This is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheld

MSI has unveiled a brand new Claw 8 handheld gaming PC forward of the Computex 2026 present, and this mannequin swaps out its predecessors’ Intel Lunar Lake cellular chip for a specialised handheld processor. MSI describes the Claw 8 EX AI Plus as being the “world’s first” handheld to include the lately introduced Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, which options an array of Xe3 GPU cores to run video games.

We ought to observe that the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and OneXPlayer 3 gaming handhelds are additionally anticipated to launch with these chips, however MSI could be the first out of the gate. The Claw 8 EX AI Plus additionally has a single NVME M.2 SSD slot for gaming and knowledge storage, and helps as much as 32GB of dual-channel LPDDR5x reminiscence, although MSI hasn’t specified what RAM configurations will probably be out there. The launch date and worth additionally haven’t been introduced but, however the earlier MSI Claw 8 AI Plus was $1,000 when it launched final yr.

What we do know is that the brand new MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus options an eight-inch 1920 x 1200 touchscreen that runs at as much as 120Hz. It additionally has a brand new chassis design with up to date grips that intention to be extra snug throughout lengthy gaming classes, alongside Hall impact triggers and sticks that supply extra exact management. MSI says a brand new high-end linear motor has been launched for sooner and improved haptic suggestions and “improved power efficiency” — although it didn’t point out how lengthy you may count on the battery to final.

Only one coloration choice appears to be out there, which MSI describes as “Void Purple.” We’ll have to attend and see the way it fares for precise gaming efficiency, however it could possibly’t be worse than MSI’s disastrous first try at delivering a robust gaming handheld.