2025 Surface Pro 11 Unboxing and First Impressions: Intel Lunar Lake Upgrade Unveiled!

Hey everyone, Shane here! Today, I’m diving into something exciting—the 2025 Surface Pro 11. This isn’t just another tablet; it’s a refreshed take on the Surface Pro 11 that launched in 2024, now powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake processor instead of the Snapdragon X Elite. After spending months with the 2024 edition and hitting some limitations, I couldn’t wait to unbox this updated version and share my first impressions with you. If you’re curious about what’s new, how it performs, and whether it’s worth the upgrade, stick around—this is going to be a deep dive!

Unboxing the 2025 Surface Pro 11: What’s Inside?

Let’s start with the unboxing. The 2025 Surface Pro 11 arrived in sleek, minimalist packaging—classic Microsoft style. My review unit comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but you can spec it up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage if you’re a power user. Inside the box, here’s what you get:

• The Device: The star of the show, the 2025 Surface Pro 11, now featuring an anti-reflective OLED display.
• 39W Charger: Identical to the one included with the 2024 Snapdragon model, complete with a wall outlet adapter.
• Paperwork: A quick-start guide and warranty info—nothing fancy, but it’s there.

The moment I lifted the Surface Pro 11 out of the box, I could feel the premium build quality. At 10 grams lighter than the 2024 model, it’s subtle but noticeable when you’re holding it. Before diving into the details, I plugged it in, hit the power button, and let it boot up while I took a closer look at the hardware.

A Quick Physical Tour: What’s Changed?

On the outside, the 2025 Surface Pro 11 looks almost identical to its 2024 predecessor—same iconic kickstand, same slim profile. But there’s one big upgrade: the anti-reflective OLED display. After months with the 2024 version, I can confirm its screen was a mirror in bright light—distracting and impractical. The 2025 model tones that down significantly, and even under my studio lights, reflections are far less intrusive. It’s a small change that makes a big difference.

Here’s the rundown of the ports and features:

• Left Side: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports—perfect for fast data transfer and external displays.
• Top: Power button and volume rocker.
• Right Side: The proprietary Surface Connector for charging and docking.
• Back: The versatile kickstand and a magnetic door hiding the upgradeable SSD—yes, you can swap it out if you need more storage!
• Cameras: A 10MP rear camera (up to 4K video) and an ultrawide front-facing camera (up to 1440p)—great for video calls or quick shots.

I popped in my details, set it up, and spent a week testing it out. Now, let’s get into my first impressions of this Intel Lunar Lake-powered beast.

First Impressions: A Week with the 2025 Surface Pro 11

After seven days of heavy use, I’ve got a lot to say about the 2025 Surface Pro 11. From the display to the performance, here’s what stood out.

Biometrics: Fast and Flexible

Logging in is a breeze with the facial recognition system. It’s quick, reliable, and works at various angles—even at arm’s length. No fumbling with passwords here; it’s a smooth entry every time.

Display: OLED Brilliance with Anti-Reflective Magic

The 13-inch OLED display (2880×1920 resolution) is a stunner. With a 3:2 aspect ratio, it maximizes screen real estate, making it ideal for productivity and media. Colors pop, text is razor-sharp, and at 600 nits of brightness, it holds up in bright environments. Compared to the Surface Laptop 7, the text clarity here is noticeably better.

The anti-reflective coating? A game-changer. My 2024 Surface Pro 11 doubled as a mirror under studio lights, but this 2025 version keeps distractions at bay. Side-by-side, the difference is stark—reflections are muted, and I can focus on the content, not my own face.

Design: Slim, Light, and Efficient

At 10 grams lighter than the 2024 model, the 2025 Surface Pro 11 feels great in hand. It’s thin, portable, and doesn’t overheat, even during extended use. The fans stay quiet for light tasks—a huge improvement over older Intel-based Surface Pros that sounded like jet engines.

Accessories: The Flex Keyboard and Slim Pen

The Surface Flex Keyboard (sold separately) is a premium add-on. Retailing around $250-$350, it’s pricey, but it’s the best tablet keyboard I’ve used. The haptic trackpad is small but incredibly responsive, and the keys offer excellent travel with decent backlighting (three levels, though not super bright). The wireless feature—powered by a built-in battery—lets you detach it and type from a distance, which is clutch for creative setups. Flip it around, and it disables inputs, so you can carry it without accidental keystrokes.

The Surface Slim Pen 2 (also separate) hasn’t changed since 2021, but it’s still a joy. With smooth writing, haptic feedback, and an eraser tip, it’s perfect for notes, sketches, or Excel. The combo of kickstand, keyboard, and pen makes this a true hybrid device.

Performance: Intel Lunar Lake Shines

Here’s where the 2025 Surface Pro 11 stands out: the Intel Lunar Lake processor. Available in four configurations (Core Ultra 5 and 7 variants), it delivers better performance and efficiency than the Snapdragon X Elite and older Intel chips. For light tasks—tons of tabs, apps, and multitasking—it’s silent and cool. No more scorching-hot tablets!

I tested it against the 2024 Snapdragon X Elite model and my Surface Pro 9 (Intel i5). Playing RuneScape, the Snapdragon hit 80-90 FPS but felt choppy. The Lunar Lake model? A buttery-smooth 120 FPS at 50-60% GPU usage—no stutters, minimal fan noise. The Surface Pro 9 managed ~100 FPS but maxed out its weaker Intel Iris GPU, with fans screaming. The 2025 version strikes a perfect balance of power and quiet operation.

Battery Life: Solid, Not Stellar

Battery life varies by workload:

• Light Use (Power Efficient Mode): 7 hours with 120Hz and high brightness—solid for a full day of emails and browsing.
• Mixed Use (Best Performance Mode): 4 hours, including gaming and light tasks.
• Heavy Use (Gaming at 120 FPS): 2 hours, a big leap from the 1 hour I’d get on older models.

Compared to the Snapdragon X Elite’s 7 hours 45 minutes in light use, you lose 45 minutes with Lunar Lake—but gain serious performance. The included 39W charger is slow (2+ hours to full), so I recommend a 100W USB-C charger (like the one from the Surface USB4 Dock) for faster top-ups.

Cameras and Speakers: Decent for a Tablet

The 1440p front and 4K rear cameras are solid for a tablet—great for calls or casual shots. The dual speakers are impressive for the form factor but don’t match the Surface Laptop 7’s audio punch. Still, they outshine my Galaxy Book 5 Pro, which also rocks Lunar Lake.

Price: The Premium Catch

Here’s the rub: the 2025 Surface Pro 11 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage retails at $1,900. The Snapdragon version with identical specs? $1,500. That $400 premium stings, especially near launch. For power users needing top performance, it’s justifiable—but casual users might wait for discounts.

Final Thoughts: The Best Surface Pro Yet?

After a week, I’m sold—this is the most complete Surface Pro I’ve used. It nails the hybrid experience: a stunning anti-reflective OLED, versatile design, and a processor that finally delivers power without compromise. It’s silent for light tasks, smooth for gaming, and portable enough for work trips. The price is steep, but for a compact, premium 2-in-1, it’s hard to beat.

What do you think? Are you eyeing the 2025 Surface Pro 11, or sticking with Snapdragon? Drop your thoughts below, and if you enjoyed this, give it a like! Stay tuned for my Surface Laptop 7 Lunar Lake review—coming soon!