Handheld gaming PC users may be familiar with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, which powers devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. This processor was released in 2023, so a new and improved model could be a game-changer and something new to (yet again) challenge Valve’s popular Steam Deck, which gets by just fine on even older hardware.
So far, AMD has already rolled out Zen 5-based desktop and laptop processors – the Ryzen 9000 series and the Ryzen AI 300 APUs. So it is only a matter of time before AMD releases a Zen 5-based successor to the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU.
Ryzen Z2 Extreme is on the way, 8-core configuration leaked
As AMD hinted at the IFA 2024, it has been working on the next APU, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme; it will be launched in early 2025. Much like the name suggests, this APU is the direct successor to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, which has been powering the current-gen Windows handhelds. And now, a recent leak from the NBD shipping manifest seems to reveal some interesting specs about the upcoming APU.
X user @Olrak29_ shared a post where the NBD shipping manifest shows a “Z2X28W” with a “100-000001684” ID. In case you didn’t know, “Z2X” is the codename for the Z2 Extreme APU. As you can see, the processor will have 8 cores and a TDP of 28W. For reference, the Z1 Extreme also features 8 cores (16 threads), but with a lower 15W TDP.
Another thing that this shipping manifest seems to confirm is that AMD is working on the APU as they promised. On top of that, Jack Hyunh, the Senior VP at AMD, wants improved gaming performance and battery life of handhelds, quoted as saying “I need to play a Wukong for three hours, not 60 minutes”.
With the suggestion that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU will feature eight cores (3+5) along with hyperthreading and 16MB cache, we will certainly see improved gaming performance. Further, like the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU, the iGPU in Z2 Extreme APU will also be based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture and will likely benefit from the introduction of AFMF 2 (AMD’s frame gen tech).
Enough to challenge the Steam Deck?
The Steam Deck has seen plenty of competition in the time since its launch, remaining highly popular and relevant all the way – the poll at the bottom of this article demonstrates that. Most Windows handhelds haven’t quite been able to compare to the lightweight and efficient SteamOS, nor the ongoing and frequent dev support for the Deck, despite its older Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architecture.
However, with the launch of Z2 Extreme coming next year, it could finally provide the perfect balance of high performance and battery life that’s missing from the market, hopefully without the high price tag. Devices like the ROG Ally X doubled the battery capacity of its predecessor, but the $800 price tag is not for everyone.
Overall, the future looks quite promising for the handheld gaming PC segment. So far, we have seen MSI Claw 8 AI+, which will feature a Lunar Lake processor. The newly-announced Acer Nitro Blaze will be powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS. Considering that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme will likely be launched next year, we will see next-gen handhelds sporting this APU.
