Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors, Comparison to Surface Pro 4: New Device Might have Rechargeable Surface Pen

Feb 09, 2016 02:54 AM EST

Microsoft recently unveiled a new professional-level hybrid tablet --the Surface Pro 4--last October, but gadgets lovers are now curious about what would be the specifications of Surface Pro 5. Speculations about the much-awaited device are now spreading online. Now, here's the latest round-up of updates and rumors about Microsoft Surface Pro 5 features, release, and specs.

The latest rumors suggest that Microsoft might include an innovative stylus pen for the next iteration of Surface Pro hybrid.

According to a reliable article from Windows Central, the Redmond-based tech company applied for a patent for a rechargeable Surface Pen and dock. The new pen is said to be powered with a rechargeable battery from a magnetic connection.

The same source from Windows Central added the new Surface Pen can charge its batteries by just docking to a magnetic part of the upcoming Surface Pro 5. The stylus has, at least, one terminal for charging which is made from ferromagnetic material. Its magnetically attractable element serves as charging terminal to power up the batteries.

In comparison to the current-gen Surface Pro 4, its stylus pen is battery-operated, and those batteries are not rechargeable.  By improving the new Surface Pro's stylus into a rechargeable one, Microsoft hopes to increase its functionality and portability.

Furthermore, as a stylus may be easily misplaced due to its typical size and shape, the new Surface Pro pen will easily stick to the device because of its magnetic features.

For the rumored specs of Microsoft Surface Pro 5, an article from The Cubic Lane gave some interesting predictions. The new tablet will probably sport lighter body than the 1.76 lbs Surface Pro 4, making it more portable and handy than other tablets like Apple's iPad Pro. The are also expectations that the new tablet from Microsoft might have longer battery life than its previous versions.

Additionally, Microsoft might install a fingerprint scanner on Surface Pro 5. The current version of the device does not have a scanner on its body but rather on the accessory Type Cover keyboard. This feature poses a problem for gadget users who don't to carry the keyboard with the tablet.

It is also interesting to note that Microsoft garnered huge sales from the Surface devices. Forbes published that the company had 1.6 million sales from the Surface for the fourth quarter of the year 2015.

With these developments, the Redmond-based tech giant might speed up the launching of Surface Pro 5 to please their consumers with new features.  As of now, the company has not yet made any formal announcements about the launching of the device.