microsoft Surface Pro tablet series is expected to receive an update in 2017, two years since the last update. Microsoft launched Surface Studio and Surface Book i7 at an event in October 2016 and the Surface Pro 5 is expected to complete the company’s 2016-17 Surface lineup.

The device is said to launch in April with Windows 10 Creators Update out-of-the-box, according to reports. One of the major challenges for Surface Pro 5 will be matching up to the success of its predecessor, the Surface Pro 4.

While we wait for the device to launch, here are some of its rumored features:

Windows 10 Creators Update: The upcoming update to the Windows operating system is expected to be the biggest since Windows 7. The update is expected to bring features such as a specialized Game Mode with Beam, improved privacy settings, safer web browsing and Microsoft Wallet. The Surface Pro 5 is expected to launch with the update installed, which seems to be Microsoft's way of setting it apart from other similar devices in the market.

HoloLens Support: HoloLens support was earlier reportedly not said to be included in the Surface Pro 5, since HoloLens is not a consumer device. But with the company rolling out the technology to more affordable VR headsets, the tablet is expected to offer HoloLens support.

Surface Dial: The Surface Dial accessory was showcased at Microsoft’s event in October and costs $99. It is a small Bluetooth-enabled dial, which lets users scroll and use applications such as Paintbrush seamlessly, and can also be used for third-party apps. It can be assigned functionality according to usage. While the device has been designed primarily for Surface Studio, the Surface Pro 5 is expected to get the functionality, which could act as an incentive for corporate users to invest in the tablet.

4K screen, detachable display: The Surface Pro 5 is expected to have special graphics features including a 4K detachable display, which could also help in graphics creation.

Rechargeable Surface Pen and Dock: The Surface Pro 5's stylus could be an improvement over the Surface Pro 4’s magnetic stylus. In January 2016, Patently Mobile reported that the company had applied for a patent for a rechargeable Surface Pen and dock. According to the patent application, the Surface Pen’s AAA battery might be replaced with a rechargeable one, with a functionality similar to the iPad Pro’s Apple Pen.

Kaby Lake Processor, 16GB RAM: The Surface Pro 5 is expected to be a performance-intensive tablet and come with Intel’s newest processor, the Kaby Lake, and 16GB RAM.

In addition to these features, the tablet has been previously rumored to come with USB-C support and multiple device connection capability.