New Delhi, India, Jan 6, 2026 – Intel Core Ultra Series 3 has officially debuted at CES 2026, marking a major milestone in computing technology. This new processor family is the first to be built on Intel’s advanced 18A process, designed and manufactured in the United States. Intel says the launch ushers in a new era of AI-powered PCs with improved performance, graphics, and battery life. Consumers can expect availability later this month.
Intel Core Ultra Series 3 will power more than 200 PC designs from global partners, making it the most widely adopted AI PC platform Intel has ever introduced. The company promises that these processors will deliver exceptional speed and efficiency for everyday users and professionals alike.
Jim Johnson, Senior VP and GM of Intel’s Client Computing Group, further emphasized the focus on power and performance. Specifically, he said, “With Series 3, we are laser-focused on improving power efficiency, while also adding more CPU performance, a bigger GPU that stands in a class of its own, as well as more AI compute and app compatibility that you can reliably count on with x86,” he explained during the event.
The new lineup additionally includes Intel Core Ultra X9 and X7 processors, which not only feature integrated Intel Arc graphics for demanding workloads but also deliver performance for users who need multitasking. Consequently, Intel designed these chips for multitaskers who want smooth gaming, content creation, and productivity on the go. The top models offer up to 16 CPU cores, 12 Xe cores, and 50 NPU TOPS. Intel claims these processors deliver up to 60% better multithread performance. They offer 77% faster gaming speeds and up to 27 hours of battery life.
Alongside premium options, Intel is also introducing mainstream Intel Core processors based on the same architecture. These chips aim to provide efficient and affordable solutions for everyday laptop users without compromising on performance.
Intel uses the Core Ultra Series 3 beyond personal computing. For the first time, these processors are certified for embedded and industrial applications at the edge. This includes robotics, smart cities, automation, and healthcare systems. Intel says the processors offer extended temperature ranges, deterministic performance, and 24/7 reliability for critical environments.
The company highlighted significant AI performance gains for edge workloads. Series 3 delivers up to 1.9× higher large language model performance. It provides 2.3× better performance per watt per dollar for video analytics and 4.5× higher throughput on vision-language-action models. These improvements come from integrated AI acceleration within a single system-on-chip design, reducing costs compared to traditional multi-chip setups.
Intel believes this innovation will accelerate AI adoption across industries while improving total cost of ownership for businesses. Intel combines CPU, GPU, and AI capabilities in a single chip. This approach simplifies deployment and boosts efficiency for edge computing.
Pre-orders for laptops powered by Intel Core Ultra Series 3 start January 6, 2026. Global availability begins January 27, with more designs expected in the first half of the year. Edge systems featuring these processors will roll out in the second quarter.
Intel’s announcement at CES 2026 signals a strong commitment to advancing AI computing for both consumers and enterprises. With its new 18A process and integrated AI capabilities, Intel Core Ultra Series 3 sets a new benchmark. It delivers improved performance, efficiency, and versatility for modern computing.
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