Intel’s next-generation mobile CPU series, Panther Lake, is beginning to take shape. Early benchmark data from LaptopReview reveals that engineering samples (ES) already approach the performance levels of Arrow Lake-H, while offering a substantial improvement in integrated graphics power efficiency and capability. Intel is reportedly preparing to launch the first Panther Lake SKUs later this year, with the full lineup expected to debut at CES 2026.
Two ES processors have surfaced: the Core Ultra X7 358H and Core Ultra 5 338H.
- Core Ultra X7 358H — 4 Performance cores (P-cores) and 12 Efficiency cores (E-cores), up to 4.8GHz boost.
- Core Ultra 5 338H — 4P + 8E design, max boost 4.7GHz.
Both chips target the 45W–65W TDP range, placing them in the high-performance mobile segment. They are compared against Arrow Lake-H counterparts: the Core Ultra 7 255H (6P+10E, 5.1GHz) and Core Ultra 5 225H (4P+10E, 4.9GHz). Test setup details such as cooling or memory configuration were not disclosed.
🧮 Multi-Threaded Performance (Cinebench R23) #
| Processor | Core Configuration | Max Frequency | TDP (W) | Cinebench R23 Multi-Threaded Score | Previous Generation Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Ultra X7 358H (Panther Lake ES) | 4P+12E | 4.8GHz | 65W | ~20,000 | Core Ultra 7 255H: ~21,826 (65W) |
| Core Ultra 5 338H (Panther Lake ES) | 4P+8E | 4.7GHz | 60W | ~16,000 | Core Ultra 5 225H: ~17,988 (65W) |
These early results place Panther Lake’s performance slightly below its Arrow Lake-H predecessors but within the same performance tier. Considering that these are engineering samples, frequency and power tuning are likely still ongoing.
🔋 Efficiency and Power Optimization #
According to Intel’s internal projections cited by LaptopReview, Panther Lake could deliver up to 30% lower power consumption than Arrow Lake-H while maintaining comparable compute performance. If verified, this would mark one of Intel’s largest mobile efficiency improvements in recent years—an essential milestone for next-generation thin-and-light notebooks.
🚀 Integrated Graphics: Intel’s Biggest Leap Yet #
Perhaps the most impressive part of the leak lies in graphics performance.
Panther Lake’s 12-core Xe3 iGPU achieved roughly 6,830 points in 3DMark Time Spy, an 8.5% uplift over an earlier ES (≈6,300 points).
In comparison:
- +55% faster than Lunar Lake’s 8 Xe2 GPU (~4,396 points)
- Nearly 2× faster than AMD’s Radeon 890M (16 RDNA 3.5 units, ~3,489 points)
This marks a major leap for Intel’s integrated graphics, potentially positioning Panther Lake laptops as capable light gaming or GPU-accelerated productivity systems without discrete GPUs—a significant shift in mobile platform competitiveness.
⚠️ Context and Caveats #
All data should be treated as preliminary. Cooling solutions, driver maturity, and TDP limits can heavily affect scores. Engineering samples are not final silicon—Intel often refines power curves and thermal behavior prior to release.
Still, the consistency of recent leaks suggests that the performance direction is stable.
🗓️ Launch Timeline and Architecture Overview #
Intel’s roadmap indicates Q4 2025 availability for the first Panther Lake models, targeting high-end thin-and-light and mobile workstation systems.
They will feature:
- Intel 18A process technology
- Next-gen Xe3 GPU architecture
- Improved Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI acceleration
The full product lineup, from U-series to H-series, is expected to roll out by CES 2026.
✨ Conclusion #
Early benchmarks show Panther Lake maintaining Arrow Lake-class CPU performance while delivering significantly better power efficiency and class-leading integrated graphics. If these trends hold in final silicon, Intel may finally close the long-standing iGPU performance gap with AMD and redefine the expectations for high-performance mobile platforms worldwide.