AMD has revealed plans for a next-generation Ryzen Z2 Extreme SoC, signaling a major leap forward for gaming handhelds. The announcement came during a joint Q&A session at IFA 2024, where AMD and Microsoft discussed the future of mobile gaming.
AMD aims to release the Z2 Extreme chip in early 2025, building upon the success of the Ryzen Z1 and Z1 Extreme processors that power popular handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally. This new chip promises significant upgrades, delivering improved performance and battery life, allowing gamers to enjoy extended sessions without sacrificing power.
AMD’s Jack Huynh expressed a desire for longer gameplay sessions, aiming to achieve three hours of continuous play on a handheld, a significant improvement over the current generation’s 45-minute limit. The Z2 Extreme is expected to feature up to 8 cores and 16 threads of Zen 5 CPU power, coupled with a powerful RDNA 3.5-based GPU, similar to the Strix Point APUs designed for mobile devices.
With Intel entering the mobile gaming arena with its new Core Ultra 200V series processors, AMD’s Z2 Extreme is poised to be a strong contender. This new chip, with its combination of powerful Zen 5 architecture and advanced RDNA 3.5 graphics, promises to deliver a compelling gaming experience for handheld users. The anticipation is high for the arrival of the Z2 Extreme in early 2025, and its impact on the future of gaming handhelds is eagerly awaited.
