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MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ · Photo source
MSI · Claw
Claw 8 EX AI+
An 8-inch Windows gaming handheld with Intel Arc G3 Extreme, a variable-refresh touchscreen, two Thunderbolt 4 ports and an 80 Wh battery.
Model history · 3 models, 2024–2026
- 2024Claw A1MCompare
- 2024Claw 8 AI+Compare
- 2026Claw 8 EX AI+
- Type
- Handheld
- Output
- –
- Memory
- 32 GB
- Storage
- 1 TB
- Weight
- 785 g
What reviewers say
Reviewers praise strong gaming performance, comfortable grips and the bright, smooth screen, but find the price hard to justify. PC Gamer and Tom's Guide report excellent battery endurance; TechRadar gets less consistent results in balanced mode. PC Gamer and TechRadar also criticise Windows and launcher quirks, while Tom's Guide highlights limited XeSS 3 game support.
From pcgamer.com, tomsguide.com and techradar.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Type
- Handheld
- CPU
- Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 14 cores
- GPU
- Intel Arc B390 (integrated)
- Memory
- 32 GB
- Storage
- 1 TB
- Disc drive
- No
- 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
- GPU
- Integrated Intel Arc B390 with 12 Xe cores and shared memory; supports Intel XeSS 3, with support varying by game
- Memory detail
- 32 GB on-board dual-channel LPDDR5x in the confirmed US configuration; the maker's current specification does not publish memory speed
- 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.
- 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
Display and video
- Built-in screen
- 8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz
- Built-in screen
- 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 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port
- Variable refresh rate
- 48–120 Hz on the built-in display
- Audio
- Two 2 W speakers, array microphone, DTS audio processing and Hi-Res Audio support; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone socket
Design and power
- Weight
- 785 g
- 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.
- 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.
- Colours
- 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
- 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
- Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213 and Bluetooth 6; the maker's UK overview also lists LE Audio support
- 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.
- 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
Pros and cons
Pros
- 48–120 Hz variable-refresh touchscreen
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and microSD Express reader
- Hall effect sticks and triggers, with 80 Wh battery
Cons
- On-board memory cannot be upgraded
- No built-in trackpad for mouse control
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Output | Memory | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld | – | 32 GB | 2 TB | 920 g | Sept 2025 | |
| Handheld | – | 24 GB | 1 TB | 715 g | Oct 2025 | |
| Handheld | – | 16 GB | 512 GB | 670 g | Oct 2025 |
Previous model: Claw 8 AI+.
Sources
- msi.com/Handheld/Claw-8-EX-AI-Plus-CG3EMX/Specification
- us.msi.com/Handheld/Claw-8-EX-AI-Plus-CG3EMX/Specification
- uk.msi.com/Handheld/Claw-8-EX-AI-Plus-CG3EMX
- techradar.com/computing/gaming-computers/msi-claw-8-ex-ai
Photo: storage-asset.msi.com
- MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, front three-quarter view with illuminated blue buttons; handheld only: storage-asset.msi.com/global/picture/image/feature/Handhelds/Claw-8-ex-ai-plus/…
