Intel isn’t giving up on gaming graphics, and their next move could shake up the handheld gaming market. According to fresh leaks, the chipmaker is developing an Arc B380 GPU built on their new Xe3 architecture, specifically targeting devices like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. This isn’t just another budget desktop card – it’s Intel’s play for the exploding portable gaming segment.
The rumor comes from leaker Raichu on X, though the original post has since been deleted. Despite the vanishing evidence, the leak fits perfectly with Intel’s recent Panther Lake announcements and their broader strategy to compete in every gaming segment from budget desktops to high-end laptops.
What Makes the B380 Different
The Arc B380 would pack 12 Xe3 cores capable of running at up to 2.3GHz under full load. That’s the same core count as Intel’s Panther Lake integrated graphics announced in October 2025, which promised 50% faster graphics performance compared to the previous generation. The difference is in the application – this version would be optimized specifically for gaming handhelds rather than traditional laptops.
If the leak proves accurate, Intel will launch with six Arc GPUs in the Battlemage lineup. The B580 and B570 already hit the market in December 2024 as budget-friendly desktop cards. The B390 and B370 are confirmed for later release with 12 and 10 Xe3 cores respectively. The rumored B380 would slot between them, creating a well-rounded product stack from entry-level to mid-range.
What’s intriguing is Intel’s focus on gaming handhelds. This isn’t a desktop card being repurposed for mobile use. It’s being designed from the ground up for devices where power efficiency, heat management, and compact size matter as much as raw performance. That approach could give Intel advantages over competitors trying to scale down desktop architectures.
The Handheld Gaming Boom
Intel’s timing makes sense when you look at the portable gaming explosion. The Steam Deck proved there’s massive demand for PC gaming in handheld form. ASUS jumped in with the ROG Ally. Lenovo launched the Legion Go. MSI entered with the Claw. Suddenly, every major hardware manufacturer wants a piece of this market.
Right now, AMD dominates the space with custom APUs powering most popular handhelds. The Steam Deck uses AMD silicon. So does the ROG Ally. Intel tried to compete with the MSI Claw using Meteor Lake processors, but reviews were lukewarm at best. Performance lagged behind AMD’s offerings, and battery life disappointed users expecting all-day gaming sessions.
The B380 with Xe3 architecture represents Intel’s second attempt to crack this market with better technology. Panther Lake promises significant efficiency improvements alongside performance gains. If Intel can deliver AMD-level gaming performance with competitive battery life, handheld manufacturers will have a genuine alternative for their next-gen devices.
Panther Lake’s Foundation
To understand the B380’s potential, you need to know what Panther Lake brings to the table. Intel unveiled the architecture in October 2025 as their first AI PC platform built on the Intel 18A process node. The platform emphasizes balanced performance across CPU, GPU, and NPU components rather than favoring any single element.
The GPU side features up to 12 Xe3 cores delivering more than 50% faster graphics performance versus previous generation Meteor Lake chips. That’s a substantial jump, especially when combined with Lunar Lake-level power efficiency. For gaming handhelds where every watt matters, efficiency gains translate directly to longer gaming sessions between charges.
Panther Lake also packs up to 16 new P-cores and E-cores for 50% faster CPU performance. The platform achieves up to 180 Platform TOPS for AI acceleration, making it future-proof as games increasingly incorporate AI-driven features like DLSS-style upscaling and frame generation. Intel’s XeSS technology already supports AI upscaling, and Xe3 should make it even more effective.
Competition Heating Up
Intel isn’t competing in a vacuum. AMD is preparing next-generation APUs for handheld devices, likely based on their RDNA 4 architecture. NVIDIA has been rumored to enter the handheld space for years, though nothing concrete has materialized yet. Qualcomm is pushing Snapdragon X processors for Windows handhelds, targeting efficiency over raw gaming performance.
The Arc B580 and B570 desktop cards that launched in December 2024 showed Intel can deliver competitive performance at attractive prices. The B580 starts at $249 with 12GB of VRAM, undercutting NVIDIA and AMD equivalents while matching or exceeding their performance in many titles. If Intel brings that value proposition to handhelds, device makers will pay attention.
One advantage Intel has is their media encoding capabilities. The Xe architecture includes twin multi-format transcoders with extensive codec support including AV1, H.265, H.264 and VP9. For content creators who want to game and stream from a handheld device, those encoding engines become a differentiator that AMD’s current solutions can’t match.
The Uncertainty Factor
Before getting too excited, remember that Intel’s GPU track record includes some stumbles. The original Arc A-series launch in 2022 suffered from driver issues, delayed releases, and performance that didn’t always match expectations. The higher-end Battlemage cards like the B770 and B750 were reportedly cancelled, raising concerns about Intel’s commitment to the gaming GPU market.
