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MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: two-minute review
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is a high-octane handheld gaming console that can run a variety of PC and Xbox games from numerous game stores. With its Intel Arc G3 Extreme chipset — boasting the Intel Arc B390 GPU and a robust 32GB RAM — it stands out as one of the most powerful portable consoles available today. However, this performance comes at a hefty price tag, comparable to two Steam Deck OLEDs or a mid-range gaming laptop.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ not only looks stunning but also performs exceptionally well. Its extensive eight-inch screen showcases rich colors and a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The RGB lighting around the asymmetrically placed thumbsticks and the unique Void Purple colorway further enhance its visual appeal.
Beyond aesthetics, the design elements are thoughtfully executed. The Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers promise greater durability and responsiveness. Weighing in at just 1.73 lbs (786g), it’s surprisingly light for its size, though the laser-etched grips may lead to sweaty hands during extended use.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ shines with its performance, being the first handheld to feature the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chipset. Benchmarks reveal that it can outperform recent competitors like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X by a significant margin, offering a notable increase in graphics performance.
In actual gameplay, titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 run seamlessly on Ultra settings, averaging around 38fps. Meanwhile, newer releases such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 exhibit solid performances of 60fps. Even The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered occasionally dips in performance but remains impressive for a handheld console.
(Image credit: Future)
Despite its impressive features, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ faces a significant barrier: its price of $1,799.99 / £1,399.99 / AU$2,849 makes it the priciest handheld console available, rivaling the cost of many mid-range gaming laptops. This poses a dilemma for potential buyers, especially when benchmark tests indicate that some gaming laptops perform better in raw power.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ undoubtedly belongs to a different category of device, providing a compact form factor and excellent ergonomics. However, it’s questionable if those features justify the premium price for pro gamers who might prioritize performance.
This dilemma is unfortunate because, in almost every aspect, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has exceeded my expectations for what a handheld can deliver. I want one, but the justifiability of that high price point remains a concern.
(Image credit: Future)
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: price & availability
Launched on June 23, 2026, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is already available. Its specifications showcase its might as a gaming handheld.
It features the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chipset, comprising a 12-core Intel Arc B390 GPU and a substantial 32GB RAM, positioning it considerably ahead of most competitors, despite not rivaling the best gaming laptops in sheer processing power.
However, the price tag remains a glaring flaw. At $1,799.99 / £1,399.99 / AU$2,849, it raises eyebrows, especially given that top gaming laptops are available for a few hundred dollars more and offer much superior performance.
For comparison, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was criticized for its pricing at $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599. The Claw’s sticker price places it much closer to gaming laptops than to handheld consoles, leading many mainstream gamers to question if they can justify such a significant expenditure for the features it offers.
(Image credit: Future)
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: specs
Category | Specification |
Price | $1,799.99 / £1,399.99 / AU$2,849 |
Display | 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10, 500 nits, 120Hz IPS touchscreen |
CPU | Intel Arc G3 Extreme |
Graphics | Intel Arc B390 |
RAM | 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 |
Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD |
Port selection | 2x USB-C / Thunderbolt 4, 1x microSD Express card reader, 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack |
Weight | 1.73 lbs / 786g |
Dimensions | 11.7 x 4.9 x 0.94 inches / 297 x 124 x 24mm |
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: design
Initially, I was taken aback by how lightweight the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ felt. Although it’s not a compact device, with dimensions similar to both the Steam Deck OLED and the Lenovo Legion Go S, it maintains a comfortable grip.
The ergonomic design with flared grips provides a balanced hold, although they may not wrap as snugly as the forked grips on other models. The laser-etched grip texture offers decent traction but can become slippery with extended play.
Visually, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ impresses with soft curves and a striking Void Purple finish, complemented by subtle RGB lighting around the thumbsticks. However, the protruding screen design isn’t to everyone’s taste, echoing trends seen in other recent handhelds.
The 8-inch display supports a 1920 x 1200 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate. While not as vibrant as an OLED, the screen shines bright enough for outdoor play, although direct sunlight can challenge visibility.
(Image credit: Future)
Generally, the layout will feel familiar to users of previous MSI Claw models. It retains the asymmetrical thumbstick design, Xbox-style buttons, and various dedicated control buttons. However, the absence of built-in mouse controls limits its functionality for cursor-reliant games.
Although equipped with Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, it still lacks the sensitivity of premium controllers that use TMR technology. Furthermore, the fingerprint reader lacks reliability, often requiring multiple attempts to register a touch.
