The handheld console market may be about to see some exciting new developments. Rumors suggest that AMD is developing the Ryzen Z3 and Ryzen Z3 Extreme , two chips designed specifically for handheld devices, rather than simply adapting processors for conventional laptops. The leaks indicate a semi-custom platform, featuring a different CPU configuration than the current Z2 Extreme and a more prominent graphics processing unit.
The data comes from a leak reported by VideoCardz and messages attributed to Gotou . None of this information has been officially confirmed by AMD, so it should be interpreted as a possible working plan rather than a definitive statement. In fact, the leakers themselves warn that the core configuration may have changed during development.
A semi-custom design with fewer cores and more graphics processing power
The proposed Ryzen Z3 architecture features four Zen 6 cores and two low-power cores . This results in a total of six cores and twelve threads, fewer than the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which combines eight cores and sixteen threads. This change shouldn't be interpreted as a loss of power: if the new architecture improves performance per watt, AMD could reduce the CPU size to allocate that space and energy to other parts of the chip.
The comparison with the Z2 Extreme is inevitable, but also misleading if you only look at the specs. That current model uses eight cores and sixteen threads , in addition to an RDNA 3.5 GPU with sixteen compute units. The rumored Z3 would have fewer cores and fewer CUs if the twelve graphics units are confirmed, although it would feature Zen 6 and RDNA 4m as arguments for efficiency and features. Without performance tests, there's no way to know how that will translate to gaming.
Leaks suggest the Ryzen Z3 originated from Medusa Point , AMD's upcoming family of mobile APUs. It would share IP blocks with that platform, but adapted for handheld consoles. For these chips, the portion of Zen 6c cores mentioned in Medusa Point would have been cut, and that silicon budget would have been redirected to the integrated graphics. This strategy aligns with a device whose primary purpose is to run games, not handle sustained CPU loads.
There's a nuance that shouldn't be overlooked. Although the idea of ​​four Zen 6 cores plus two low-power cores appears in several leaks, they don't all agree on identifying those last two. Some versions refer to low-power Zen 5 cores, while others include them within the Zen 6 family. The original message itself warned that the 4+2 configuration was provisional and subject to change.
RDNA 4m GPU, power consumption and packaging
In terms of graphics, the leak suggests up to 12 RDNA 4m compute units , compared to the eight linked to Medusa Point. This wouldn't be a desktop RDNA 4 GPU ported unchanged to a console, but rather an evolution of RDNA 3.5 with matrix compute units specific to RDNA 4. This combination could accelerate image reconstruction techniques, although AMD hasn't confirmed compatibility with any specific FSR version.
The figure of 12 CUs needs context. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme incorporates 16 RDNA 3.5 units , so the Z3 would have fewer graphics blocks if this figure holds. Even so, the architecture, frequencies, memory, and power budget can completely change the final result. A lower number on paper is not enough to conclude that the future chip will be slower.
RDNA 4m is not equivalent to a desktop Radeon either. Sources describe it as a derivative of RDNA 3.5 with RDNA 4 features , designed to maintain low power consumption. Its potential connection to FSR 4 is one of the most striking aspects, because in mobile devices, upscaling and image reconstruction can offer more benefits than a raw increase in graphics units. Even so, all of this remains unconfirmed.
Power consumption is another key factor. The Ryzen Z3 is expected to have a TDP of around 15W , while the Ryzen Z3 Extreme is projected to reach around 25W . These are leaked design targets, not definitive power consumption limits or the total power consumption of a console. For comparison, the Z2 Extreme allows you to configure its TDP between 15W and 35W in its official specifications, so simply combining these figures would lead to hasty conclusions.
- Ryzen Z3: Target close to 15W, aimed at more modest equipment.
- Ryzen Z3 Extreme: Target close to 25W, designed for configurations with more thermal margin.
- Current Z2 Extreme: TDP configurable between 15 and 35 W, according to official data.
The packaging would also change. A 25 × 25 mm FF6 package is mentioned , smaller than the FP8 used by the Z2 Extreme base and chips like the Strix Point. A more compact format might give manufacturers more freedom in board design, although it doesn't solely determine the final size of the device or its cooling requirements.
What is still unresolved and possible implications
AMD has not officially launched the Ryzen Z3 family nor released any specifications. Therefore, the six cores, 12 CUs, and 15 or 25 W TDP figures remain leaked information. There are also no benchmark results to compare a prototype with a console equipped with a Z2 Extreme processor, nor any data on clock speeds, cache, or memory bandwidth.
Final specifications, memory configurations, and confirmed devices are also still pending . It's unknown whether the Ryzen Z3 and Z3 Extreme will share the exact same 12 graphics units or if the lower-end model will have part of the GPU disabled. That decision could depend on the power headroom and the frequencies AMD chooses for each variant.
The Z2 family has been quite heterogeneous, with models supported by different generations of CPUs and GPUs. With Z3, however, there's talk of a platform more focused from the outset on portable gaming . If the leak is confirmed, AMD would stop reusing designs intended for conventional laptops and instead opt for a semi-custom chip for this segment.
In Spain and the rest of Europe, there is currently no confirmation of availability or release dates for systems with these processors. Any announcements from manufacturers would have to come after AMD officially unveils the platform. Until then, it's prudent to consider the Ryzen Z3 as a potential future option , not as a product ready for purchase.
Therefore, the leak suggests a new generation of processors that would reduce the number of cores and Compute Units (CUs) compared to the Z2 Extreme, but would switch to Zen 6, RDNA 4m, and a more compact FF6 package . The goal would be to gain efficiency and graphics capabilities rather than simply adding more blocks. Whether AMD confirms this, and how it will perform in real-world games, remains to be seen based on official data and independent testing.