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MSI has brought the next generation of its Claw gaming handhelds to Taipei, showing off the new Claw 8 EX AI+ on the Computex showfloor. With improvements not just under the hood, but in the grips, sticks, and motors, the brand is looking to compete with similar horsepower levels in the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and OneXPlayer 3 when Intel's new cohort of handhelds hit the market this year.
Right now, though, it's looking like MSI's new release is going to cost you more than some gaming laptops. The brand told The Shortcut that it's aiming for a $1,500 launch price, though rumors are still circulating on whether that's the top-of-the-range model you'll find on the showfloor this week, or the bottom rung of the ladder.
The sad part is I wouldn't be surprised by either eventuality. The new ROG Xbox Ally Z20 Edition will likely be over $2,000 when it launches with its new AR glasses, the Steam Deck OLED just hitched its price up to $1,000, and even MSI's older Claw 8 AI+ is holding firm to its $1,299.99 MSRP (Best Buy).
Still, with price expectations adjusted for 2026's climate, let's take a look at what we get under the hood.
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ will make good on the Arc G3's promise of Intel XeSS 3 multi-frame generation, while maintaining the 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and 80Wh battery of the previous model. Those are specs that saw the previous release to a four-star review score when we tested it this time last year. Also returning is that 8-inch 1920 x 1200 120Hz display, though this time it's positioned so that it just about juts over the bottom lip of the device.
Around the sides, though, we've got some newly redesigned grips and a set of fancy motors underneath them. The chassis itself has been repositioned to offer a more ergonomic form factor, taking the blocky original and adding deeper curves to the back. Meanwhile, MSI has stuffed a "high-end linear motor" underneath, working to provide a more tactile haptic system with a faster response and better efficiency overall.
That's all running with a reported power level of 45W max TDP, a notable jump from the 35W found in the last generation of handhelds from MSI, Asus and Lenovo.
Without a final price tag, a common recurring theme amongst Computex's handheld announcements, we'll have to wait a little while to see just how the Claw 8 EX AI+ is going to stack up against the wider PC market. Thankfully, it shouldn't be too long before more information hits the feeds, with release currently slated for June 23.
For more portable play, check out the best gaming phones and best gaming tablets. Or, for a hit of (cheaper) nostalgia, check out the best retro handhelds on the market.
