The phrase "a surprising difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an unexpected variation or distinction between two or more items, concepts, or situations.
Example: "After analyzing the data, we found a surprising difference in the results between the two groups."
Alternatives: "an unexpected contrast" or "a notable discrepancy."
The different parameters of the mass yield distribution in the 232Th(n, f) reaction were compared with the similar data in the 232Th γ, f) reaction at comparable excitation energy and a surprising difference was observed.
A perfect circle makes a surprising difference, and with watch faces designed for the G Watch R's round screen, no other Android Wear device can compare – including the Moto 360, with its black cutout at the 6 o'clock point on the device.
Our take: Posture can make a surprising difference in how you feel, and how others see you.
Every time after she knocks and I say sweetly, "Come in," she asks hopefully, "Were you going to say something in a mean voice if I didn't knock?" This slight change made a surprising difference.
There was, however, a surprising difference in the capacity of the HN-MSCs to differentiate toward the adipogenic lineage.
A surprising difference was detected between the responder and non-responders in the dopamine D4 receptor exon III VNTR.
This a priori surprising difference in the energy absorption is rationalized by the more important local contribution of the deviatoric stress vs. volumetric stress under impact than under uniaxial deformation.
The blood lead values differed between the groups 26 μg/dL for the enriched group and 34 μg/dL for the isolated group—a surprising outcome, but differences in drinking water intake were not measured and could have been determined by the housing situation.
But the most surprising difference is that From a Buick 6 is a completely different version, different backing and even some of the lyrics are not on the British mono or stereo versions, or the US mono version.
There was a surprising safety difference when it came to mouth guards.
Thus, to investigate whether gender is a common correlate to immune responses in sub-optimal responders we performed a comparison of male and female AKR mice and also observed a surprising gender difference.
