This is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheld | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyNotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.NotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.This is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheldNotificationsNotificationsComments DrawerNotificationsCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...EntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingThis is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheldAnd it’s using Intel’s custom Arc G3 Extreme handheld gaming chip.And it’s using Intel’s custom Arc G3 Extreme handheld gaming chip.by Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedMay 29, 2026, 11:11 AM UTCLinkShareGiftIt may only be available in this “Void Purple” color option. Image: MSIJess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.MSI has unveiled a new Claw 8 handheld gaming PC ahead of the Computex 2026 show, and this model swaps out its predecessors’ Intel Lunar Lake mobile chip for a specialized handheld processor. MSI describes the Claw 8 EX AI Plus as being the “world’s first” handheld to contain the recently announced Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, which features an array of Xe3 GPU cores to run games.We should note that the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and OneXPlayer 3 gaming handhelds are also expected to launch with these chips, but MSI may be the first out of the gate. The Claw 8 EX AI Plus also has a single NVME M.2 SSD slot for gaming and data storage, and supports up to 32GB of dual-channel LPDDR5x memory, though MSI hasn’t specified what RAM configurations will be available. The launch date and price also haven’t been announced yet, but the previous MSI Claw 8 AI Plus was $1,000 when it launched last year.What we do know is that the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus features an eight-inch 1920 x 1200 touchscreen that runs at up to 120Hz. It also has a new chassis design with updated grips that aim to be more comfortable during long gaming sessions, alongside Hall effect triggers and sticks that offer more precise control. MSI says a new high-end linear motor has been introduced for faster and improved haptic feedback and “improved power efficiency” — though it didn’t mention how long you can expect the battery to last.Only one color option seems to be available, which MSI describes as “Void Purple.” We’ll have to wait and see how it fares for actual gaming performance, but it can’t be worse than MSI’s disastrous first attempt at delivering a powerful gaming handheld.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Jess WeatherbedCloseJess WeatherbedNews ReporterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Jess WeatherbedEntertainmentCloseEntertainmentPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All EntertainmentGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsPC GamingClosePC GamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PC GamingTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularKia’s flagship EV has a battery problemThe golden age of handheld gaming is already overThey’ve finally made the Oura Ring smaller and lighterValve raises Steam Deck prices by more than $200What’s next for Microsoft’s Surface PCs?The Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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MSI has introduced the Claw 8 EX AI Plus, a new handheld gaming PC unveiled ahead of the Computex 2026 show, which incorporates Intel’s custom Arc G3 Extreme handheld gaming chip. This device is touted as the world’s first handheld to feature the Arc G3 Extreme processor, which utilizes an array of Xe3 GPU cores for gaming performance. While other gaming handhelds like the Acer Predator Atlas 8 and OneXPlayer 3 are also expected to launch with these chips, MSI is positioned as potentially being the first to market with this specific hardware.

The internal specifications of the Claw 8 EX AI Plus highlight its focus on modern mobile computing components. It includes a single NVME M.2 SSD slot for data storage and supports up to 32GB of dual-channel LPDDR5x memory, although specific memory configurations are not yet detailed. The previous model, the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, had a retail price of one thousand dollars when it launched the previous year.

A significant focus of the new hardware is the user experience, which is addressed through substantial ergonomic and input enhancements. The device features an eight-inch 1920 by 1200 high-resolution touchscreen capable of operating at up to 120Hz. Furthermore, MSI implemented a new chassis design featuring updated grips intended to enhance comfort during extended gaming sessions. Control precision is boosted through the incorporation of Hall effect triggers and sticks. For haptic feedback and operational efficiency, the system introduced a new high-end linear motor, which is designed to provide faster and improved feedback while enhancing power efficiency. Although details on battery longevity remain unspecified, these features aim to elevate the interactive experience of the handheld.

In terms of aesthetics, the device is currently only available in the "Void Purple" color option. The full evaluation of the system’s performance relative to its competitors will depend on real-world gaming benchmarks.