AMD's Z2 Extreme processor will upgrade handheld PC gaming early next year

AMD's Z2 Extreme APU is set to enhance handheld gaming PC performance starting early next year. The new APU will succeed the Z1 Extreme that powers the Asus ROG Ally and will likely be based on AMD's Zen 5 Strix Point architecture.

In early benchmarks, the Strix Point 890M graphics chip shows significant performance boosts, making it possible to play demanding games like Doom Eternal and Red Dead Redemption 2 at acceptable framerates. The GPD Pocket 4 is the only confirmed handheld PC using the Strix Point, but AMD and Microsoft are collaborating with multiple hardware partners, potentially leading to an Asus ROG Ally 2 release next year.

Battery life improvements and AI capabilities are major focuses for AMD, with the Z2 Extreme expected to offer three hours of game time on a single charge for titles like Black Myth Wukong. The updated architecture includes NPUs capable of up to 50 TOPs for enhanced performance, in addition to similar advancements expected from competing Intel Lunar Lake and Hawk Point series chips.