- The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ uses the new Intel Arc G3 APU, among the first gaming handhelds to use this chip, similarly to the recently unveiled Acer Predator Atlas 8
- This new Intel Arc B370-powered iGPU features support for Multi-Frame Generation through XeSS 3, allowing the hardware to reach higher framerates
- Ergonomically, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has taken cues from the Asus ROG Ally X with its new gamepad-style grips, featuring Hall Effect sticks and RGB lighting
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has been announced at Computex 2026, billed as the “world’s first gaming handheld” to be powered by the Intel Arc G3 processor. It is joined by recently announced competitors, such as the Acer Predator Atlas 8, in leading the charge for the next generation of mobile gaming hardware.
This third-generation MSI Claw gaming handheld features Intel XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation, enabled by the latest Intel Arc iGPU standard. Specifically, the Arc G3 is built on the B390 die, with 12 Xe cores, and up to a 30W TDP range.
No MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ pricing has been announced yet; however, it is expected to be a gaming handheld at the premium end of the spectrum. We can gauge a rough estimate by looking at the current-generation MSI Claw 8 AI+, with its cheapest 1TB variant retailing for $899 / £899 and its pricier option (doubling the storage) selling for $1,129 / £999. As such, we expect this new model to follow a similar pricing strategy.
The ergonomics have also drastically changed for the upcoming MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ when compared to the previous-generation MSI Claw 8 AI+ and MSI Claw A1M. The Taiwanese company has taken notes from the Asus ROG Ally Xbox X with its new controller-style grips, Hall-effect sticks and triggers, as well as a revised D-pad, too.
Xbox Mode looks to be directly rivalling what’s featured in its competition. Just as with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ will feature quick resume functionality and on-the-fly adjustments with the press of a button, and it aims to be as unintrusive as possible when dialing in your settings.
Also new to the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the addition of haptic motors for vibration when playing. It’s described as a “high-end linear motor” that’s said to simulate “tactical textures” in a similar vein to what the PS5‘s DualSense Wireless Controller can do. It appears to be a massive upgrade of the weaker rumble feature found in the two previous-generation models.
Instead of opting for the same usual black or gray colorway of its contemporaries, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ features a purple aesthetic, with red face buttons, RGB lighting around the sticks, and that same solid 120Hz 8-inch VRR display in the center. At a time when the best handheld gaming PCs are iterating on the same design trends from four years ago, it’s good to see a degree of innovation implemented here.
How does the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ compare to its predecessors?
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ |
MSI Claw 8 AI+ |
MSI Claw A1M |
|
Processor |
Intel Arc G3 Extreme |
Intel Core Ultra 7 258V |
Intel Core 7 155H |
|
Display |
8-inch 1920 x 1200 120Hz touchscreen |
8-inch 1920 x 1200 120Hz touchscreen |
7-inch 1920×1080 120Hz touchscreen |
|
Graphics |
Intel Arc B390 |
Intel Arc Graphics 140V |
Intel Xe-LPG architecture |
|
Memory |
32GB LPDDR5x-8533 |
32GB LPDDR5x-8533 |
16GB LPDDR5-6400 |
|
Battery |
80 Whr |
80 Whr |
53 Whr |
How could the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ fare in the 2026 handheld market?
The meteoric rise of Valve’s Steam Deck four years ago set into motion a path that would see dozens of different, remarkably similar handhelds hit the market. The majority of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+’s competitors are using either the AMD Z2 Extreme or the older Z1 Extreme, with lesser-known brands going all in with Intel. We’ve seen this with the OneXPlayer X1 and AOKZOE A2 Ultra, both utilizing the older Intel Core 7 Ultra 155H, and 140V Arc integrated graphics.
As touched upon above, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is among the first gaming handhelds to use the newly unveiled Intel Arc G3 chipset, although it’s not the first to be announced to market.
The Acer Predator Atlas 8 appears to be similar to what’s on offer from MSI. It features the same Intel Arc G3 processor, XeSS 3 Multi-Frame Generation, 80 Whr battery, 120Hz display, and Xbox controller-style ergonomics as well. It’s never a bad thing to have too many options as a consumer, so time will tell which of these devices is superior and if they have what it takes to dethrone the Steam Deck or ROG Ally.
Fundamentally, the implementation of the vastly more capable B390 die ensures that your games will look better and play smoother than before. That’s purely due to true MFG, and XeSS’ upscaling tech has caught up massively to what AMD FSR and Nvidia DLSS can do in the last two years, as the transition from Alchemist to Battlemage architecture has been truly night and day in terms of performance. We’ll have more to share when we go hands-on with the device to deliver a proper verdict.
- Check out our Computex 2026 hub for all the latest news out of Taipei.
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alekshamcloughlin@outlook.com (Aleksha McLoughlin)
