<p>➀ Intel's 18A manufacturing process reportedly suffers from defect densities three times higher than required for profitable yields, raising concerns about its Panther Lake CPU production; </p><p>➁ Yields improved from 5% in late 2024 to 10% in mid-2025, still far below the 50% threshold needed for acceptable profit margins; </p><p>➂ Despite public confidence in a Q4 2025 launch, internal challenges may force Intel to sell Panther Lake chips at low or negative margins initially.</p>