MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ represents handheld future at an eye-watering price

MSI has officially revealed the price of its upcoming Claw 8 EX AI+, and it sits firmly in the premium category. The new gaming handheld is listed at $1,799 (around €1,565 / £1,349), making it one of the most expensive handheld gaming PCs on the market and more than three times the price of the Nintendo Switch 2.

The specifications remain unchanged from the model showcased at Computex 2026. The device features Intel’s new ARC G3 Extreme-powered SoC, paired with 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and an 80Wh battery. It also includes an 8-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, VRR support, and up to 500 nits of brightness.

While the high price is partly explained by the generous memory and storage configuration, it is still a significant investment for a handheld gaming system. Memory costs have risen sharply due to ongoing demand from the AI industry, making large-capacity devices more expensive across the board.

Performance, however, could be a major selling point. MSI’s handheld uses Intel’s latest ARC G3 Extreme graphics architecture, which Intel claims significantly outperforms competing handheld solutions. During Computex, Intel stated that the chip delivered up to 42% higher performance than the AMD-powered processor inside the ROG Xbox Ally X when both were operating at 35W.

If those claims hold up in independent testing, the Claw 8 EX AI+ could become the fastest handheld gaming PC available at launch. Still, its nearly $1,800 price tag may limit its appeal to enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for top-tier performance.

The MSI store listing also confirms that shipments are expected to begin on June 23, with pre-orders already available in the United States. Given the cost, some gamers may hope MSI eventually introduces lower-priced versions with less memory or a standard ARC G3 chip to make the platform more accessible.

As always, for the latest news on gaming handhelds, hardware launches, performance analysis, and developments across the PC gaming industry, be sure to follow our dedicated gaming and hardware coverage.