Insights from supply chain sources reveal that the prices of Intel's PC CPUs have been on a steady upward trajectory since the close of 2025. As of October 5, 2026, reports indicate that Intel is gearing up for an additional 10% price surge on its PC CPUs. Concurrently, the Small Core product line, known for its relatively lower gross margin, is rumored to be on the verge of discontinuation. This strategic maneuver by Intel, under the leadership of CEO Lip-Bu Tan, aims to bolster overall profitability by streamlining its product portfolio and phasing out low-margin offerings.

The industry is abuzz with speculation that this development will pave the way for Arm-based contenders, Qualcomm and MediaTek, to make significant inroads into the industrial computer (IPC) and Internet of Things (IoT) chip markets. Supply chain operators have noted that escalating overall supply chain costs, coupled with robust demand for specific products, have prompted Intel to implement multiple price hikes on its PC CPUs since late 2025. The first quarter of 2026 witnessed a roughly 10% price increase, followed by another adjustment in July, which affected select consumer-grade and server-grade CPUs, with price escalations ranging from tens to over a thousand dollars.