AMD has officially expanded its Ryzen Z2 handheld chip lineup with two compelling new additions: the high-performance Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and the energy-efficient Ryzen Z2 A, catering to both ends of the portable gaming spectrum. These new System-on-Chips (SoCs) mark a significant evolution in AMD’s strategy for handheld gaming and AI integration.
Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme: AI-Enhanced Powerhouse for Next-Gen Handhelds
The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme is AMD’s first handheld-specific SoC equipped with a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), enabling advanced AI workloads on the go. This chip is a direct enhancement of the original Ryzen Z2 Extreme, retaining the robust specifications of:
- 8 Zen 5 CPU cores & 16 threads
- 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores
With the addition of the NPU, it can handle up to 50 TOPs of AI performance, a first in the handheld gaming segment. This brings AI-driven features like dynamic upscaling, intelligent power management, and advanced user experiences directly into portable consoles.
Although AMD hasn’t released raw performance benchmarks, the GPU setup suggests it will perform similarly to the Radeon 890M, making it one of the most capable chips for portable gaming to date.
Ryzen Z2 A: Affordable Efficiency with Proven Tech
Targeting the entry-level market, the Ryzen Z2 A is AMD’s budget-friendly offering. It scales down on specs but still delivers a solid experience for casual gamers and ultra-efficient devices:
- 4 Zen 2 CPU cores & 8 threads
- 8 RDNA 2 GPU cores
- Operates in a 6W–20W TDP range
This chip resembles the APU found in the Steam Deck and is ideal for handhelds prioritizing battery life over raw horsepower. Despite its modest architecture, it maintains compatibility with many modern games and applications, particularly for streaming and cloud gaming use cases.
A Versatile Z2 Lineup for Diverse Needs
The updated Ryzen Z2 series now includes five distinct SKUs:
- Ryzen Z2 Extreme – High-end Zen 5, RDNA 3.5
- Ryzen Z2 – Zen 4, RDNA 3.5
- Ryzen Z2 Go – Zen 3+, RDNA 3 (Lenovo exclusive)
- Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme – Zen 5, RDNA 3.5 + NPU
- Ryzen Z2 A – Zen 2, RDNA 2 (Budget/entry-tier)
Notably, the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and Z2 variants support memory speeds up to 8000 MT/s, surpassing previous models by up to 1600 MHz. Their TDP range of 15–30W ensures they fit performance-centric handhelds like high-refresh consoles and x86-based portable PCs.
Looking Ahead
These additions reaffirm AMD’s commitment to shaping the future of portable gaming and AI integration. As 2025 progresses, expect hardware manufacturers to release new and upgraded handhelds powered by these chips, improving both performance and battery efficiency.
Gamers, creators, and developers alike can look forward to a new wave of powerful, versatile, and AI-ready handheld devices this year.