Intel just unveiled its Core Ultra Series 3 mobile processors, known as Panther Lake-H, for laptops and mini PCs. The official launch is set for January 27, 2026. Interestingly, AMD is launching its own refresh, the Ryzen AI 400 series, just days earlier. However, AMD's offering is merely a minor update to current silicon, not a true architectural leap forward.

A leak from Golden Pig Upgrade claims Intel is planning a two-tier review embargo strategy. Reviews for the flagship Core Ultra X9 388H will drop on January 26, a day before the official launch. The rest of the Panther Lake lineup follows on January 27. This staggered approach suggests Intel wants its top chip to dominate the headlines before retail availability.

Prioritizing the 16-core flagship makes strategic sense given the competition. Leaks indicate the Ultra X9 388H will go head-to-head with AMD's top-tier Ryzen AI Max+ 395 "Strix Halo" chip. Benchmark rumors already suggest Intel's Arc Xe3 integrated graphics can double the performance of AMD's previous Strix Point iGPU. This sets the stage for a serious battle in the high-end laptop market.