Intel has officially unveiled its Core Ultra Series 3 processors at CES 2026. This announcement marks the debut of the company's "Panther Lake" architecture and the first commercial application of its 18A process technology.

The Move to 18A

The primary focus of this release is the manufacturing process. The Series 3 chips are the first client system-on-chips (SoCs) built using Intel 18A technology. This node is significant because it is designed and manufactured in the United States, specifically at Fab 52 in Arizona. The shift to this process aims to improve power efficiency and transistor density compared to previous generations.

Core Ultra Series 3 Specifications

The new lineup, particularly the mobile-focused X-series (X9 and X7), integrates several updates to the CPU, GPU, and NPU subsystems.

  • CPU: The top-tier models feature up to 16 cores.
  • Graphics: The integrated Intel Arc graphics include up to 12 Xe-cores.
  • AI Compute: The NPU is rated for 50 TOPS (trillion operations per second).

Intel states that these specifications result in a 60% improvement in multithread performance and up to 77% faster gaming performance compared to the previous generation. Battery life specifications listed by the manufacturer suggest up to 27 hours of operation under specific test conditions.

Broad Application Support

While the initial spotlight is on consumer laptops, Intel indicated that the Series 3 platform is also certified for edge and industrial use cases. This includes applications in robotics and healthcare, where the improved performance-per-watt metrics of the 18A process may be beneficial.

Availability

Pre-orders for laptops equipped with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors are scheduled to begin on January 6, 2026, with global availability starting on January 27, 2026.

Note for System Builders: While these initial announcements focus on mobile integration, the architectural changes in Panther Lake often serve as a precursor to future desktop components. We recommend keeping an eye on the CPU compatibility lists on Configurine for updates as desktop variants are announced later in the cycle.