Intel Announces First Intel 18A Processor to Launch in 2025

According to reports, Intel's interim co-CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus announced at CES 2025 that the company's first chip based on the Intel 18A process, the Panther Lake processor, is scheduled for release in the second half of 2025. During the event, Johnston showcased samples of the Panther Lake chip, confirming that testing is already underway. She expressed confidence in the advancements of the Intel 18A process and emphasized Intel's commitment to enhancing its AI-driven PC portfolio in 2025 and beyond.

Current information reveals that Panther Lake, also known as Core Ultra 300, is positioned as the successor to the Intel Arrow Lake-U/H series. It represents the final stage in Intel's ambitious "five nodes in four years" plan and features a redesigned memory controller integrated into the Compute Tile to address latency issues observed in the Arrow Lake series.

The Panther Lake processor boasts over 16 cores, utilizing Cougar Cove P-cores and Skymont/Darkmont E-cores, alongside up to 12 Xe3 (Celestial) integrated GPU cores. While it is not a successor to Lunar Lake, it marks a significant evolution as the follow-up to Arrow Lake.

Despite earlier rumors suggesting low yields for the Intel 18A process, former CEO Pat Gelsinger dismissed these claims on the X platform. Intel's leadership, including Michelle Johnston Holthaus and David Zinsner, confirmed that Panther Lake samples have been delivered to eight clients, all of whom successfully completed initial boot testing.