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AMD Ryzen Z2 Series Released; New Super-Fast Processors for Next-Gen Handhelds

By / Tech / June 13, 2025

AMD has launched a new Z2 processor for portable gaming consoles, and this is very exciting news for upcoming handhelds!

AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors have been released for handhelds (Image via Microsoft)
AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors have been released for handhelds (Image via Microsoft)

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has released a new lineup of processors aimed at elevating the computing experiences possible on portable devices, specifically gaming handhelds.

The Ryzen Z2 Series is out and has already been introduced for a few new devices. Let’s check out what’s new by discussing the specifications, features, and the devices that support these new processors.

Ryzen Z2 Series: Features

AMD Ryzen Z2 Series features (Image via AMD)
AMD Ryzen Z2 Series features (Image via AMD)

AMD has launched five different processors under the Z2 series. These processors are designed primarily for handheld PC gaming devices, engineered to deliver impressive efficiency that ensures stable performance on the go while running on batteries. Additionally, AMD segments these processors into four distinct classes:

  • AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme: Offers the ultimate performance for elite handhelds, with support for AI features.
  • AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme: Also offers ultimate performance and will be used for elite handhelds, but doesn’t have AI features.
  • AMD Ryzen Z2: Described as a processor for high-performance handhelds, it features lower performance than the Z2 Extreme but still offers great capabilities for the device it’s used in.
  • AMD Ryzen Z2A: Designed for handhelds that primarily optimize battery life.

The new Z2 Series processors feature up to Zen 5 core architecture. These processors also include integrated graphics, and these are no slouch like most iGPUs — instead, there is RDNA 3.5 graphics architecture in the latest Z2 processors. However, note that the base variants use RDNA 3 or RDNA 2 graphics instead. The lower-end variants also have varying CPU architectures, with the Z2A using the Zen 2 core architecture.

AMD claims that handhelds featuring Z2 Series processors give people “the power to play virtually any PC game” wherever they want. The new Ryzen Z2 Series processors support FidelityFX Super Resolution and HYPR-RX, technologies that significantly improve gaming performance.

AMD Ryzen Z2 Series: Specifications

AMD Ryzen Z2 Series features up to Zen 5 core architecture (Image via AMD)
AMD Ryzen Z2 Series features up to Zen 5 core architecture (Image via AMD)

The new Ryzen Z2 Series processors will be available in five different variants. Manufacturers will choose a different chip based on the price point and intended use case for the handheld. Here are the full specifications of each processor in the Ryzen Z2 Series lineup:

Here’s your data presented in a table for better readability:

Processor NameGPU ArchitectureGraphics CoresCPU ArchitectureCPU Cores & ThreadsTDP Configuration RangeNPU Performance
AMD Ryzen AI Z2 ExtremeAMD RDNA 3.516Zen 58 cores, 16 threads15-35WUp to 50 TOPS
AMD Ryzen Z2 ExtremeAMD RDNA 3.516Zen 58 cores, 16 threads15-35WN/A
AMD Ryzen Z2AMD RDNA 312Zen 48 cores, 16 threads15-30WN/A
AMD Ryzen Z2 GoAMD RDNA 212Zen 3+4 cores, 8 threads15-30WN/A
AMD Ryzen Z2 AAMD RDNA 28Zen 24 cores, 8 threads6-20WN/A

Which New Handhelds Feature AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Series Processors?

New Microsoft Xbox ROG Ally feature Z2 Series chips (Image via Microsoft)
New Microsoft Xbox ROG Ally feature Z2 Series chips (Image via Microsoft)

Support for AMD Ryzen Z2 Series processors will depend on the manufacturer. New devices have already been announced. Microsoft’s new Xbox portable handheld gaming console, known as the Xbox ROG Ally handhelds, features the latest Z2 Series chips from AMD. The Xbox ROG Ally X has the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, which, as described earlier, has 8 cores and 16 threads with RDNA 3.5 graphics.

The base Xbox ROG Ally has an AMD Ryzen Z2A processor, which is considerably lower-end than the Ally X, with only 4 cores and 8 threads and RDNA 2 graphics. Similarly, Lenovo has also unveiled the Legion Go S with Ryzen Z2 Series processors. Expect to see AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Series featured in more handhelds as we move forward into this exciting era of portable gaming consoles!

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