According to PC Games shipping manifests spotted by leaker Olrak29_ show test kits labelled with “SWV” and a new “FF5” socket, which is tipped to replace the FF3 socket found in devices like the Steam Deck. The chips use the BGA1074 socket and measure 32 x 27mm, all signs pointing to system-on-chip designs with integrated GPUs.

Soundwave marks AMD’s first serious Arm push since its half-baked Opteron A1100 and scrapped K12 efforts nearly a decade ago. At the time, the company never made it past the server niche, but the current gaming handheld boom and the need for more efficient silicon could finally give AMD a reason to care.

With no x86 licensing baggage and lower power demands, Arm SoCs are already the go-to for tablets, phones, and hybrid consoles. If the FF5 socket rumour holds up, it could mean AMD is looking to establish a new Arm platform for portable gaming devices, or even baiting OEMs building Surface-style ultra-thins.

This would also open the door for AMD to diversify away from its usual x86 desktop and laptop turf, where it’s been eating into Chipzilla’s share. While x86 still rules the gaming PC roost, Soundwave might be the start of AMD's broader push into a growing chunk of silicon real estate that doesn’t run hot enough to fry eggs.

For now, it’s still all smoke and shipping labels. But if the leaks are accurate, we might soon see AMD throw something very different into the handheld ring.