Intel's Panther Lake handheld gaming chips face a reported delay to Q2 2026, extending AMD's dominance in the portable PC market. The Intel Core G3 series, specifically designed for gaming handhelds, won't arrive until at least April according to leaker Golden Pig Upgrade via Videocardz.
The delay pushes back Intel's first serious challenge to AMD's Ryzen Z series, which currently powers most high-end gaming handhelds. AMD's Zen 5-based chips have set the efficiency and performance standard that Intel aimed to disrupt with Panther Lake.
Two Panther Lake handheld variants are reportedly in development. Both feature 14-core CPU configurations with 2 performance cores, 8 efficiency cores, and 4 low-power efficiency cores. The standard G3 model includes Arc B360 graphics with 10 Xe3 cores, while the G3 Extreme upgrades to Arc B380 with 12 Xe3 cores.
Intel claims Panther Lake's Xe3 integrated graphics deliver up to 77% better gaming performance compared to Lunar Lake chips. Early benchmarks suggest the architecture could approach PlayStation 6-level performance in handheld form factors.
The company announced its handheld gaming ambitions at CES 2026, confirming partnerships with Acer, MSI, Microsoft, GPD, and OneXPlayer. Intel positioned Panther Lake as a custom-built solution for portable gaming PCs, leveraging its 18A process technology.
AMD's Ryzen Z2 series continues gaining momentum during Intel's delay. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme currently powers devices like the ROG Ally X, maintaining AMD's handheld market leadership that began with the Steam Deck.
Industry analysts note the delay gives AMD additional runway to solidify its position. The handheld gaming PC market reached 6 million units shipped by early 2025, with expectations for continued growth through 2026.
Intel's previous handheld attempts included Lunar Lake chips in devices like the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Those systems demonstrated competitive performance but struggled against AMD's established ecosystem and driver support.
The Core G3 Extreme reportedly features a 4.7GHz maximum CPU boost clock with Arc B380 graphics clocked up to 2.3GHz. The standard G3 model operates at 4.6GHz with Arc B360 graphics reaching 2.2GHz.
Pricing remains uncertain for Panther Lake handhelds. Industry sources suggest higher costs for systems featuring the top Xe3 iGPU configurations, potentially limiting mainstream adoption against AMD's more established pricing.
"The graphics hardware in Panther Lake is going to set a new standard for us, and we actually think for the industry."
Intel's Tom Peterson previously stated this, with the architecture representing Intel's most significant integrated graphics advancement in years.
The delay means consumers won't see Panther Lake-powered handhelds until mid-2026 at earliest. Device manufacturers require additional time for design, validation, and production beyond chip availability.
AMD's next-generation RDNA 5 graphics architecture isn't expected until late 2027, potentially giving Intel a window if Panther Lake delivers on its performance promises. However, the delay reduces Intel's competitive advantage timeline.
Intel's handheld strategy focuses on balancing performance cores with efficiency cores for better battery life. The company aims to address one of AMD's key advantages in portable gaming systems.
Market observers will watch for official confirmation from Intel regarding the reported delay. The company has yet to announce specific SKUs or launch timelines for its Core G3 handheld processors.
