AMD and Intel Engage in Competitive Exchange Over Handheld Gaming Chips

At CES 2026, Intel unveiled its Core Ultra Series 3 “Panther Lake” mobile chips, which promise enhanced battery life and superior integrated graphics performance through the new Arc Xe3 graphics cores. Nish Neelalojanan, Intel's senior director of client product management, asserted that AMD's offerings, specifically its Z2 chips, are based on "ancient silicon," while Intel's Panther Lake is designed for modern handheld gaming devices. This launch is seen as a strategic move for Intel to gain a foothold in the handheld gaming market, traditionally dominated by AMD's Ryzen Z1 and Z2 chips.

AMD claps back at Intel claims that it uses ‘ancient silicon’ in PC gaming handheldsAMD claims Panther Lake has 'too much baggage' for handheld PC use — fights back after Intel jabs AMD for using 'ancient silicon' in its Z2 series APUsAMD claims Intel's CES comparisons are 'not even a fair fight'; Intel says AMD is 'selling ancient silicon'—but they're both guilty of using confusing tactics

In response to Intel's claims, Rahul Tikoo, AMD's senior vice president and general manager of client business, defended the company’s position during a roundtable interview. Tikoo emphasized that AMD's chips are purpose-built for handheld devices, focusing on high graphics performance rather than merely computational power. He described Panther Lake as carrying "too much baggage" due to its chiplet architecture, which he likened to a "Swiss Army Knife" that is not optimized for handheld gaming.

AMD claims Panther Lake has 'too much baggage' for handheld PC use — fights back after Intel jabs AMD for using 'ancient silicon' in its Z2 series APUs

Tikoo further stated, "We created the space [handheld gaming], so it’s a space that we’re very committed to," highlighting AMD's historical dominance in this sector. He also pointed out that AMD's Strix Halo and Ryzen AI Max chips outperform Panther Lake in terms of graphics capabilities.

AMD claims Intel's CES comparisons are 'not even a fair fight'; Intel says AMD is 'selling ancient silicon'—but they're both guilty of using confusing tactics

Both companies have engaged in a war of words regarding performance metrics. Intel claims that its Panther Lake chips are significantly faster than AMD's offerings, reporting up to 77% better gaming performance compared to its previous Lunar Lake chips. However, Tikoo criticized Intel's comparisons, arguing that they were made against lower-tier AMD products rather than the latest high-end models.

AMD claims Intel's CES comparisons are 'not even a fair fight'; Intel says AMD is 'selling ancient silicon'—but they're both guilty of using confusing tacticsAMD claims Panther Lake has 'too much baggage' for handheld PC use — fights back after Intel jabs AMD for using 'ancient silicon' in its Z2 series APUsAMD claps back at Intel claims that it uses ‘ancient silicon’ in PC gaming handhelds

AMD's recent updates to its Strix Halo lineup, which now includes new 8-core and 12-core models, further illustrate its commitment to maintaining competitive performance in the handheld market. Tikoo expressed skepticism about Intel's performance claims, suggesting that the price point of Panther Lake would ultimately determine its competitiveness.

AMD claims Intel's CES comparisons are 'not even a fair fight'; Intel says AMD is 'selling ancient silicon'—but they're both guilty of using confusing tactics

Critics of both companies have noted that while Intel accuses AMD of using outdated technology, it too has relied on refreshes of older architectures. AMD's Z2 chips, for instance, utilize older CPU and GPU technology to keep costs down. This has led to a perception of hypocrisy in Intel's criticisms, as both companies navigate the complexities of their product lineups.

AMD claims Panther Lake has 'too much baggage' for handheld PC use — fights back after Intel jabs AMD for using 'ancient silicon' in its Z2 series APUs

The competitive exchange between AMD and Intel at CES 2026 underscores the intense rivalry in the handheld gaming chip market. As both companies continue to refine their offerings, the outcome of this battle will likely shape the future landscape of portable gaming technology. With AMD's established presence and Intel's aggressive new strategies, the market is poised for significant developments in the coming months.

AMD claims Panther Lake has 'too much baggage' for handheld PC use — fights back after Intel jabs AMD for using 'ancient silicon' in its Z2 series APUs

• “They’re selling ancient silicon, while we’re selling up-to-date processors specifically designed for this market” — Nish Neelalojanan, Intel Senior Director of Client Product Management

AMD claims Intel's CES comparisons are 'not even a fair fight'; Intel says AMD is 'selling ancient silicon'—but they're both guilty of using confusing tactics

• “We balance the two, and we’re already making those choices for our customers and saying, hey, you don’t have to worry about it.” — Rahul Tikoo, AMD Senior VP and GM of Client Business

AMD claims Panther Lake has 'too much baggage' for handheld PC use — fights back after Intel jabs AMD for using 'ancient silicon' in its Z2 series APUs

• “it's not even a fair fight at that point.” — Rahul Tikoo, AMD Senior VP and GM of Client Business

AMD claims Intel's CES comparisons are 'not even a fair fight'; Intel says AMD is 'selling ancient silicon'—but they're both guilty of using confusing tactics