ASUS ROG Xbox Ally vs MSI Claw 8 EX AI+
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| ASUSROG Xbox Ally | MSIClaw 8 EX AI+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2025 | June 2026 |
| Performance | ||
| Type | Handheld | Handheld |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 4 cores | Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 14 cores |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Graphics | Intel Arc B390 (integrated) |
| Memory | 16 GB | 32 GB (better) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB (better) |
| Disc drive | No | No |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 2.8 GHz (up to 3.8 GHz), 4 cores / 8 threads, 6 MB cache | Intel Arc G3 Extreme with 14 cores (2 P-cores, 8 E-cores and 4 low-power E-cores), 14 threads and 12 MB Intel Smart Cache; MSI's US configuration sheet states up to 4.7 GHz turbo and up to 46 NPU TOPS |
| GPU | – | Integrated Intel Arc B390 with 12 Xe cores and shared memory; supports Intel XeSS 3, with support varying by game |
| Memory detail | 16 GB LPDDR5 on board, 6400 MT/s dual channel | 32 GB on-board dual-channel LPDDR5x in the confirmed US configuration; the maker's current specification does not publish memory speed |
| Storage detail | 512 GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (2280) | 1 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD in MSI's US configuration; one M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 slot, accessible after removing the back cover. TechRadar's contemporary review documents first sale on 23 June 2026; regional availability differed. |
| Storage expansion | UHS-II microSD card reader (SD, SDHC and SDXC); replaceable M.2 2280 SSD | microSD Express card reader; MSI states average read speeds of 600–800 MB/s under its test conditions, dependent on card, system and game |
| Display and video | ||
| Built-in screen | 7″ LCD, 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz | 8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz |
| Built-in screen | 7-inch FHD 16:9 IPS-level touchscreen (10-point); 500 nits; 100% sRGB; anti-glare, low-reflection; Gorilla Glass Victus with Gorilla Glass DXC | 8-inch IPS-level touchscreen, 1920 × 1200, 16:10, 100% sRGB coverage and 500 nits brightness; 48–120 Hz variable refresh |
| Video output | DisplayPort over either USB-C port | DisplayPort over either Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port |
| Variable refresh rate | AMD FreeSync Premium on the built-in screen | 48–120 Hz on the built-in display |
| Audio | 2 speakers with Smart Amp; Dolby Atmos; Hi-Res certified headphone output; array microphone with AI noise cancelling; 3.5 mm combo jack | Two 2 W speakers, array microphone, DTS audio processing and Hi-Res Audio support; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket |
| Design and power | ||
| Weight | 670 g (better) | 785 g |
| Battery life detail | 60 Wh, 4-cell Li-ion | 80 Wh four-cell battery. MSI claims more than five hours of Diablo IV at 1200p with XeSS enabled in Endurance Mode capped at 30 fps; this is a specific game and mode, not a general runtime. |
| Power use | 65 W USB-C adapter | 65 W USB-C Power Delivery adapter; MSI recommends a 65 W or higher PD charger. Running or sleeping charging supports 45 W at 20 V to 65 W. Cooler Boost HyperFlow uses larger fans and directs airflow across internal components. |
| Colours | White | Void Purple; maker dimensions span 296–321 × 130 × 25–48 mm across the body and grips, with 785 g including battery |
| In the box | – | 65 W power adapter; accessories vary by country. The separate Launch Pack adds Travel Case III, keychain, grip caps and an 8-inch tempered glass screen protector. |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DisplayPort and power delivery), 3.5 mm combo jack, UHS-II microSD reader | Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0; one microSD Express reader; one 3.5 mm audio combo socket |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax, tri-band, 2 × 2), Bluetooth 5.4 | Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213 and Bluetooth 6; the maker's UK overview also lists LE Audio support |
| Controller | Built-in controls with A/B/X/Y, D-pad, Hall effect analogue triggers, bumpers, 2 assignable grip buttons, 2 full-size analogue sticks, View, Menu, Command Center and Armoury Crate buttons, HD haptics and a 6-axis gyro | Hall effect analogue sticks and triggers, D-pad with internal metal dome switch, RGB ABXY buttons, left and right bumpers, View and Menu buttons, MSI Center M and Quick Settings buttons, two rear macro buttons, HD haptics and six-axis IMU. Fingerprint reader in the power button. |
| Backward compatibility | Windows 11 Home PC; plays Xbox PC and Game Pass games, other PC game stores, and Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play | Windows 11 Home with MSI Center M and Xbox Mode for compatible PC game stores and Xbox Game Pass where available; game compatibility varies by title |
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