Surface Pro X Gets Firmware Update to Improve Battery Life

Microsoft’s brand-new, ARM-based Surface Pro device, the Surface Pro X, launched this week. And just a day after the launch of the device, Microsoft has started delivering firmware updates to address some of the early complaints on the device.

The new firmware update focuses on improving battery life and improving system stability.

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Here is the changelog:

  • Surface UEFI: 3.444.140.0 improves system stability.
  • Surface System Aggregator:14.57.139.0 improves battery performance.
  • Surface Pro X Integration: 20.63.139.0 improves stability when in hibernation.
  • Microsoft SQ1 Adreno 685 GPU: 26.18.800.0 improves system stability.
  • Surface Pro X Power Engine Plug-in Device:1.0.0800.0 improves system stability.

The update interestingly includes a firmware update for Microsoft’s custom SQ1 chip’s Adreno 685 GPU, which the company built in partnership with Qualcomm. If you have a Surface Pro X, have the new firmware updates led to any significant improvements in the system stability?

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Conversation 7 comments

  • anthonye1778

    07 November, 2019 - 8:05 am

    <p>I got my Pro X on the 5th, and there was a day one firmware update released that day. Before that update, the tablet was noticeably slow and erratic, but after that update, stability improved massively. I haven’t been able to test this new update yet, but any improvements to battery life are welcome since this one is a bit disappointing in that department.</p>

  • MikeCerm

    07 November, 2019 - 8:24 am

    <p>When I first read that Microsoft worked with Qualcomm to design a Snapdragon that uses as much power as an Intel CPU, I thought, "this is stupid. We already have Intel CPUs that use 7 watts, and the battery rarely lasts through the day. What is the point of an ARM CPU if the battery life is no better than what Intel can do?" And it looks like I was right. Other than the built in cell radio, a feature that matters only to the 1% who really need internet everywhere and would rather pay an extra monthly bill than have to deal with the hassle of toggling their hotspot on and off sometimes (which literally takes 2 seconds), there's no benefit at all. The regular Surface Pro performs better and gets similar runtime.</p>

    • crp0908

      07 November, 2019 - 2:18 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#487018">In reply to MikeCerm:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree. To add: Pro X has a compatibility uncertainty about it that Pro 7 does not. One takes a big chance buying a Pro X. Because of that, we would assume that its price would be affordable. But no, it's expensive. Pro X seems like a device ahead of its time only suitable for the most loyal Surface enthusiasts.</p>

    • digiguy

      Premium Member
      07 November, 2019 - 6:47 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#487018">In reply to MikeCerm:</a></em></blockquote><p>I think the mistake is not to have a 7w ARM CPU, but to put a 38wh battery inside. This is surface pro 4 size, and that was the worst battery life of any surface but the first. They should have put at least 45w like the surface pro 5/6 or even more like previous WOA devices that had up to 60wh…</p><p>LTE is a big deal for quite a few people (that fact that any ipad has a LTE variant speaks for itself). Many people have already a second SIM card (personally my second sim car shares my unlimited plan for ony $10 per month)</p>

  • ghostrider

    07 November, 2019 - 3:22 pm

    <p>Here we go again. Surface devices truly do have terrible firmware. It's likely MS will carry on fighting problems on the new Surface devices, just like all the old ones. It's just amusing that 4 of the 5 updates this time round 'improve system stability', and only one is meant to help battery life. Time will tell.</p>

  • Paul Avvento

    Premium Member
    08 November, 2019 - 10:32 am

    <p>I'm glad I wasn't deterred by the reviews, this device is actually better than I was expecting.</p>

  • mydigitalpost

    23 November, 2019 - 4:41 am

    <p>Thank you so much for providing this valuable information.</p>

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