Intel’s next-generation Arrow Lake processors are starting to surface in the wild, and early benchmark results for the mid-range Core Ultra 7 255U and Core Ultra 5 155U are turning heads. Leaked tests reveal notable multi-threaded performance uplifts over their predecessors, signaling promising efficiency gains for thin-and-light laptops in 2025.
Both chips belong to Intel’s upcoming U-series lineup (15W TDP), targeting premium ultraportables. The Core Ultra 7 255U features a hybrid architecture with 10 cores (2 P-cores + 8 E-cores), while the Core Ultra 5 155U scales down to 8 cores (2 P-cores + 6 E-cores). Early Geekbench 6 results show the 255U hitting ~2,500 in multi-core tests—a 22% jump over the Meteor Lake Ultra 7 155U. The 155U isn’t far behind, scoring ~2,100, roughly 15% higher than its predecessor. Single-core improvements are milder (5-7%), aligning with Intel’s focus on threaded workloads like content creation and multitasking.
Power efficiency appears refined too. Tests under sustained loads show both chips maintaining higher clock speeds while drawing less voltage than current-gen equivalents. This could translate to cooler, quieter devices—and better battery life—for everyday users.
Real-World Context
These gains aren’t just theoretical. The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 16, one of the first devices spotted with Arrow Lake silicon, leverages the Core Ultra 7 255U for surprisingly nimble photo editing and 4K video playback in early hands-on trials.
See how the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 harnesses Arrow Lake in Notebookcheck’s exclusive review here.
Industry watchers note Arrow Lake’s biggest win might be its timing. With Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite making waves in AI workloads, Intel’s responsive multi-thread boost helps maintain competitiveness in raw productivity. The 255U’s NPU also hits 45 TOPS (up from 10 TOPS in Meteor Lake), though AI benchmarks remain scarce.
The Bottom Line
While full reviews are weeks away, early data suggests Arrow Lake’s U-series could deliver the most tangible generational leap in years for productivity-focused laptops. If thermals and battery life hold up in retail units, the Core Ultra 7 255U might become the new sweet spot for professionals—and the 155U a value dark horse.
Update: Intel has confirmed a formal launch window of "late Q3 2025" for Arrow Lake consumer SKUs.
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