Based on reports from numerous sources, Intel is gearing up to initiate another round of price hikes for consumer PC CPUs in October 2026. This anticipated increase is projected to be around 10% and will encompass mainstream product lines, including the Core Ultra series. Should this information prove to be accurate, it will signify Intel's third CPU price raise within the same year. This follows previous price increases for both consumer and server-grade CPUs in January and July 2026, respectively. Notably, some high-end server CPUs have witnessed price hikes exceeding a thousand yuan.

These price adjustments are taking place against the backdrop of a moderate adjustment in global PC shipments. However, there have been persistent increases in the costs of core components. Intel's strategy appears to be centered on boosting gross margins through these price hikes, rather than focusing on expanding its market share.

In parallel, Intel is actively pursuing structural optimization of its product lines. The company plans to phase out low-margin small-core product lines. This move is aimed at creating more market space for industrial PCs, IoT (Internet of Things), and embedded chips. This development presents an opportunity for vendors within the ARM ecosystem to make inroads into the market. Furthermore, Intel is currently grappling with capacity constraints for server CPUs and may consider outsourcing some of its orders to TSMC for manufacturing purposes.