Intel is poised to introduce its Panther Lake architecture with a single mobile model in late 2025, marking the company’s inaugural use of its advanced 18A process node. The remaining of what we presume is Core Ultra 300 Series will roll out in 2026, completing the full range.
While Intel previously assured us that it was on track for a Panther Lake launch this year, this is the first nod to its scale. According to leaker Meng, the unnamed SKU will take up the high-end, featuring four Xe3 GPU cores, four P-cores, and eight E-cores. This won’t be the top dog, if previous leaks hold water regarding a 12 Xe3 model, but it will be up there.
Improving on previous designs, X user InstLatX64 states Intel will upgrade from Skymont E-cores to stronger Darkmont E-cores. Supposedly iterative more than an entirely new innovation, these are designed specifically for the 18A node rather than retrofitting previous-generation technology.
Interestingly, there are no low-power E-cores in sight, which deviates from previous leaks, making its 45W power envelope raise an eyebrow. This is substantially more than Lunar Lake’s 28W ceiling, which comes in handy to enhance AI capabilities – 18A sports up to 180 TOPS rather than a 120 TOPS limit – but at the possible expense of battery life.
As is the nature of these leaks, it could be a mistake as information passes through the grapevine. Alternatively, it’s not out of the question that there might be a shift in philosophy moving away from pure efficiency. After all, Intel has already stated that there will be no direct successors to Core Ultra 200V chips as it’s too expensive to integrate memory on-package.
The decision to commence with a solitary SKU reflects Intel’s cautious approach amid challenges in 18A manufacturing yields, reportedly around 60% back in March. This strategy allows Intel to validate its new process technology before a broader rollout.
While Panther Lake focusses on mobile platforms, Intel’s desktop roadmap continues with Nova Lake aiming for 2026/27 with a rumoured 16 P-cores and whopping 32 E-cores. Exciting stuff, considering that would be double the theoretical performance and efficiency of Arrow Lake.
