In June 2026, Amazon EC2 expanded its instance offerings with the M8i and M8i-flex models powered by exclusive custom Intel Xeon 6 processors, delivering improved performance and up to 2.5 times more memory bandwidth over prior Intel-based generations. The M8i-flex instances suit general-purpose workloads not fully utilizing compute resources, while M8i instances handle demanding, continuous high CPU use cases up to the new 96xlarge size, including SAP-certified variants.
Amazon claimed up to 20% better compute performance over the M7i generation, with notable speed gains in PostgreSQL databases, NGINX web applications, and AI deep learning recommendation models. These enhancements target workloads such as microservices, virtual desktops, and enterprise applications. Independent verification of performance improvements beyond vendor claims was not disclosed.
Source & further reading
Amazon EC2 M8i and M8i-flex instances are now available in Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region ↗Source published 2026-06-01. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.