Intel is making a bold move into the handheld gaming market with its new Arc G-series processors. This means that gamers looking for an alternative to AMD's popular Zen-based chips may now have another option.

The company’s entry comes at a time when most handhelds, like the Steam Deck clone, rely on AMD silicon. Intel is leveraging its Arc B-series integrated GPUs and has partnered with companies like MSI, Acer, and OneXPlayer to bring these new processors to market starting in June 2026.

Notably, Intel's 'Arc' brand for this project encompasses more than just the GPU; it includes the CPU, NPU, and other components. This is a significant departure from its usual branding practices, showing a clear strategy shift into gaming hardware.

The G-series chips are similar to Intel’s current Core Ultra Series 3 chips in terms of architecture but with tailored core combinations for better performance in compact devices. While these processors won’t be available everywhere right away, the company is optimistic about broader availability throughout the year.