It has taken a while, but MSI has finally fully unveiled its new flagship gaming handheld and Steam Deck rival, the MSI Claw 8 AI+, months after first teasing the new device. Not only that, but it has also revealed a surprise second new option, the Claw 7 AI+, which offers the same performance but in a smaller package.
Over six months since we got our MSI Claw 8 AI+ first look, following the initial reveal of the new device, and three months since our MSI Claw 8 AI+ hands on experience, MSI has stopped the teasing and announced its new best handheld gaming PC contender as available now.
The key performance upgrade of the new handheld range is the use of an Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor. This is a significant upgrade over the original MSI Claw A1M, which used an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H. While in some ways the 155H is more powerful than the 285V, thanks to it having a total of 16 CPU cores to the 285V’s total of eight CPU cores, the newer chip’s cores are faster and, moreover, for gaming performance, eight cores is still more than enough.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ specs
| MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM specs | MSI Claw 7 AI+ A2VM specs | |
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 258V | Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 258V |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Memory | 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 | 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 |
| Display | 8-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 (16:10), touchscreen, 120Hz, 100% sRGB, 500nits, VRR, IPS-type panel | 7-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 (16:10), touchscreen, 120Hz, 100% sRGB, 500nits, VRR, IPS-type panel |
| Graphics | Intel Arc 140V GPU | Intel Arc 140V GPU |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD |
| Sensor | 6-axis IMU, vibration motor | 6-axis IMU, vibration motor |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth v5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth v5.4 |
| Audio | 2 x 2W Speakers, DTS sound effect, Hi-Res Audio support | 2 x 2W Speakers, DTS sound effect, Hi-Res Audio support |
| I/O ports | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB Type-C, 1 x microSD, 1 x audio combo jack, 1 x power button with fingerprint sensor | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB Type-C, 1 x microSD, 1 x audio combo jack, 1 x power button with fingerprint sensor |
| Battery/Adapter | 6-Cell, Li-Polymer, 80Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0 | 6-Cell, Li-Polymer, 80Whr / 65W USB Type-C PD 3.0 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 299 x 126 x 24 (W x D x H) | 294 x 117 x 21.2 (W x D x H) |
| Weight | 795g | 675g |
| Color | Sandstorm | Black |
| Price | $899.99 | $799.99 |
Instead, it’s the GPU part of the 285V that really makes the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ such exciting prospects. The architectures of the GPUs used in the newer and older Claw devices are sufficiently different that directly comparing their stats doesn’t tell us much. However, MSI claims the newer devices will be up to 113% faster in terms of peak frame rate, and up to 20% quicker when it comes to average frame rate.
These claims are backed up by tests of gaming performance of these same processors when used in laptops, so we really can expect to see big gains. There will be some variance, due to the thermal and power limitations of a handheld versus a laptop – MSI’s tests are based on the device running at a relatively modest 17W load – but the relative results should be similar.
What’s more, this is all in the context of the original Claw’s Intel Core Ultra 155H already being far more powerful than the AMD GPU in the Steam Deck, and on par for performance with the newer AMD GPU used in the likes of the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. As such, the new AI+ Claws should now be the fastest readily available gaming handhelds around.
As for the other features of the new Claws, the larger of the two, the Claw 8 AI+, features an 8-inch 1080p IPS screen running at up to 120Hz, with a brightness of up to 500nits. This is housed in a slightly larger updated physical design compared to the original Claw, switching from black to a “Sandstorm” color scheme. It measures 299 x 126 x 24 mm (W x D x H) and weighs 795g, making it notably heavier than most rivals with 7-inch screens.
It then partners its new processor with a huge 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM and its larger form allows space for a sizeable 80Whr battery – the same as the updated Asus ROG Ally X. The new devices also get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, thanks to support for the standard on the new Intel chip.
Meanwhile, the MSI Claw 7 AI+ is essentially just a chip update to the original MSI Claw. It has the same black design as before, and seemingly uses the same smaller 7-inch screen with its 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 500 nits brightness. The smaller device is equipped with the exact same CPU and memory as the Claw 8 AI+. but uses the same smaller 54.5Whr battery as the original Claw.
That battery on the original device wasn’t ideal for getting great battery life, as the Intel 155H’s GPU used a fair amount of power. However, the new Core Ultra 285V should use far less power, ensuring that even though the battery capacity hasn’t increased in this smaller unit, the battery life should have improved.
What should also have improved with these newer devices is game and driver support. Just as with Intel’s first generation of desktop graphics cards, as seen in our Intel Arc A770 review, stability and compatibility were major problems. However, with many more months of development under its belt, these issues should be much improved on the new devices. Suffice it to say, we’ll be getting our hands on them as soon as possible to see by just how much.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ price
MSI is claiming the new Claws are available now, though stock is either already sold out or was never actually available. However, you can keep an eye on listings such as these on Amazon to see when stock does arrive. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ price is $899.99 (add to your wish list via this link), making it one of the most expensive handhelds currently available. Meanwhile, the MSI Claw 7 AI+ price is $799.99 (add to your wish list via this link), which strikes us as surprisingly expensive considering you don’t get the physically updated design and larger battery.
For more on our thoughts about the original Claw, check out our MSI Claw 7 A1M preview, and for a full picture of the handheld landscape, check out our Steam Deck OLED review, Asus ROG Ally X review, and Lenovo Legion Go review, as these are the three biggest players in the space right now.
