On January 5, 2026 (local time), at the highly anticipated Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas, Intel made a splash by introducing its third - generation Core Ultra processor, internally dubbed 'Panther Lake.'

This cutting - edge series of chips is crafted using Intel's revolutionary 18A process. By the end of 2025, this line of chips had not only entered production but also surpassed its delivery targets, a remarkable feat in the semiconductor industry.

One of the standout features of these chips is their disaggregated modular architecture. This innovative design enables them to deliver performance enhancements of up to 60%, making them highly versatile and suitable for a broad spectrum of applications.

Consumers will soon have the opportunity to experience this technological marvel firsthand. The first batch of consumer laptops powered by these processors will be up for pre - sale on January 6, 2026, and will subsequently be rolled out globally on January 27.

In addition to laptops, Intel has its sights set on the handheld gaming console market. The company has plans to launch a dedicated platform for this sector. The edge processor version of the third - generation Core Ultra is expected to make its market debut in the second quarter of 2026, further expanding Intel's reach in the tech landscape.

The mass production of the first 18A process chip is a watershed moment for Intel. It serves as a powerful testament to the company's technological expertise and competitive edge in the fiercely contested semiconductor arena. However, the road ahead is not without hurdles. Intel still grapples with the challenge of improving the yield rate of the 18A process. Moreover, when it comes to external foundry opportunities, the real potential might lie in the next - generation 14A node.