AMD plans to add a significant product to its Ryzen Z2 APU series—the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme. This new chip will focus on enhancing AI performance, bringing stronger computing capabilities to handheld gaming devices. Gamers have reason to anticipate that this could be a major upgrade in the handheld device sector.
Since its release, the Ryzen Z2 series has gained market recognition for its outstanding performance. The flagship model, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, features 8 CPU cores and 16 threads, with a maximum boost frequency of 5.0 GHz. It is equipped with 24 MB of cache and 16 integrated GPU cores based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture. Its power consumption ranges from 15W to 35W. Based on the advanced “Strix Point” design and utilizing the Zen 5 architecture, it is the first Zen 5 chip designed specifically for handheld devices. In addition to the flagship model, the Z2 series includes the Z2 Go and the standard Z2, based on the Rembrandt and Hawk Point designs, respectively. The former has 4 cores and 8 threads with 12 GPU cores, while the latter maintains 8 cores and 16 threads but reduces the GPU core count to 12. These chips offer diversified performance options for handheld devices.
The upcoming Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme takes it a step further. According to well-known leakers, this chip, while maintaining the core specifications of the Z2 Extreme, adds a built-in NPU (Neural Processing Unit), which is expected to enhance AI computing capabilities. Although the demand for AI performance in handheld gaming devices is relatively limited, AMD’s move is clearly aimed at responding to Intel’s Lunar Lake challenge, which has gained some market recognition for its high AI TOPS (trillions of operations per second). Typically, the NPU in the Z2 series is disabled in handheld gaming devices, but the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme will break this convention, providing some form of AI acceleration. This will not only meet the needs of running AI-related applications but also potentially bring new possibilities for future game optimization or content creation.
Furthermore, leaks also mention a mysterious Ryzen Z2 A model. Although specific details have not been released, based on performance rankings, this chip is likely positioned in the “cost-effective” market. It also features an NPU, but its core specifications may be adjusted to reduce costs while retaining AI computing capabilities. Based on current information, the Z2 series now has five SoCs (System on Chips), including the Z2, Z2 A, Z2 Go, Z2 Extreme, and the newly revealed Z2 AI Extreme. This rich product lineup provides device manufacturers with greater flexibility, allowing them to find suitable solutions for both high-end flagship and entry-level handheld devices.
From a technical standpoint, the addition of the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme NPU means that devices can handle more AI tasks locally, such as real-time image enhancement, voice recognition, or intelligent in-game optimization. In comparison, Intel’s Lunar Lake NPU is said to provide up to 48 TOPS of AI computing power, while AMD has not yet released the specific TOPS data for the Z2 AI Extreme. However, considering that the Z2 Extreme already uses the Zen 5 architecture and RDNA 3.5 graphics technology, its overall performance foundation is quite solid. With the addition of the NPU, it is expected to find a better balance between power consumption and efficiency.
In terms of market strategy, AMD’s handheld chip strategy is accelerating. The Ryzen Z1 series helped devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go gain prominence, and the launch of the Z2 series further solidifies its position. According to statistics, by early 2025, the global handheld gaming device market has exceeded $5 billion, with an annual growth rate of over 15%. AMD clearly hopes to leverage the AI features of the Z2 AI Extreme to capture a larger share of this rapidly expanding market.
For gamers, the significance of the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme lies not only in performance improvements but also in its potential application scenarios. The introduction of AI technology may drive game developers to explore new design ideas, such as more intelligent NPC behavior or more efficient graphics rendering. Additionally, the low-power design will extend the battery life of handheld devices. For example, the Z2 Extreme, in 15W mode, can already achieve stable 40-50 frames per second performance in large games like “Cyberpunk 2077,” and AI acceleration may further optimize the experience.
Currently, the specific release date of the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme has not been determined, but industry insiders expect it to debut in mid-2025 and soon be featured in the next generation of handheld devices. AMD showcased the initial plans for the Z2 series at CES 2025, promising that the first devices equipped with Z2 chips will be launched in the first quarter, laying the foundation for the subsequent release of the Z2 AI Extreme. Whether it’s to compete with Intel or to meet gamers’ pursuit of ultimate performance, this new chip is worth close attention. The future of the handheld gaming market may become even more exciting with the help of AI.