Brandwave

Microsoft Surface vs TCL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Microsoft Surface had more branded searches than TCL among tablet brands in New Zealand. Microsoft Surface had about 4,210 branded searches, while TCL had 1,760. Microsoft Surface made up 6.7% of all tablet brand searches we track, and TCL accounted for 2.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tablet brands, Microsoft Surface appeared in two of the five answers and TCL in none.

Among tablet brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Microsoft Surface, about 2 searches for every 1 for TCL

Microsoft Surface 4.2K searchesTCL 1.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Microsoft Surface, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, TCL in 0

Microsoft Surface in 2 of 5TCL in 0 of 5

Follow Microsoft Surface vs TCL and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top tablet brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Surface was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. TCL did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Lenovo Tab1st
  2. Apple iPad2nd
  3. Samsung Galaxy Tab3rd
  4. Microsoft Surface4th
  5. TCL–
  6. Amazon Fire Tablet–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple iPad4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Lenovo Tab3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Microsoft Surface2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • TCL0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Amazon Fire Tablet0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about tablet brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is Microsoft Surface or TCL more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft Surface and TCL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six tablet brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Microsoft Surface and TCL among tablet brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Microsoft Surface, TCL. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthApple iPadMicrosoft SurfaceLenovo TabSamsung Galaxy TabTCLAmazon Fire Tablet
Oct 202582.6%7.6%3.3%4%2.2%0.3%
Nov 202582.4%6.9%3.7%3.9%2.7%0.38%
Dec 202583.1%5.9%4.4%3.6%2.7%0.31%
Jan 202681.4%7.1%4.1%3.8%3.3%0.33%
Feb 202682.9%7.5%3.5%3.6%2.3%0.27%
Mar 202682.6%7.4%3.3%3.8%2.7%0.29%
Apr 202682.9%6.6%3.6%3.6%2.9%0.32%
May 202682.1%7.5%3.4%3.6%3%0.32%
Jun 202682.2%8.4%3.2%3.2%2.7%0.33%
Jul 202682.2%7.4%4%3.7%2.3%0.34%
Aug 202681.5%8%4.1%3.8%2.3%0.34%
Sep 202681.6%6.7%5%3.7%2.8%0.24%

How has the Microsoft Surface and TCL comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Microsoft Surface was ahead of TCL in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Surface’s share of searches among tablet brands in New Zealand moved from 7.6% to 6.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.8K to 4.2K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, TCL’s share of searches among tablet brands in New Zealand moved from 2.2% to 2.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.4K to 1.8K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand tablet brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, Microsoft Surface lost share of searches among tablet brands in New Zealand, from 8% to 6.7%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for TCL in New Zealand rose 28.5% over 12 measured months, from 1.4K to 1.8K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

9 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft Surface’s and TCL’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Microsoft Surface

5 branded search terms

  • microsoft surface tab
  • microsoftsurface
  • pc surface pro
  • surface laptop tablet
  • surface pro

TCL

4 branded search terms

  • tcl
  • tcl chinese theatres
  • tcl nxtpaper
  • tcl q led

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among tablet brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.