Intel Confirms Panther Lake Production Timeline: No Delays, H2 Launch and Volume Production Expected by 2026

Intel has recently addressed concerns regarding its Panther Lake and 18A developments, dismissing speculation about yield rates and potential production delays, affirming that their schedule remains intact.

Intel Affirms Panther Lake SoCs Are On Schedule; 18A Process To Begin External Tape-Out By H1-2025

Intel’s foundry division has been the center of attention lately, especially with the latest advancements in their 18A technology and Panther Lake mobile processor lineup. Reports only days ago suggested a production setback for Panther Lake, pushing availability for consumer products into the next year, leading many to question the viability of the 18A process.

However, during a recent Morgan Stanley conference, John Pitzer, Intel’s Corporate Vice President of Investor Relations, refuted these claims. He assured stakeholders that Panther Lake is progressing as planned and that recent rumors about delays are unfounded. Notably, yield rates for Panther Lake are reportedly surpassing those of Meteor Lake at the same stage, indicating a smoother transition into mass production.

Yes, it is. I mean, I tend to wake up every morning trying to fish through rumors that are coming across on X or on social media about Intel 18A. I want to be very clear. Panther Lake is on track to launch in the second half of this year. That launch date has not changed.

We feel really good about the progress that we are making. In fact, if you look at where our yields are on Panther Lake today, they’re actually slightly ahead at a similar point in time to Meteor Lake.

The significance of Panther Lake cannot be overstated, as it will be Intel’s inaugural product utilizing the 18A technology. The performance outcomes of these semiconductors are crucial for the future viability of the Intel Foundry, making the public eye keenly focused on both Panther Lake and consumer reactions. Regarding the launch timeline, Pitzer confirmed that while Panther Lake is set for a second-half release, peak production volume won’t materialize until 2026, mirroring the timelines seen with earlier products like Lunar Lake and Meteor Lake.

Now I’ll remind you that we will launch Panther Lake in the second half of this year […].And as we’ve said on Panther Lake, we launched in the second half of this year, but it’s really not until next year that we get to that volumes […].

With clarity established surrounding Panther Lake, Pitzer shifted focus to the 18A process. He highlighted that it is poised to compete directly with TSMC’s N2 products, especially given the SRAM density advancements achieved by Intel. Furthermore, customer sample shipments are anticipated in the latter half of the year, indicating that Intel has secured sufficient yield rates necessary for initiating mass production.

For Intel Foundry Services (IFS), successfully launching the next process is pivotal. Considering the current political dynamics affecting the semiconductor sector, any missteps in product releases could have significant repercussions. Therefore, maintaining a steady hand on future product launches is of utmost importance for Intel’s ongoing strategy.

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