Microsoft Surface Headphones 2+ could launch alongside Surface Laptop 4

Microsoft Surface Headphones 2+ could launch alongside Surface Laptop iv

(Paradigm credit: Regan Coule/Tom's Guide)

Microsoft'southward next round of product reveals could include the Microsoft Surface Headphones two+, an updated and more professionally-minded version of the Surface Headphones ii.

While this new set up of over-ear headphones is not equally heavily leaked as other upcoming products, similar the Microsoft Surface Pro viii and Microsoft Surface Laptop iv, Windows Cardinal reported that it'southward in the works and volition be "Teams Certified" for ameliorate functioning with Microsoft's videoconferencing software.

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For the most part, the Surface Headphones two Plus will largely match the existing Surface Headphones 2 design. That apparently includes removable ear cushions, though Windows Cardinal reported that Microsoft volition actually sell replacement cushions — for all previous Surface Headphones models, you could merely get new cushions with a warranty merits.

The biggest potential change is a switch from Bluetooth connectivity to a dedicated USB dongle. That's according to regular Microsoft tipster Brad Sams, who tweeted that the Surface Headphones 2 Plus will include a dongle that will make information technology "Teams Certified." Presumably, this would grant the new model better audio quality and/or a more reliable connection than Bluetooth 5.0, which the Surface Headphones 2 uses.

Surface Headphones will come with a dongle that doesn't employ BT...since it is trash...and that lets it exist "Teams Certified"April ii, 2021

Encounter more than

Microsoft may exist trying the same approach here as information technology did with the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+: upgrading an existing design to better suit professional users, while leaving the door open for more ambitious follow-ups (like the Surface Pro 8) downward the line.

That said, the Surface Pro 7+ fabricated a range of significant changes, like adding replaceable storage and upgrading battery chapters. By comparison, the Surface Headphones 2+ changing its wireless connection method might non show a compelling enough reason for existing Surface Headphones owners to switch.

Hopefully, Microsoft volition reveal its imminent hardware plans soon, so we tin can know for sure. Windows Cardinal expects at to the lowest degree the Surface Headphones 2+ and Surface Laptop 4 to break cover this Leap, so it could only exist a few weeks.

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James joined Tom's Guide in 2020, bringing years of feel in consumer tech and product testing. Every bit Sound Editor, James covers headphones, speakers, soundbars and anything else that intentionally makes noise. A PC enthusiast, he also covers the occasional spot of computing and gaming news, usually relating to how hard information technology is to find graphics bill of fare stock.