AMD Set to Launch ARM-Based “Sound Wave” APUs by 2026 to Compete with NVIDIA’s AI PC Chips

AMD is making strides toward entering the ARM-based CPU market with its upcoming “Sound Wave”platform, which is slated for inclusion in the Microsoft Surface product line by 2026.

AMD’s Innovative Step into ARM Technology with Sound Wave

With AMD traditionally being a contender in the x86 architecture arena, the company’s pivot towards an ARM-based solution reflects a broader industry trend. Following the success of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon systems-on-chip (SoCs), AMD’s move signals a keen interest in diversifying its offerings. This strategic shift could allow the company to provide clients with a mix of high-performance x86 and energy-efficient ARM solutions. According to a recent post by @Jukanlosreve, AMD’s new ARM chips will operate under the “Sound Wave”brand, based on insights from prominent hardware leaker, Kepler_L2.

AMD’s ARM-based APU, codenamed “Sound Wave, ”is reportedly designed for Microsoft’s 2026 Surface lineup.https://t.co/zSiviqp56v

— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) May 14, 2025

The introduction of AMD’s ARM-based architecture seems to be a direct response to anticipated competition from NVIDIA, which is also developing ARM solutions targeted at AI applications. The company’s existing portfolio includes mobile x86 APUs, such as those in the Strix Halo series, making a foray into the ARM segment a logical business decision. Upcoming innovations within the “Sound Wave”project are expected to feature an RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU (iGPU) and utilize TSMC’s cutting-edge 3nm fabrication process—a competitive move paralleling NVIDIA’s rumored “N1X”SoCs.

NVIDIA & AMD Planning To Launch Arm-Based CPUs For Windows PCs, To Tackle Intel By 2025 1

Since the launch of ARM-friendly Windows, driven largely by Qualcomm’s innovations, Microsoft’s commitment to “Windows on ARM”has gained considerable momentum. The entry of AMD into this space is likely to further accelerate its growth. Interestingly, the “Sound Wave”initiative is not AMD’s first engagement with ARM technology. In 2014, the company unveiled Project Skybridge—a concept aimed at merging x86 and ARM architectures under one platform. However, it was ultimately scrapped due to insufficient market interest and economic viability.

While an official unveiling of AMD’s ARM-based APUs is yet to be announced, expectations are set for a reveal in conjunction with Microsoft’s Surface laptops by 2026. It is plausible that we might see AMD’s Sound Wave chips showcased either at the end of this year or during CES 2026, signaling a new era for the company in the ARM CPU landscape.

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