AMD Announces “AI-Focused” Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme SoC for Gaming Handhelds to Compete with Intel’s Lunar Lake

AMD is reportedly gearing up to release an exciting new variant within its Ryzen Z2 family of handheld-focused APUs, with a particular emphasis on boosting AI capabilities.

AMD’s Upcoming Ryzen Z2 APU Series: Enhanced AI Performance on the Horizon

It appears that AMD, also known as Team Red, is unwavering in its quest to excel in the handheld gaming market. Following the recent introduction of the Z2 APU series, the company is expected to elevate performance standards even further. While the official specifications of the Z2 System-on-Chips (SoCs) have been disclosed, there are whispers of a potentially groundbreaking model in the works. According to well-known leaker @AnhPhuH, this new variant could be named the “Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme, ”promising significantly improved AI performance compared to its standard counterparts.

Ryzen Z2Ryzen Z2 ARyzen Z2 GoRyzen Z2 ExtremeRyzen AI Z2 Extreme

— Hoang Anh Phu (@AnhPhuH) April 3, 2025

While the demand for AI processing power in handheld devices may not be omnipresent, AMD’s pivot towards this area appears to be a strategic move to compete with Intel’s Lunar Lake SoCs, which are known for their commendable AI performance outputs. Generally, the Z2 series chips will come with NPUs deactivated in gaming handhelds. However, the anticipated Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme might introduce a new level of AI acceleration that could captivate the market.

The leaker has also indicated the existence of a Ryzen Z2 A model, although detailed specifications remain elusive at this time. Based on the performance hierarchy shared, the Ryzen Z2 A is expected to be positioned as a more affordable alternative that still incorporates an NPU, thus enabling handheld devices to efficiently run applications demanding AI TOPS. With five SoCs anticipated in the Z2 family, vendors will have an ample selection to meet diverse consumer needs.

Specifications at a Glance

As the flagship chip of the Z2 lineup, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme will come equipped with:

8 cores and 16 threads
A maximum boost clock speed of 5.0 GHz
24 MB of cache
A thermal design power (TDP) range of 15 to 35W
16 RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU cores

This chip is built on the “Strix Point”die, marking it as the first Zen5 chip aimed at handheld devices. Following the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, the lineup will include the Z2 Go and the standard Z2 models, utilizing the Rembrandt and Hawk Point dies, respectively. For additional insights into these SoCs, you can explore further.

For more information, refer to the news source: Videocardz.

Additionally, check out the source and images at Wccftech.