Intel, the global semiconductor giant, is preparing a major entry into the handheld gaming market with the development of a new, dedicated platform that includes both hardware and software. The move signals a direct challenge to the market’s current leader, AMD, and could significantly alter the landscape for portable gaming devices.
The announcement was made at CES by Daniel Rogers, Intel’s vice president and general manager of PC products.
The Panther Lake Platform
At the core of this new initiative are Intel’s Core Series 3 processors, codenamed “Panther Lake.” These processors are the company’s first to be built on its advanced 18A manufacturing process, which entered production in 2025.
The platform is not just about the processor; it will feature a chip specifically designed for the power and thermal constraints of handheld gaming devices, promising an integrated hardware and software solution for manufacturers. More details on the new products are expected to be shared by Intel later this year.
Entering A Competitive Market
While Intel has been a key player in PC gaming for decades, particularly with its CPUs and the 2022 launch of its Arc GPUs, the handheld space represents new territory. The market is currently dominated by AMD, whose chips power popular devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
The competitive pressure was evident at CES, where AMD also announced its new AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D processor, designed to enhance performance in gaming PCs, alongside advancements in graphics technology. Intel’s entry will introduce new competition, likely driving innovation and offering more choices for both manufacturers and consumers.
MENA’s Gaming Boom And The Hardware Opportunity
For the MENA tech ecosystem, Intel’s move into handheld gaming is a significant development. The region, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world, with a young, tech-savvy population demonstrating high consumer spending on gaming hardware.
Increased competition between giants like Intel and AMD can lead to more accessible and powerful devices, stimulating further market growth in MENA. This creates opportunities for regional distributors, e-commerce platforms specializing in gaming gear, and local esports organizations. Furthermore, for VCs and investors in the region, a diversifying gaming hardware market could unlock new investment theses around gaming-adjacent startups and infrastructure.
About Intel
Intel is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. It is one of the world’s largest semiconductor chip manufacturers by revenue and is the developer of the x86 series of microprocessors, the processors found in most personal computers.
Source: TechCrunch
