Rumored Delay of Intel’s Panther Lake SoCs to Mid-Q4 2025 Due to 18A Process Issues

Recent insights from a leading analyst have revealed that Intel’s Panther Lake mobile System on Chips (SoCs) are likely to face delays. These concerns primarily stem from performance issues associated with the new 18A process technology.

The Panther Lake Launch Pushed to 2026 Amid 18A Performance Woes

Intel, often referred to as Team Blue, appears to be encountering significant challenges with the anticipated launch of its Panther Lake series. Initially slated for a release in the second half of 2025, reports indicate that this timeline may now extend into mid-Q4 2026. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has flagged this situation, signaling that the delay could adversely impact Intel’s quarterly earnings, particularly as it navigates an increasingly competitive landscape.

Given the typical 2–4 week gap between chip and finished product (PC/NB) shipments, PTL notebooks may not become widely available until 2026, implying that Intel will miss the crucial year-end holiday sales season in 2025 and 2H25 revenue and profit will face downside risks.

– Ming-Chi Kuo

Concerns regarding Intel’s 18A process have also been echoed by industry insiders, citing stagnant yield rates that hover between 20% and 30%.These figures suggest that Intel may struggle to reach necessary production levels within the established timelines, thereby jeopardizing the Panther Lake launch.

In the interim, Intel must now heavily rely on the performance of its Arrow Lake architecture to maintain market presence, especially against forthcoming products from competitors like Qualcomm and AMD. This situation puts Intel at a distinct disadvantage, as lacking robust competition could lead to diminished market share and revenue downturns. Hence, the urgency for Intel to address these manufacturing challenges cannot be overstated.

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