Surface Pro 7 vs Surface Pro 6: which one is the best option for your needs? We break down the key differences to help you decide.
The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Pro 6 are two of the most popular tablets on the market. But with so many similarities and differences between the two, it can be difficult to decide which one is the right choice for you.
In this blog post, we’ll be comparing the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Pro 6 in terms of performance, features, and value for money to help you make an informed decision.
Surface Pro 7
As a mid-generation update to the original Surface Pro 7, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ improves both performance and the user experience. While it wasn’t the most exciting device announced last year, it’s worth considering in 2022.It’s worth noting that while Surface devices are popular among creatives (particularly those who prefer Windows over IOS), the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ is actually designed for business professionals and enterprise customers, like Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Studio, and is marketed as such, though it’s easy to buy as a consumer.
The new Surface Pro 7 has a faster processor, a detachable SSD, and built-in LTE (Long-Term Evolution) on some variants. It also has better graphics and battery life.
What we like
- 10th Gen Intel Core processors and LPDDR4x RAM are used to improve performance.
- USB-C port for more ways to connect.
- Can be used with Type Covers from the past.
- Touch screen with a high resolution and the same slim design.
- Wi-Fi 6 lets you connect.
What we don't like
- Pro 6 might cost much more high-end models.
Surface Pro 6
What we like
- Could still find cheaper bundles and refurbished products.
- Basically the same design as the Pro 7.
- Same high-resolution touch screen.
What we don't like
- No port for USB-C.
- No way to connect to Wi-Fi 6.
Surface Pro 7 vs Surface Pro 6: Display
Comparing the Surface Pro 6 and 7 shows more commonality. The Surface Pro 7 came out a year after the last version, and if you were hoping for a big change in the way it looked, you would have been disappointed. Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7 have 12.3-inch panels with 2,736 x 1,824 resolutions.
With 267 pixels per inch (PPI), the high-resolution panels, which Microsoft calls “PixelSense,” have great picture quality. Both have sharp, clean images. 3:2 is taller than 16:9, but it gives you more vertical space.
Therefore, in terms of screen, Surface Pro 6 vs Surface Pro 7 is a tie, so if you can still get a Surface Pro 6 at a lower price, go for that. The Surface Pro 8, released two years after the Surface Pro 7, offers more of an update. The new tablet includes a slightly larger 13-inch screen and an ambient color sensor that adjusts to room light. That may be enough of an upgrade to have some spend more, especially with discounts. The Surface Pro 9 screen matches the Pro 8.
The Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7 seem identical, yet they operate differently. The latter performs better and has more choices, so you may choose the perfect power for your needs and budget.
The Surface Pro 6 only offers 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM and an 8th-generation Intel Core i5-8250U or i7-8650U. This device runs Windows 10 and creative apps well and can be upgraded to Windows 11. With a choice of 10th-generation Intel Core i3-1005G1, Core i5-1035G4, or Core i7-1065G7 CPUs, the Surface Pro 7 has an advantage. These are more powerful and power-efficient than 8th-generation processors, giving you better performance and longer battery life. If you don’t need i5 or i7 power, the Core i3 model is cheaper.
The Surface Pro 7 offers 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of LPDDR4X memory, which is faster than the Pro 6. Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro 7 is 2.3 times faster than the Surface Pro 6, but we don’t think the difference is that noticeable. Microsoft also claims that the Surface Pro 8 is 46% faster than the 7, and that the Surface Pro 9’s 12th-gen Intel CPU delivers 50% better performance than the 8. The Surface Pro 6 and 7 are now far behind in performance.
For video editors and 3D modelers, the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7 lack specialized graphics cards. Instead, they use the Surface Pro 6’s Intel UHD Graphics 620 and the Surface Pro 7’s Intel Iris Plus.
Winner: Tie
Surface Pro 6 vs 7: Performance
The Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7 seem identical, yet they operate differently. The latter performs better and has more choices, so you may choose the perfect power for your needs and budget.