The fact that the original leak has been deleted adds another layer of uncertainty. Sometimes leakers remove posts because they received incorrect information. Other times it’s due to pressure from manufacturers who don’t want unreleased products discussed publicly. Without the original source available for scrutiny, verifying the B380’s specifications and intended purpose becomes more difficult.
Intel also hasn’t officially acknowledged the B380 or confirmed their handheld gaming ambitions. Companies often test products internally that never make it to market. Even if the B380 is real and in development right now, Intel could decide to cancel it if testing reveals problems or if market conditions change.
What This Means for Gamers
If Intel successfully launches a competitive handheld GPU, consumers win. Competition drives innovation and keeps prices reasonable. AMD’s current dominance in the handheld space means they face little pressure to improve pricing or push performance boundaries aggressively. A credible Intel alternative changes that dynamic.
For device manufacturers, having multiple silicon vendors provides negotiating leverage and supply chain redundancy. If AMD can’t meet demand or raises prices, manufacturers can pivot to Intel. That flexibility benefits the entire ecosystem and should lead to more handheld options at various price points.
XeSS support across Intel GPUs also matters. As more games implement Intel’s upscaling technology, handhelds using Intel silicon gain a performance boost at high resolutions. Combine XeSS with the B380’s rumored specifications, and you’re looking at a chip that could handle 1080p gaming quite well, possibly even pushing 1200p or 1440p in less demanding titles.
FAQs
What is the Intel Arc B380?
The Arc B380 is a rumored GPU based on Intel’s Xe3 architecture, specifically designed for gaming handheld devices. It reportedly features 12 Xe3 cores running at up to 2.3GHz, positioned between the B390 and B370 in Intel’s lineup.
When will the Arc B380 launch?
There’s no official launch date since Intel hasn’t confirmed the B380’s existence. Given that Panther Lake platforms are expected throughout 2025 and into 2026, the B380 would likely arrive within that timeframe if the rumors are accurate.
How does the B380 compare to AMD’s handheld GPUs?
Direct comparisons are impossible without official specifications and benchmarks. However, the B380 would be based on Xe3 architecture promising 50% better graphics performance than previous Intel generations, which could make it competitive with AMD’s current handheld solutions.
Will the Arc B380 work in devices like Steam Deck?
The B380 would be designed for new gaming handheld devices, not as an upgrade for existing ones like the Steam Deck. Device manufacturers would need to design new handhelds around Intel’s platform to take advantage of the B380.
What’s the difference between B380, B390, and B370?
Based on leaks, all three use Xe3 architecture but with different configurations. The B390 has 12 Xe3 cores, the B370 has 10 cores, and the rumored B380 would have 12 cores but be specifically optimized for gaming handhelds rather than desktop or laptop use.
Is the leak reliable?
The leak comes from a source whose original post has been deleted, which raises credibility concerns. However, the specifications align with Intel’s announced Panther Lake capabilities, making it plausible even if not confirmed. Treat it as informed speculation until Intel makes official announcements.
What is Panther Lake?
Panther Lake is Intel’s upcoming processor platform built on their Intel 18A process node. It features up to 16 CPU cores, up to 12 Xe3 GPU cores, and enhanced AI capabilities with up to 180 Platform TOPS. It’s designed to balance performance and efficiency for laptops and potentially handheld devices.
Does Intel already make gaming GPUs?
Yes. Intel launched their Arc A-series desktop GPUs in 2022 and released the Arc B580 and B570 in December 2024. These target the budget and mid-range desktop gaming market, with the B580 starting at $249 and offering competitive 1440p gaming performance.
The Waiting Game
Whether the Arc B380 becomes reality or remains vapor remains to be seen. Intel has the technology foundation with Panther Lake’s Xe3 architecture. They have the motivation, given the handheld gaming market’s rapid growth. What they need now is successful execution – delivering a product that performs well, arrives on time, and offers compelling value to device manufacturers.
The handheld gaming space desperately needs competition. AMD’s dominance has been earned through good products and smart partnerships, but no market benefits from a single vendor controlling the entire segment. If Intel can deliver with the B380 or whatever they ultimately call their handheld GPU, the next generation of portable gaming devices should be more powerful, more efficient, and more affordable than ever.
For now, all we can do is watch for official announcements. Intel has major tech events coming up where they could reveal more about their handheld gaming plans. CES in January is always a possibility, or they might wait until Computex in June for a bigger stage. Until then, the B380 remains an intriguing possibility in Intel’s broader gaming strategy.