> At a Glance
> – Intel is designing a dedicated chip-plus-software platform for handheld gaming devices
> – The hardware will be built on the 18A-process Panther Lake CPUs now entering PCs
> – Daniel Rogers, Intel PC products VP, promised deeper details later this year
> – Why it matters: A new x86 challenger could finally push AMD beyond its near-monopoly in portable gaming chips
Intel wants a seat at the handheld gaming table. At CES on Monday, the company confirmed it is crafting both silicon and software to power portable gaming hardware, banking on its new Panther Lake architecture to break AMD’s grip on the category.
Panther Lake at the Core
The upcoming platform centers on Intel Core Series 3 processors manufactured on the company’s 18A node, which entered production in 2025. These chips will be tailored for handhelds rather than lifted straight from laptops.
PC product lead Daniel Rogers told the CES crowd that Panther Lake devices are “shipping now” across multiple OEMs, giving developers a ready testbed for handheld-specific tweaks.
Intel’s Gaming Pedigree
- 1990s: first discrete graphics for gaming PCs
- 2022: launched Intel Arc GPU family
- 2026: handheld platform initiative
Rogers noted that while Intel has long supplied CPUs for desktop and laptop gamers, a purpose-built handheld stack would mark a strategic shift.
AMD Stays in the Spotlight
Hours before Intel’s reveal, AMD unveiled its Ryzen 7 9850X3D, a gaming-optimized CPU with new ray-tracing and graphics enhancements. AMD chips currently drive the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go, making it the incumbent to beat.
Intel did not share performance comparisons or launch dates but committed to additional disclosures “later this year.”
Key Takeaways
- Intel’s first 18A product will target handheld gaming first
- The platform bundles hardware and software, not just a CPU
- AMD’s CES counter-launch shows both vendors now race for portable gamers
- Shipments remain vague: expect updates before 2026 ends
If Intel delivers, 2026 could see the first credible x86 alternative to AMD’s handheld dominance since the category exploded.
