LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2026 – Intel introduced its Core Ultra Series 3 mobile processors, codenamed Panther Lake, at CES 2026 , the first high-volume product manufactured on the company’s 18A process node and a key step in its efforts to regain momentum in AI-enabled computing.
The Series 3 lineup consolidates Intel’s mobile offerings, combining the AI features of Meteor Lake, the efficiency of Lunar Lake, and the performance of Arrow Lake-H.
Intel reports up to 60% better multithreaded performance and 77% faster gaming compared to Lunar Lake at equivalent power, driven by a new Arc B390 integrated GPU capable of competing with entry-level discrete graphics.
Panther Lake will power more than 200 PC designs from major manufacturers, with availability in 2026. Options include high-performance X-series and efficient U-series chips, plus dedicated variants for handheld gaming devices.
Intel emphasized the 18A node’s significance as the most advanced U.S.-developed process. CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the company “over-delivered” on timelines, validating its foundry investments, including U.S. government support holding a roughly 10% stake.
Beyond laptops, Oversonic Robotics announced adopting Core Ultra Series 3 for humanoid robots in healthcare, citing cost advantages and on-device processing over cloud reliance.
The launch addresses Intel’s competitive challenges against AMD and Qualcomm in AI PCs, where local processing improves privacy and latency. Intel shares have risen 84% in 2025 amid turnaround optimism.
As rivals AMD (Ryzen AI 400) and Qualcomm (Snapdragon X2 Elite) also unveiled chips at CES, Panther Lake positions Intel to reclaim share through integrated AI, efficiency, and domestic manufacturing.
