A tablet with detachable keyboard was the original product in the Surface range, but it wasn’t until 2018 that Microsoft 2-in-1s became genuinely affordable.

That’s when the first Surface Go arrived, making it one of the cheapest devices to run a full version of Windows. That’s continued across two subsequent iterations, although the Surface Go 3 was one of the less exciting products Microsoft released in 2021. Aside from a processor upgrade, running Windows 11 out of the box was the only other change of note.

But after skipping 2022 entirely, it looks like we’ll be seeing a Surface Go 4 before 2023 is out. Here’s everything you need to know.

When will the Surface Go 4 be released?

There hasn’t been a new Surface Go since 2021, but it’d be a big surprise for another full year to pass without a Go 3 successor. Unless Microsoft is planning to ditch the line entirely, although there’s no evidence for this.

As to when in the year we can expect it, Microsoft’s usual slot in September or October is most likely. It was initially rumoured to arrive in April or May, but Windows Central’s Zac Bowden says this has now been “punted into the second half of the year”, alongside the Surface Laptop Studio 2.

The recent layoffs at Microsoft are thought to have contributed, with Bowden acknowledging in a January 2023 video that these could have an effect on the Surface release schedule.

For context, here’s when the previous generations of Surface Go were released:

• Surface Go 3 – October 2021
• Surface Go 2 – May 2020
• Surface Go – August 2018

How much will the Surface Go 4 cost?

We have no idea how much Microsoft is planning to sell the Surface Go 4 for. However, it’s remained relatively consistent with Surface Go pricing so far:

• Surface Go 3 – from ?369/US$399.99
• Surface Go 2 – from ?399/US$399.99
• Surface Go – from ?379/US$399.99

If Microsoft does decide to make big changes for the Surface Go 4, it could get significantly more expensive. The may include the rumoured move to a Qualcomm chip, even if Intel models are also available.

Remember, the crucial Type Cover will probably continue to be sold separately. The latest version will usually set you back at least an extra
?99.99/
US$99.99, or more if you’d prefer an Alcantara finish.

What specs and new features will the Surface Go 4 have?

The Surface Go 4 isn’t expected until next year.There aren’t many concrete rumours right now, but we still have a fairly good idea of what to expect.

One change we’re almost certain to see comes under the hood. The Go 3 arrived just a couple of months before Intel revealed its 12th-gen mobile CPUs at CES. Prior to any rumours, it seemed likely that the Go 4 would be powered by Alder Lake, although it may be 13th-gen Raptor Lake by the time the device is released.

But will Microsoft make the move to an ARM-based Qualcomm chip instead? In a July 2022 video, Windows Central’s Zac Bowden describes it as “pretty likely”, but “not 100% confirmed yet”, going on to say that it’s something Microsoft is considering internally. In a March 2023 Windows Central video, he suggested it could replace the Intel Pentium chip on entry-level models will be replaced with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c or 7c Gen 2.

However, Bowden says “there will likely still be Intel SKUs” on high-end models and for business users. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be from the latest Raptor Lake range, with the Surface Go not always using Intel’s latest silicon.

Moving to ARM should help benefit battery life, improving Microsoft’s claims of up to 11 hours on a single charge. However, the battery depleted much faster during our review testing, so hopefully the 28Wh capacity is increased too.

The Surface Go 2 increased the display from 10in to 10.5in without changing the total footprint of the device, but that’s the only design change we’ve seen. Thinner bezels could allow Microsoft to fit an 11in display here, but it may be reluctant to make a budget device look just as good as the premium Surface Pro. Indeed, Zac Bowden says “I wouldn’t expect any real design changes to it”.

That’s why it’s also unlikely we’ll see the Go 4 move to a high refresh rate display possible if we do see a price increase. Either way, the 1920×1080 PixelSense (LCD) display probably won’t change – it’s plenty detailed for most people buying the Surface Go.

Business versions of the Surface Go 3 have optional support for 4G LTE. That’ll probably stay the same for the Go 4, despite the Surface Pro 9 having made the move to 5G on some models.

One of our main frustrations with the Go 3 was its lack of ports. There’s just one USB-C, one microSD and Surface Connect for charging. It would be nice to see at least one more USB-C port (potentially with Thunderbolt 4 support), alongside USB-A and maybe a 3.5mm headphone jack. That may increase the thickness of the device, but it would be a worthwhile trade-off.

We’ll update this page once more is revealed about the Surface Go 4. In the meantime, you may be interested in similar articles on the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5.

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