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MSI Claw A8 · Photo source

MSI Claw A8
Photo 1 of 17

MSI Claw A8 · Photo source

MSI · Claw

Claw A8

Released July 2025

MSI's 8-inch Windows gaming handheld with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, for playing PC games away from a desk.

Type
Handheld
Output
–
Memory
24 GB
Storage
1 TB
Weight
765 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers praise gaming performance, battery life and the large, smooth screen, but consider it expensive beside older handhelds. Comfort divides them; Tom's Guide likes the grips, while Club386 and Notebookcheck prefer rounder shapes. Notebookcheck also criticises cumbersome power profiles and recommends the Intel Claw instead.

From tomsguide.com, club386.com and notebookcheck.net

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Type
Handheld
CPU
AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, 8 cores
GPU
AMD Radeon 890M
Memory
24 GB
Storage
1 TB
Disc drive
No
CPU
AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme; 8 cores, 16 threads, up to 5.0 GHz
GPU
AMD Radeon 890M; 16 graphics cores
Memory detail
24 GB onboard dual-channel LPDDR5x
Storage detail
1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD
Storage expansion
Replaceable M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD; microSD reader

Display and video

Built-in screen
8″ LCD, 1920 × 1200, 120 Hz
Built-in screen
8-inch IPS-level touchscreen; 16:10; 500 nits; 100% sRGB (typical)
Video output
DisplayPort over USB-C
Variable refresh rate
48–120 Hz on the built-in screen
Audio
2 × 2 W speakers, array microphone and DTS Audio; Force Feedback Audio synchronises vibration with sound

Design and power

Weight
765 g
Battery life detail
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
65 W adapter; USB PD charging up to 65 W
Colours
Polar Tempest (white); Neon Green in selected markets

Connections

Ports
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 7; Bluetooth 5.4
Controller
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
Windows 11 Home; MSI Center M game launcher; Xbox Full Screen Experience available

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 8-inch touchscreen with 48–120 Hz VRR
  • 80 Wh battery and two USB4 ports
  • Hall effect sticks and triggers; replaceable M.2 2280 SSD

Cons

  • Heavy at 765 g
  • LCD rather than OLED
  • 24 GB memory rather than the Intel Claw 8 AI+'s 32 GB

Closest rivals

Model
TypeOutputMemoryStorageWeightReleased
ASUSROG Xbox Ally X
Handheld–24 GB1 TB715 gOct 2025
LenovoLegion Go Gen 2
Handheld–32 GB2 TB920 gSept 2025
ASUSROG Xbox Ally
Handheld–16 GB512 GB670 gOct 2025

Sources

  1. uk.msi.com/Handheld/Claw-A8-BZ2EMX/Specification
  2. msi.com/Handheld/Claw-A8-BZ2EMX/Specification
  3. uk.msi.com/Handheld/Claw-A8-BZ2EMX
  4. notebookcheck.net/MSI-Claw-A8-First-AMD-Ryzen-Z2-Extreme-gaming-handheld-gets-t…

Photo: storage-asset.msi.com

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