Intel's big play for gaming handhelds leaks ahead of possible Computex 2026 reveal

Intel's next move in the handheld gaming space is starting to take shape, with new leaks pointing to Arc-powered chips designed to rival AMD's Ryzen Z-series.

According to a report from VideoCardz, Intel is preparing to unveil its Arc G3 and Arc G3 Extreme chips for gaming handhelds at Computex 2026, both based on the Panther Lake architecture. These chips are expected to feature a 25W base TDP with configurable power profiles, positioning them as direct competitors to AMD's current handheld-focused silicon.

The Arc G3 lineup is tipped to include two variants, with the primary difference being integrated graphics. The standard Arc G3 is rumored to feature Arc B360 graphics with 10 Xe cores, while the Arc G3 Extreme bumps things up with Arc B380 graphics and 12 Xe cores. Earlier naming confusion around "Core G3" appears to have been clarified, with insiders suggesting Intel is aligning these chips under its Arc branding to better reflect their gaming focus.

Reports also indicate that the silicon has already been tested and is ready, with early partners such as MSI and OneXPlayer expected to adopt the chips in upcoming devices. However, not everything is clear-cut. A recently surfaced CPU-Z leak claiming to show a "Core G3 Extreme" has been disputed by known insiders, who suggest the listing may be a spoof. Despite the naming confusion, it appears Intel is gearing up for a serious push into the handheld gaming market.

With Computex approximately a month away and that convention likely where Intel unveils the new chips, we won't have to wait long to see if Arc G3 marks Intel's most direct challenge yet to AMD's dominance in the portable gaming hardware space.