What changed
Microsoft announced the second-edition Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch on September 23, 2026. The Pro became available from October 13, 2026, in select markets. In the US store, the base configuration pairs a six-core Snapdragon X2 Plus with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of UFS storage for $1,149.99. 512 GB versions are listed at $1,249.99, and 24 GB/512 GB models at $1,449.99. Store prices change, so check before you buy.
The review's main point is about the display. On paper, nothing moved. It is still a 12-inch, 3:2 IPS touchscreen at 2196 × 1464 and 90 Hz. Notebookcheck says the panel ID is different, though. The new unit carries a Sharp LQ120P1JX51, and the earlier Surface Pro 12 used a BOE panel (NE120DRM-N28 in the comparison table).
The measurements
Notebookcheck's CalMAN and X-Rite results put the two panels side by side.
| Measurement | Surface Pro 12 (2026), Sharp | Previous Surface Pro 12, BOE |
|---|---|---|
| Average brightness | about 512 nits | about 484 nits |
| Black level | 0.44 cd/m² | 0.24 cd/m² |
| Contrast | 1220:1 | 2021:1 |
| Response, grey to grey | 41.8 ms | 35.1 ms |
| Response, black to white | 20 ms | 15.1 ms |
These are Notebookcheck's lab figures, not Microsoft's published specs. The new panel is a little brighter, but its black level is almost double. That cuts measured contrast by about 40%. Response times are also slower. The reviewer saw visible ghosting even in 90 Hz mode.
It isn't a bad screen overall. Notebookcheck reports very accurate grayscale and color, with a Delta E of 0.7 for ColorChecker and 1.2 for grayscale. It measured 97.7% sRGB coverage and found no PWM flicker. The panel is still very reflective.
Why a 90 Hz screen can still ghost
Refresh rate and pixel response are separate things. A panel can redraw 90 times a second, but if the liquid crystals take 40 ms to settle, moving content still smears. Notebookcheck rates the grey-to-grey result as worse than the average of all devices it has tested. Its black-to-white result is close to average. The reviewer says the screen may be too slow for competitive gamers.
For office work, browsing, note-taking and photo review, this will matter little. Anyone sensitive to smearing when scrolling or inking, or who plays fast games, may notice it. The lower contrast mostly shows up in dark scenes and dim rooms.
Battery and performance
Notebookcheck says the new screen seems to shave a little off runtime. It measured up to 14 hours in a Wi-Fi test at 150 nits and 8 hours at maximum brightness. The review says that is about 40 minutes less than the earlier model. Notebookcheck treats this as a slight effect and still calls the results good.
Microsoft's own claims come from different tests. Microsoft says its testing was done in August 2026 on preproduction software and devices. Don't treat Microsoft's figures and Notebookcheck's as a like-for-like contradiction.
The chip trade-off is mixed:
- The six-core Snapdragon X2 Plus gives better single-core and graphics performance. In Notebookcheck's Geekbench 6.7 runs it scored 3231 single-core against 2442 for the earlier model.
- It is slower in multi-core work than the eight-core Snapdragon X1 Plus. Cinebench 2024 multi-core shows 427 points against 554.
- Notebookcheck calls it the slowest X2 chip it has tested, but still good enough for everyday use despite passive cooling.
Hardware notes
- Weight is 688 g, with a 38 Wh battery and Windows 11 Home on the tested unit.
- It has two USB-C ports with power delivery and DisplayPort. They are not USB4. Notebookcheck ran a 4K screen at 144 Hz without trouble.
- It has Wi-Fi 7 and no 5G option on the reviewed model. Microsoft's business listing does show an optional 5G variant, so the business SKU may differ.
- RAM and SSD are not serviceable. There is no card reader or 3.5 mm jack, and no power adapter is included.
Who should care
Notebookcheck's verdict is that the new model is still unrivaled as a fanless Windows device, but the screen is a small downgrade. It suggests the old model may be the better choice while stock lasts. That is the reviewer's view, and it depends on what you value:
- Choose the old model if you care about contrast and motion clarity more than newer silicon, and you can find one at a good price.
- Choose the new model if you want faster single-core responsiveness, stronger graphics and the newer NPU, and you won't notice the screen difference.
- Be cautious about assumptions. Notebookcheck tested one unit, and its own table notes that manufacturers can mix panel suppliers. Other 2026 units could use a different panel.
Bottom line
Matching resolution and refresh rate don't guarantee the same screen. If display quality matters to you, look for measurements of the specific panel. Spec sheets alone won't tell you which one you're getting.