The Surface Pro 6 only supports 8GB or 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM and an 8th-generation Intel Core i5-8250U or i7-8650U. This device runs Windows 10 and creative apps well and can be upgraded to Windows 11. With a choice of 10th-generation Intel Core i3-1005G1, Core i5-1035G4, or Core i7-1065G7 CPUs, the Surface Pro 7 has an advantage. These are more powerful and power-efficient than 8th-generation processors, giving you better performance and longer battery life. If you don’t need i5 or i7 power, the Core i3 model is cheaper.
The Surface Pro 7 offers 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of LPDDR4X memory, which is faster than the Pro 6. Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro 7 is 2.3 times faster than the Surface Pro 6, but we don’t think the difference is that noticeable. Microsoft also claims that the Surface Pro 8 is 46% faster than the 7, and that the Surface Pro 9’s 12th-gen Intel CPU delivers 50% better performance than the 8. The Surface Pro 6 and 7 are now far behind in performance.
For video editors and 3D modelers, the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7 lack specialized graphics cards. Instead, they use the Surface Pro 6’s Intel UHD Graphics 620 and the Surface Pro 7’s Intel Iris Plus.
Winner: Surface Pro 7.
Surface Pro 7 vs Surface Pro 6: Design
Design-wise, the Surface Pro 6 and 7 are similar. They’re comparable (the same goes for the Surface Pro 7 Plus). 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5mm). The Surface Pro 7’s broad bezels made it look antiquated when it was released, while competitors were shrinking their bezels and giving it a more stylish design. The Surface Pro 8 has reduced bezels and a larger display, improving this again.
The Surface Pro 6 weighs 1.7 pounds (771 g), and the Surface Pro 7 weighs 1.73 pounds (784 g). Both devices use the Surface Pen stylus and have detachable Type Covers that can be used as laptops. The Type Covers are sold separately, but sometimes bundles are cheaper.
Both devices have full-size USB-A connections, 3.5mm audio ports, and microSD card readers. Photographers appreciate the ability to plug in memory cards without an adapter. Both have Bluetooth.
Mini DisplayPort distinguishes the Surface Pro 6. The Surface Pro 7 has a USB-C 3.1 port instead. This allows for more modern peripherals and faster data transfer. USB-C beats Mini DisplayPort every time. The Surface Pro 8 includes two Thunderbolt 4 connectors, while the Surface Pro 7 Plus does not. The Surface Pro 9, without a headphone port, keeps those.
Winner: The Surface Pro 7 wins again, but the new Surface Pro 8 is better.
Surface Pro 7 vs Surface Pro 6: Battery Life
The Surface Pro 7’s upgraded hardware should improve power efficiency and battery life. Microsoft says that the Surface Pro 6 has a longer battery life, even though the two devices were measured in different ways. Microsoft claims 13.5 hours of “movie playback” and 10.5 hours of “normal device usage” for the Surface Pro 6 and Pro 7.
Microsoft’s comparisons are misleading because playing videos and “normal device usage” are different. We tested the Surface Pro 6 with a looped 1080p video for 8 hours and 45 minutes. The PC Mark 8 battery life test, which simulates video calling, lasted four hours.
The Surface Pro 7 performed worse, with 6 hours and 2 minutes in our video test and 3 hours and 12 minutes in PCMark 8. Amazingly, the Surface Pro 6 has better battery life. The Surface Pro 8’s battery has increased to 50.4 watt-hours from 43.2 watt-hours. In our experiments, image editing and video conferencing lasted over eight hours. The Surface Pro 9 performs somewhat worse than the 8.
Winner: Surface Pro 6.
Surface Pro 6 vs Surface Pro 7: Price
The Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7 are available in a range of configurations to suit your demands and budget. If you’re on a budget, you can modify either Surface to have less powerful processors or less storage capacity.
