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Microsoft Surface Pro 12″ (1st Edition) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 13″ (12th Edition)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MicrosoftSurface Pro 12″ (1st Edition)MicrosoftSurface Pro 13″ (12th Edition)
Overview
ReleasedMay 2025June 2026
Display
Screen size12″13″
Resolution2196 × 14642880 × 1920
Sharpness220 pixels per inch266 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Refresh rate90 Hz120 Hz
Brightness400 nits600 nits
HDR peak brightness–600 nits
Display type12-inch PixelSense LCD, 3:2 aspect ratio; rounded corners, 12 inches measured as a rectangle13-inch PixelSense Flow display, LCD on Snapdragon X2 Plus models or OLED on Snapdragon X2 Elite models; 3:2 aspect ratio; rounded corners, 13 inches measured as a rectangle
Pixel density220 ppi267 ppi
Brightness detail400 nits maximum (typical); 1,200:1 contrastLCD: 600 nits SDR (typical), 600 nits HDR peak, 1,300:1 contrast. OLED: 600 nits SDR (typical), 900 nits HDR peak, 1,000,000:1 contrast
Display featuresRefresh rate up to 90 Hz (60 Hz by default); sRGB and Enhanced colour profiles; individually colour-calibrated; adaptive colour and contrast; 10-point multi-touch; strengthened glassDynamic refresh up to 120 Hz; sRGB and Vivid colour profiles, plus HDR mode; Dolby Vision IQ; individually colour-calibrated; adaptive colour and contrast; auto colour management; 10-point multi-touch; strengthened glass
Performance
ChipSnapdragon X PlusSnapdragon X2 Plus or X2 Elite
Memory8 GB – 16 GB16 GB – 64 GB
Storage256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
CPUSnapdragon X Plus with 8 cores (X1P-42-100); passively cooled, with no fan (Notebookcheck); LPDDR5x RAM; UFS storage on the motherboard (not removable)Snapdragon X2 Plus with 10 cores in LCD models (sold in the UK with 16 GB and 256 or 512 GB, or 24 GB and 512 GB); Snapdragon X2 Elite with 12 cores (X2E-78-100, per Notebookcheck) in OLED models (16 GB and 512 GB or 1 TB, 24 GB and 512 GB, or 32 or 64 GB and 1 TB); LPDDR5x RAM; removable Gen 4 SSD
GPUQualcomm Adreno GPUQualcomm Adreno GPU (Adreno X2-85 on the X2 Elite, per Notebookcheck)
AI engineQualcomm Hexagon NPU, 45 TOPSQualcomm Hexagon NPU, 80 TOPS
Cameras
Rear camera10 MP10 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera2 MP3.6 MP
Rear camera10 MP Ultra HD10 MP Ultra HD
Front cameraFull HD (1080p) Surface Studio Camera, 2 MP (Notebookcheck); Windows Studio Effects (automatic framing, portrait blur, creative filters, eye contact, portrait light); separate Windows Hello face cameraQuad HD (1440p) Surface Studio Camera with an ultrawide field of view, 3.6 MP (Notebookcheck); Windows Studio Effects (automatic framing, portrait blur, creative filters, eye contact, portrait light); separate Windows Hello face camera
Video recordingUp to 4K–
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 16 hoursUp to 15.5 hours
Battery capacity38 Wh47 Wh
Mobile data optionNoNo
StylusSupported, sold separatelySupported, sold separately
Keyboard made for itYesYes
Battery life detailUp to 16 hours of local video playback or 12 hours of web use; 38 Wh nominal (37 Wh minimum)Up to 15.5 hours of local video playback or 11.5 hours of web use; 47 Wh nominal (46 Wh minimum) with the LCD, 53 Wh nominal (51 Wh minimum) with the OLED
ChargingUSB-C, at least 27 W; fast charging with a 45 W or higher USB-C PD charger, up to 80% in about an hour; no charger in the UK box (Surface 45W USB-C Wall Charger sold separately)USB-C or Surface Connect; at least 39 W, and 60 W or more for fast charging; no charger in the UK box (Surface 65W Power Supply sold separately)
USB-CTwo USB-C ports with USB 3.2, for charging, data and DisplayPort 1.4a; one external display up to 5120 × 2880 at 60 Hz, or two 4K displays at 60 HzTwo USB-C ports with USB4, for charging, data and DisplayPort 1.4a; one external display up to 5120 × 2880 at 60 Hz or 3840 × 2160 at 120 Hz, or up to three 4K displays at 60 Hz; Surface Connect port
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (6 GHz band not available in all regions)Wi-Fi 7 (6 GHz band not available in all regions)
BluetoothBluetooth 5.4, with Bluetooth LE AudioBluetooth 5.4, with Bluetooth LE Audio
Stylus supportSurface Slim Pen, sold separately; haptic feedback; Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP); stores and charges wirelessly on the back of the tabletSurface Slim Pen (2nd Edition), sold separately; tactile signals; Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP); stored and charged in the Surface Pro 13-inch Flex Keyboard or Keyboard with pen storage
KeyboardsSurface Pro 12-inch Keyboard only; the 13-inch Surface Pro keyboards aren't compatibleSurface Pro 13-inch Flex Keyboard, Surface Pro 13-inch Keyboard (with or without pen storage); also works with the Surface Pro Signature, Surface Pro X Signature and Surface Pro X keyboards
Design
Weight686 g895 g
Thickness7.8 mm9.3 mm
Height × width274 × 190 mm287 × 209 mm
Operating systemWindowsWindows
BiometricsWindows Hello face recognitionWindows Hello face recognition
Speakers2 W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos2 W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
MicrophonesDual Studio Mics with enhanced voice focusDual Studio Mics with enhanced voice focus
SensorsAmbient colour sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometerAmbient colour sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer
MaterialsAnodised aluminium; 82.9% recycled content in the enclosure, including 100% recycled aluminium alloy; kickstand with a 165° full-friction hingeAnodised aluminium; 86% recycled content in the enclosure, including 100% recycled aluminium alloy; kickstand with a 165° full-friction hinge
ColoursPlatinum, Violet, Ocean (the UK Microsoft Store now sells Platinum only)Platinum, Black, Dune
Software at launchWindows 11 HomeWindows 11 Home
In the boxSurface Pro, USB-C charging cable, Quick Start Guide, safety and warranty documents (no charger in the UK)Surface Pro, Quick Start Guide, safety and warranty documents (no power supply)

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