• Microsoft is reportedly working on a new, lower-cost Surface tablet, according to a report from Bloomberg.
• The new tablet would start at $400 and have a 10-inch screen, about nine hours of battery life, and USB-C charging.
• Microsoft has dabbled in more consumer-friendly tablets in the past, but has shifted focus in recent years to its pricier pro line of tablets and laptops.

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Microsoft could be releasing a new competitor to the iPad as soon as this year.

According to a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Dina Bass, the new tablet will have a 10-inch screen, rounded edges, and will be priced around $400.

Bloomberg reports that the tablet will also be 20% lighter than current Surface tablets, but with about nine hours of battery life, compared to the Surface Pro's 13.5 hours. The new tablet will also have USB-C charging, which would be a first for Microsoft tablets.

Mary Jo Foley, who covers Microsoft for ZDNet, said she's heard similar reports of a new low-cost tablet that could be announced as early as July.

This isn't the first time Microsoft has dabbled in low-cost tablets. Back in 2012, the company released the Surface RT, a $500 tablet intended to appeal to the average consumer. But the demand for the tablet was lackluster, and Microsoft ended up taking a $900 million write-down for it.

A smaller, less expensive Microsoft tablet would likely compete with Apple's newest 9.7-inch iPad, which costs $329. Right now, Microsoft's least expensive Surface device starts at $800.

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