Its base configuration costs $899. That’s a high price, but the Surface Pro 7, Pro 7 Plus, and Surface Pro 8 have lowered pricing. It’s usually the cheapest option, and if it’s still in stock, you can get it for $600.
The Surface Pro 7 arrived with a reduced base configuration price of $749 and more power. Only accessible to college and business clients, the Surface Pro 7+ costs $899.99. See our Surface Pro 7 deals guide for the best pricing.
And the Surface Pro 8? It costs $1,099. It costs more than its predecessors, but it has a better display and better performance, and there have been many discounts since the Surface Pro 9’s release. The 128GB Core i5 SSD The Surface Pro 9 starts at $999 in the US. That setup isn’t accessible in the UK. $1,099 buys the universal Core i5 256 GB configuration.
The Type Cover and Surface Pen cost $149 and $99, respectively, so you’ll need to factor those into the bill. See the cheapest pricing on all changes In the surface 7 pro in your region in the widgets below, or scroll down for our judgment.
Winner: Surface Pro 6.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Specs
Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro 7 is 2.3 times faster than its predecessor, so expect a lot more power from the new 2-in-1.
There are three distinct processors available for the new model. The first is a dual-core Intel Core i3 from the latest generation, followed by a quad-core i5 and a hexa-core i7 from the same generation. Both the Intel UHD Graphics chip found in the Core i3 variant and the Intel Iris Plus Graphics chip found in the Core i5 and Core i7 variants have support for these features.
Both the Core i5 and Core i7 processors in the Surface Pro 6 are from an older 9th generation, and both use the Intel UHD Graphics 620 graphics chip.
Unlike its predecessor, the Surface Pro 7 includes a USB-C port in addition to the Surface Connect port, USB-A port, microSD card, Mini DisplayPort, and headphone jack. The newer Surface Pro 7 and Pro 8 have USB-C ports, making them more compatible with modern devices and displays, however the earlier Surface Pro 6 does not.
Winner: Surface Pro 7.
Surface Pro 7 vs Surface Pro 6: Storage and Memory
Similar but not identical storage and memory capacities can be found in the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 7.
There are four SSD variants available for the Surface Pro 7 from Microsoft. You may increase the base 128GB of storage to 256GB, 512GB, or even 1TB if you so want. Depending on your requirements, you can upgrade your RAM from the default 4GB to 8GB or 16GB.
The Surface Pro 6 from Microsoft is available with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM. Yet it still offers the same storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Winner: Tie
Best Alternative: Microsoft Surface Pro 8
The Surface 8 Pro’s gaming performance is mediocre, and the device’s battery life falls short of Microsoft’s expectations. The Surface Slim Pen 2 and other Surface Pro accessories are well worth the investment, but they are not included in the price of the computer itself.
Although it has certain flaws, Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 is a worthwhile upgrade from the Surface Pro 7.
Surface Pro 7 vs Surface Pro 6: Final Thoughts
Is the Surface Pro 7 a significant upgrade? No. The Surface Pro 7’s newest, more powerful components don’t improve performance. The Surface Pro 7 looks like the Surface Pro 6. The old tablet even lasts longer. If it’s considerably cheaper than that of the Surface Pro 7, we’d buy it to save money.
If you want something more groundbreaking, try paying a little more for the Surface Pro 8. After a longer period, Microsoft’s next Surface Pro is a considerably bigger leap forward. Its higher specifications, larger display, and removable SSD make it a better gadget overall.
For photo editing and other creative work, the Surface Pro 8 is the superior Surface Pro to buy today, especially if you desire one of the higher configurations. The Surface Pro 6 versus Surface Pro 7 comparison is intriguing because these tablets are getting more frequent and deeper discounts (and remember that you’ll need to buy a keyboard and stylus separately, which adds to the cost). Since these gadgets were released closer together, there’s less of a distinction.
You may want to read our review on The Best iPads Of 2022
