Intel Announces Core Ultra G3 Processors for Handheld Gaming Consoles

Intel has officially announced the development of a new Core Ultra G3 processor family, created specifically for handheld gaming consoles. The chips are based on the promising Panther Lake architecture and are gearing up to challenge AMD's Ryzen Z2 solutions.

According to available data, the flagship model will feature a hybrid configuration with 12 cores: two high-performance P-cores, eight efficient E-cores, and four LP (Low Power) cores for background tasks. The key highlight of the new chips will be the integrated Intel Arc B380 graphics with 12 Xe3 compute units.

At CES 2026, the company also confirmed the formation of a full ecosystem of handheld devices based on these APUs. Manufacturers such as Acer, MSI, ONEXPLAYER, GPD, and Microsoft have already joined the partner program, indicating Intel's strategic interest in the fast-growing handheld segment.

The release of specialized mobile chips from Intel could shift the balance of power in a market where AMD-based platforms have so far dominated the handheld gaming PC space. The emergence of a full-fledged alternative with powerful integrated graphics could spur an expansion of the product lineup and potentially lead to lower prices for end users.

Exact release dates for the first handheld consoles based on Core Ultra G3 have not yet been announced. Analysts expect the first devices could appear sometime in 2026.