96
Windows CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 23, 2026
“Expensive? Yes. Also, the best gaming handheld today? Also yes.”
By Daniel Rubino · Rated 4.5/5Full review
Console
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+
MSI · From $1,799
Release date Jun 23, 2026
80
Recommended
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
5 with a published score, 2 scored from text · How it works
Latest review Oct 6, 2026
Early score: only 7 reviews so far
1 Rave5 Positive1 Favorable
Critics' Take
Reviewers call the Claw 8 EX AI+ the fastest and most power efficient Windows handheld they have tested, thanks to the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip. Nearly all of them say the $1,799 price is hard to justify, especially without an OLED screen. Most recommend it only to enthusiasts or buyers who can wait for a sale.
What critics loved
- Class-leading gaming performance from Intel Arc G3 Extreme
- Comfortable Xbox-style grips
- Strong efficiency and battery life
- Upgraded haptics and Hall effect sticks
Common gripes
- $1,799 price
- IPS LCD instead of OLED
- Heavy at about 785 g
- Xbox full screen experience still unfinished
- Limited XeSS 3 game support
Critic Scorecard
7 reviewsSort:
Weighted by outlet tier:Tier 1 outlet, weighted 100%100%Tier 2 outlet, weighted 75%75%Tier 3 outlet, weighted 40%40%Tier 4 outlet, weighted 20%20%
79
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceJun 24, 2026
“You can't get better handheld performance and efficiency anywhere else.”
Page shows a score of 4 with no scale stated, so no rating recorded; score is an estimate of the verdict.
By Kyle Barr · Unrated, scored from textFull review
79
PC GamerTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jul 21, 2026
“The price tag is almost a tragedy, but the silicon is stellar.”
By Dave James · Rated 85/100Full review
79
Mobile SyrupTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Oct 6, 2026
“The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is an enthusiast-grade device that’s built for those with deep pockets.”
Page shows no score; price cited as $2,200+ (Canadian outlet).
By Karandeep Oberoi · Unrated, scored from textFull review
77
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Jun 23, 2026
“It just sucks that the price basically makes it off limits to most folks, unless you have seriously deep pockets.”
By Sam Rutherford · Rated 8.2/10Full review
75
Tom's HardwareTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 23, 2026
“We can’t argue with the performance of the Claw 8 EX AI+, but $1,799 is quite the stretch when it doesn’t even include an OLED display.”
By Brandon Hill · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 1 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
73
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 23, 2026
“I can’t deny that the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the best PC gaming handheld I’ve tested — a phenomenally performant and power efficient system that absolutely cooks AMD.”
By Jason England · Rated 4/5Full review
79
Mobile SyrupTier 3 outlet, weighted 40%Oct 6, 2026
“The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is an enthusiast-grade device that’s built for those with deep pockets.”
Page shows no score; price cited as $2,200+ (Canadian outlet).
By Karandeep Oberoi · Unrated, scored from textFull review
79
PC GamerTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jul 21, 2026
“The price tag is almost a tragedy, but the silicon is stellar.”
By Dave James · Rated 85/100Full review
79
GizmodoTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%★ Editors' ChoiceJun 24, 2026
“You can't get better handheld performance and efficiency anywhere else.”
Page shows a score of 4 with no scale stated, so no rating recorded; score is an estimate of the verdict.
By Kyle Barr · Unrated, scored from textFull review
96
Windows CentralTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 23, 2026
“Expensive? Yes. Also, the best gaming handheld today? Also yes.”
By Daniel Rubino · Rated 4.5/5Full review
77
EngadgetTier 1 outlet, weighted 100%Jun 23, 2026
“It just sucks that the price basically makes it off limits to most folks, unless you have seriously deep pockets.”
By Sam Rutherford · Rated 8.2/10Full review
75
Tom's HardwareTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 23, 2026
“We can’t argue with the performance of the Claw 8 EX AI+, but $1,799 is quite the stretch when it doesn’t even include an OLED display.”
By Brandon Hill · Rated 4/5Full review
Show 1 more reviews ▾Show fewer ▴
73
Tom's GuideTier 2 outlet, weighted 75%Jun 23, 2026
“I can’t deny that the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the best PC gaming handheld I’ve tested — a phenomenally performant and power efficient system that absolutely cooks AMD.”
By Jason England · Rated 4/5Full review
Quick Facts
- Processor
- Intel Arc G3 Extreme
- Display
- 8-inch IPS touchscreen, 500 nits
- Resolution
- 1920 x 1200, up to 120Hz VRR
- Memory
- Up to 32GB LPDDR5x
- Storage
- Single M.2 NVMe SSD slot
- Battery
- 80Wh
- Ports
- 2x Thunderbolt 4, MicroSD Express, 3.5mm
- Weight
- 785 g
- Price
- $1,799
