Intel will officially showcase its next-generation “Panther Lake” processors at the consumer Electronics Show in january 2026, marking a notable milestone as the first family built on the company’s cutting-edge 18A process [[1]], [[2]], and [[3]]. The January 5th unveiling will provide a detailed look at the Core Ultra 300 series, featuring architectural upgrades and a refined naming convention with the introduction of “Core Ultra X” branding for top-tier configurations. Industry analysts anticipate the 18A node-incorporating RibbonFET and PowerVia technologies-will be crucial in intel’s efforts to regain ground in the increasingly competitive CPU market.
Intel has confirmed it will unveil its highly anticipated Panther Lake processor family at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early 2026.
The announcement, spotted by @momomo_us, indicates Intel plans to introduce the new Core Ultra Series 3 processors on January 5, 2026. Imagery associated with the event features a panther, strongly suggesting a connection to the Panther Lake series.
The debut of the Panther Lake architecture is expected to be a major event for consumers in 2026, as it will be the first processor family to utilize Intel’s advanced 18A manufacturing technology. This includes innovations like RibbonFET and PowerVia, representing a significant leap forward in chip design and performance. The new processors will also incorporate substantial architectural improvements, including updated P/E-core designs and the Celestial Xe3 integrated GPU.
Intel is also refining its naming scheme with the introduction of the “Core Ultra X” brand. This designation will reportedly be reserved for SKUs featuring the full 12-core Xe3 iGPU. These models will range from Core Ultra 9 to Core Ultra 5 configurations.
The move to the 18A process node and new architecture signals Intel’s commitment to remaining competitive in the processor market, particularly as rivals continue to push the boundaries of chip technology. The advancements promise to deliver increased performance and efficiency for a wide range of computing applications.
