Samsung made a bold statement at CES 2026 on Monday, unveiling the Galaxy Book 6 laptop series as the flagship showcase for Intel's groundbreaking Core Ultra Series 3 processors—the first consumer chips manufactured using Intel's advanced 18A process node. The announcement positions Samsung as the premier launch partner for what Intel calls its most important chip generation in a decade.

The Galaxy Book 6 family, which begins shipping later this month, promises to deliver unprecedented combinations of performance and battery life. Samsung's top-tier model claims up to 30 hours of video playback on a single charge—a figure that would set a new benchmark for ultraportable productivity laptops if validated by real-world testing.

Intel 18A: The Chip That Changes Everything

At the heart of the Galaxy Book 6's appeal is Intel's Core Ultra Series 3 platform, which represents a watershed moment for the chipmaker. The 18A process node—named for its 1.8-nanometer equivalent density—is Intel's response to years of manufacturing struggles and represents the company's bid to reclaim technological leadership from Taiwan's TSMC.

"This is the culmination of four years of work and billions of dollars in investment. Core Ultra Series 3 on Intel 18A isn't just a new chip—it's proof that American semiconductor manufacturing is back."

— Intel executive at CES 2026

Key specifications of the Core Ultra Series 3 platform:

  • Process technology: Intel 18A (1.8nm equivalent), designed and manufactured in the United States
  • Performance: 1.3x faster multitasking than previous generation
  • Content creation: 1.7x faster in creative workloads like video editing
  • AI processing: Integrated NPU capable of 75+ TOPS (trillion operations per second)
  • Power efficiency: Up to 35% better performance-per-watt than competitors

Samsung's Implementation

Samsung's Galaxy Book 6 lineup consists of three models, each targeting different user needs while sharing the new Intel platform:

Galaxy Book 6 Pro 16" - The flagship model features a stunning 3K AMOLED display, up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, and the full 30-hour battery life claim. This is the model designed to compete directly with Apple's MacBook Pro and showcase the platform's maximum capabilities.

Galaxy Book 6 Ultra 15.6" - Positioned as a creative powerhouse, this model adds discrete GPU options for users who need more graphics horsepower. Battery life drops to approximately 18 hours due to the additional components, but performance in creative applications increases substantially.

Galaxy Book 6 Standard 14" - The most portable option in the lineup offers 24 hours of battery life in a lighter chassis, making it ideal for frequent travelers who prioritize mobility over maximum screen size.

AI Features Take Center Stage

Samsung has positioned the Galaxy Book 6 as an "AI PC," leveraging both the chip's integrated neural processing unit and Samsung's own software ecosystem. Features include:

  • Live translation: Real-time translation of video calls in 16 languages without cloud connectivity
  • Photo editing: AI-powered object removal, background replacement, and enhancement tools
  • Writing assistant: Context-aware writing suggestions and summarization
  • Voice commands: Natural language control of system functions and applications
  • Smart search: Semantic search across local files, photos, and documents

Critically, all these AI features run locally on the device, addressing privacy concerns that have made some users hesitant to adopt cloud-based AI tools. The 75+ TOPS neural processing capability means complex AI tasks complete in seconds rather than requiring cloud round-trips.

Pricing and Availability

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Book 6 family began January 6, 2026, with systems scheduled to ship starting January 27. Pricing positions the lineup competitively against Apple and other premium Windows laptops:

  • Galaxy Book 6 Standard 14": Starting at $1,199
  • Galaxy Book 6 Pro 16": Starting at $1,599
  • Galaxy Book 6 Ultra 15.6": Starting at $2,199

Samsung is offering launch promotions including free Galaxy Buds 3 Pro with Pro model purchases and enhanced trade-in values for existing Samsung laptop owners.

The Competitive Landscape

The Galaxy Book 6's arrival intensifies competition in the premium Windows laptop market. Lenovo, Dell, HP, and ASUS are all expected to announce their own Intel 18A-based systems at CES, but Samsung's position as the lead launch partner gives it a head start with consumers.

The 30-hour battery claim is particularly significant. Apple's M3 MacBook Pro, currently the battery life leader among premium laptops, offers approximately 22 hours of video playback. If Samsung's claims hold up, it would represent a meaningful advantage for users who prioritize all-day (and into the night) productivity.

What This Means for Intel

For Intel, the Galaxy Book 6 launch represents vindication after years of skepticism. The company's manufacturing struggles led many analysts to question whether Intel could ever catch up to TSMC. The successful launch of 18A-based consumer products—on schedule and at scale—demonstrates that Intel's turnaround strategy is working.

Intel's stock has already reflected this optimism, rising more than 40% over the past six months as investors gained confidence in the 18A program. The successful CES launch and Samsung's prominent endorsement should further cement the narrative that Intel is back in the game.

The Bottom Line

Samsung's Galaxy Book 6 is more than just a new laptop—it's a statement piece for both Samsung and Intel. The combination of cutting-edge American-made processors, industry-leading battery life, and comprehensive AI capabilities positions the device as a genuine MacBook alternative for Windows users.

Whether the Galaxy Book 6 can deliver on its ambitious promises will become clear once units reach reviewers and consumers later this month. But based on the CES unveiling, both Samsung and Intel have reason to be optimistic about the Windows laptop market's trajectory in 2026.