Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to introduce a new line of Surface PCs in 2026, featuring AMD’s forthcoming Arm-based chip, codenamed Sound Wave. This information has emerged from a credible source within the AMD community, known as KeplerL2, who shared insights on NeoGaf, indicating that Sound Wave is specifically designed for the upcoming Microsoft Surface lineup.
Details on the Sound Wave Chip
While details about the new Surface devices remain scarce, the specifications of the Sound Wave chip offer a glimpse into the potential capabilities of these future products. The chip is anticipated to be an APU housing six CPU cores—two dedicated to performance and four focused on efficiency—alongside an integrated GPU featuring four compute units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture. Notably, the design is tailored for devices operating within a modest thermal envelope of 5-10W.
This choice of chip raises intriguing questions about Microsoft’s direction, especially considering the competitive landscape. The Sound Wave chip may suggest a strategy aimed at creating a low-powered Surface PC, possibly aligning with a refresh of the Surface Go or Surface Hub models. Such a move could cater to users seeking efficiency without sacrificing performance.
In parallel, the market is witnessing similar developments from other tech giants. NVIDIA is rumored to be launching its own Arm-based Windows PC chip next year, while Qualcomm is set to unveil its next-generation Snapdragon X2 this September. The Snapdragon X2 is expected to power flagship models like the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8, anticipated to debut this fall.
If the reports hold true, it will mark the first time since the Surface Laptop 4 that Microsoft will incorporate an AMD processor into its Surface lineup. However, the specific devices targeted for the Sound Wave chip remain to be seen. Given the current information, it appears likely that Microsoft is focusing on low-powered options.
Recently, the company introduced new models, including a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop, which serve as more affordable alternatives to the flagship Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7. These latest devices are powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, which, based on leaked specifications, may outperform the upcoming AMD Sound Wave chip.