(Image credit: Future)
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: performance
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ performs remarkably well, particularly in benchmark tests. Here’s how it fared in various assessments:
- 3DMark Port Royal: 3,544
- Fire Strike: 12,358
- Time Spy: 6,534
- GeekBench 6.5: 2,492 (single-core); 12,550 (multi-core)
- Total War: Warhammer 3 (1080p): 81.3fps (Ultra), 142.5fps (Low)
- Cyberpunk 2077: 43fps (Ultra), 75fps (Low)
- Dirt 5: 48.3fps (1200p, Ultra), 95.7fps (Low)
- PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 1 hour 40 minutes
Despite its stunning benchmarks, the Claw isn’t without competition from similarly priced gaming laptops that can outperform it in one-on-one comparisons. For instance, the Alienware 16X Aurora, priced slightly higher, delivers vastly superior performance statistics.
This leads to a lingering question for potential buyers: is the ergonomic advantage of a portable console worth the premium price?
Yet, on the gameplay side, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ doesn’t disappoint. Playing visually demanding titles feels fluid and responsive. I was particularly impressed with its performance in deeply contrasted 2D games, holding a solid 120Hz frame rate, thereby enhancing the overall gaming experience.
However, it does face challenges, such as occasional lag in more intense gaming scenarios. Nonetheless, the Claw consistently handles AAA titles with relatively high settings, which is a feat in the realm of gaming handhelds.
(Image credit: Future)
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: battery
The Claw’s impressive 80Whr battery capacity suggests long gaming sessions, yet real-world testing yielded surprisingly short play times — draining to 0% in just over 1.5 hours during demanding gameplay sessions.
The Claw’s default AI mode efficiently balances performance and battery life; however, the actual results may vary based on the type of game being played. Intense games deplete the battery much faster than lighter 2D titles.
Charging time is fairly swift, taking approximately 90 minutes to replenish a fully drained battery using a compatible 65W cable. It may face minor charging glitches, but overall efficiency remains satisfactory.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+?
Buy it if…
- You want a powerful, portable gaming experience.
- You’re an enthusiast who values both style and performance.
- You foresee using it for high-end gaming on-the-go.
Don’t buy it if…
- You are budget-conscious or prefer mid-range options.
- You require solid battery life for extended gameplay.
- You seek specific niche gaming functionalities, like mouse controls.
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: also consider
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ | Asus ROG Xbox Ally X | Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) |
Price | $1,799.99 / £1,399.99 / AU$2,849 | $999.99 / £799 | Starting at $649.99 / £699 |
Display | 8-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10, 500 nits, 120Hz IPS touchscreen | 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 16:9, 500 nits, 120Hz IPS touchscreen | 8-inch WQXGA (1920 x 1200), 16:10, 500 nits, 120Hz IPS touchscreen |
CPU | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z2 Go (up to AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme) |
Graphics | Intel Arc 140V GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 3.5 Graphics | Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics |
RAM | 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 | 16GB / 32GB LPDDR5X-6400 |
Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD | 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD | 512GB / 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
Port selection | 2x Thunderbolt 4, 1x microSD Express card reader, 1x 3.5mm headphone/mic combo jack | 1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C, 1x microSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack | 2x USB4, 1x microSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm combo audio jack |
Weight | 1.75 lbs / 794g | 1.58 lbs / 715g | 1.63 lbs / 740g |
Dimensions | 299 x 126 x 24mm / 11.7 x 4.96 x 0.94 inches | 290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm / 11.45 x 4.78 x 2 inches | 299 x 127.55 x 22.6mm / 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.88 inches |
(Image credit: Future)
How I tested the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+
- Tested it over two weeks
- Tried playing a wide range of titles at different graphics settings
- Conducted TechRadar’s full suite of testing benchmarks
I evaluated the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ over a two-week period, playing a diverse collection of games from TechRadar’s Steam library and Xbox Games Pass Ultimate. From low-demand 2D titles to intense AAA 3D games, the experience provided a comprehensive understanding of its capabilities.
In terms of performance, I executed our standard suite of benchmarks. This included running 3DMark and GeekBench 6.5 to yield detailed performance metrics, testing frame rates in various games at both ultra and low settings, and quantifying battery life through multiple PC Mark 10 Gaming tests.
Having tested a variety of gaming gadgets and accessories throughout my career, I bring a unique perspective to this evaluation. My extensive gaming experience seems to indicate that while the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ offers an exceptional portable gaming experience, potential buyers must weigh its high price against specific gaming needs.
- First reviewed: August 2026
- Read more about how we test
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
