MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ vs MSI Claw A8

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Claw 8 EX AI+ compared with Claw A8

	MSIClaw 8 EX AI+	MSIClaw A8
Overview
Released
Released	June 2026	July 2025
Performance
Type
Type	Handheld	Handheld
CPU
CPU	Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 14 cores	AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 8 cores
GPU
GPU	Intel Arc B390 (integrated)	AMD Radeon 890M
Memory
Memory	32 GB (better)	24 GB
Storage
Storage	1 TB	1 TB
Disc drive
Disc drive	No	No
CPU
CPU	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	AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme; 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.0 GHz
GPU
GPU	Integrated Intel Arc B390 with 12 Xe cores and shared memory; supports Intel XeSS 3, with support varying by game	AMD Radeon 890M; 16 graphics cores
Memory detail
Memory detail	32 GB on-board dual-channel LPDDR5x in the confirmed US configuration; the maker's current specification does not publish memory speed	24 GB onboard dual-channel LPDDR5x
Storage detail
Storage detail	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.	1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD
Storage expansion
Storage expansion	microSD Express card reader; MSI states average read speeds of 600–800 MB/s under its test conditions, dependent on card, system and game	Replaceable M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD; microSD reader
Display and video
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz	8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	8-inch IPS-level touchscreen, 1920 × 1200, 16:10, 100% sRGB coverage and 500 nits brightness; 48–120 Hz variable refresh	8-inch IPS-level touchscreen; 16:10; 500 nits; 100% sRGB (typical)
Video output
Video output	DisplayPort over either Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port	DisplayPort over USB-C
Variable refresh rate
Variable refresh rate	48–120 Hz on the built-in display	48–120 Hz on the built-in screen
Audio
Audio	Two 2 W speakers, array microphone, DTS audio processing and Hi-Res Audio support; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket	2 × 2 W speakers, array microphone and DTS Audio; Force Feedback Audio synchronises vibration with sound
Design and power
Weight
Weight	785 g	765 g (better)
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	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.	80 Wh, 4-cell; MSI claims 3.5 hours gaming in Endurance mode and over 19 hours video playback (1080p, 60 Hz, 150 nits, lighting and Bluetooth off); runtime varies by game and settings
Power use
Power use	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.	65 W adapter; USB PD charging up to 65 W
Colours
Colours	Void Purple; maker dimensions span 296–321 × 130 × 25–48 mm across the body and grips, with 785 g including battery	Polar Tempest (white); Neon Green in selected markets
In the box
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
Ports	Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0; one microSD Express reader; one 3.5 mm audio combo socket	2 × USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery 3.0 (Thunderbolt 4 compatible); microSD; 3.5 mm mic/headphone combo
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213 and Bluetooth 6; the maker's UK overview also lists LE Audio support	Wi-Fi 7; Bluetooth 5.4
Controller
Controller	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.	RGB Hall effect sticks, Hall effect triggers, RGB ABXY buttons, D-pad, bumpers, View, Menu, MSI Center M, Quick Settings and rear M1/M2 macro buttons; HD haptics; 6-axis IMU; fingerprint power button
Backward compatibility
Backward compatibility	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	Windows 11 Home; MSI Center M game launcher; Xbox Full Screen Experience available