If everything goes according to plans for CES 2026, Intel is planning a bigger push into gaming handhelds. This time it’s not just about squeezing a laptop chip into a smaller case. According to IGN, Intel is working on Intel Core G3 handheld chips made from Panther Lake silicon and optimized for portable gaming PCs.
When that happens, consistency pays off for you. Handhelds live and die by sustained performance, battery life, and heat. Therefore, a part designed for this area could mean fewer drops when warming up a system and truly more competitive options between brands.
Core G3 is designed for handhelds
The most important detail is that Intel appears to be converting Panther Lake into different configurations that better suit the performance and cooling limits of handhelds. The usual boost behavior seen in laptops can quickly fall apart in a tight chassis, so it’s not exactly a one size fits all.
With a handheld, you’re juggling thermals, fan noise, and gaming time while also paying attention to frame rate. If Intel’s Core G3 variants focus on smooth output rather than short bursts, that could be the difference between a device that feels great for 15 minutes and one you actually want to keep gaming on.
The Arc B390’s profits look huge
Intel also headlined graphics at CES 2026, adding some bold numbers to Panther Lake’s Arc B390 integrated GPU. In its own testing, Intel found that the Arc B390 can be up to 77% faster than Lunar Lake’s Arc 140V when gaming. Additionally, additional comparisons were made to AMD’s integrated graphics and even an RTX 4050 laptop GPU in select results.
That’s the kind of claim you should consider as a starting point. Handheld performance continues to depend on power budget, cooling, drivers, and games used for testing. However, if the Arc B390 scales well at lower wattages, it could be the thing that finally makes an Intel-based handheld feel like it belongs in the same discussion as the more popular options.
What to watch next
Intel has tried this category before, and the early Claw models didn’t do it any favors. The next checkpoint is simple, real devices from more than one partner, with a sensible price and performance that will last even after a long session.
Also keep an eye on the wider landscape. Our ROG Ally vs Steam Deck comparison is a good reference for what buyers are currently looking for and why efficiency is often more important than peak performance. If Core G3 becomes widely accepted, it could lead to faster gains in efficiency and value across the category.
