14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will unveil its new Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 during the company’s hardware event tomorrow, and in addition to these new models, the software giant might actually come up with something totally unexpected as well.
It’s a wireless charger for Surface models, which in turn is a hint that Microsoft could bring such capabilities to at least one new Surface to be announced on October 2.
As per this report, the wireless charger has recently received FCC certification, with the spec sheet suggesting it has a 5Vdc power rating with 200mA. Interestingly, the charger is supposed to offer three different charging modes, namely 10% load, 50% load, and full load.
Of course, no other specifics are available for the time being, but all of these seem to be suggesting that Microsoft is working on adding wireless charging to its Surface lineup and therefore a dedicated charger is required.
Wireless charging on at least one Surface
As for what Surface model could get wireless charging, I’m betting on the new ARM model.
Microsoft will release a new ARM-powered Surface tomorrow in an attempt to insist for Windows 10 on ARM. This device will offer enhanced portability and battery life, and the wireless charger could make it even more convenient to recharge the device.
Most likely, this Surface Pro with an ARM chip could be positioned as a more powerful rival to the iPad Pro, so the addition of wireless charging capabilities helps Microsoft score an important win in this race.
Microsoft could also take the wraps off a Surface Go upgrade at the October 2 event, albeit it’s highly unlikely that the wireless charger would work with this model.
Most likely, the wireless charger will be sold separately for the device that supports it, with Microsoft possibly bringing such capabilities to more Surface models in the coming years.