At CES 2026, Intel introduced the Core Ultra Series 3 lineup, a fresh collection of processors touted for their outstanding capabilities. These mobile chips, previously referred to as Panther Lake, provide superior visuals and extended battery endurance in addition to robust processing power. For the initial occasion, the technology has received approval for applications in embedded systems and industrial settings, such as robotics and urban infrastructure solutions. However, similar to recent Intel developments, the reveal carries underlying implications that require careful analysis.
At their core, these represent high-end processors in the Core Ultra 7 and 9 variants, along with Core X7 and X9 models, equipped with 12 Xe graphics engines compared to the standard four. Nearly every option features 16 cores and threads in total, while all except two models achieve 50 PTOPS in neural processing unit output.
These processors stand out for two primary attributes: Intel positions them as the most sophisticated semiconductors produced domestically in the United States. Additionally, they mark the debut of the company's eagerly anticipated 18A manufacturing technique, which has challenged Intel over multiple years. The 18A method formed a central element in ex-CEO Pat Gelsinger's strategy to reposition Intel as a leader in the semiconductor industry. Regrettably, the timeline for this revival proved insufficient to avert Gelsinger's removal from leadership at the close of 2024. Compounding matters, despite substantial investments in 18A, reports from August 2025 indicated persistent challenges with suboptimal yields and elevated defect levels.
The designation 18A refers to 18 Angstroms, a scale notably finer than the nanometer metrics traditionally used for chip transistor dimensions. This equates to approximately 1.8 nanometers, aligning it closely with TSMC's leading N2 fabrication technology in Taiwan. During the CES event, Intel's current CEO, Lip Bu-Tan, announced that production scaling for 18A is progressing faster than planned, potentially signaling a significant evolution in the worldwide semiconductor landscape.
Anticipate these processors appearing in notebooks from major manufacturers like HP, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, Samsung, and others throughout the coming year.