MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ Gaming Handhelds Launched with Intel Core Ultra Processing Power

MSI has introduced its latest Claw gaming handhelds, equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor. These devices boast 32GB of RAM and up to a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, which MSI claims is easily upgradeable. The two models, MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+, share similar specifications, differing mainly in screen size, battery capacity, and dimensions.

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ features an 8-inch FHD+ touchscreen with a resolution of 1920x1200, while the Claw 7 AI+ offers a slightly smaller 7-inch FHD display at 1920x1080. Both screens support a refresh rate of 120Hz and deliver vibrant colours with 100% sRGB coverage. The devices are powered by Intel's Arc 140 GPU for integrated graphics performance.

Specifications and Features

Both handhelds come with integrated LPDDR5x-8533 memory and offer storage options up to a 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD. They include dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB Type-C PD 3.0, a microSD slot, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor for added security. Connectivity options vary slightly; the Claw 8 AI+ supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, while the Claw 7 AI+ includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.34.

Audio quality is enhanced by two speakers supporting DTS and Hi-Res Audio. Both devices incorporate a six-axis IMU sensor and vibration motor to improve gaming experiences. The larger Claw model houses an 80Whr battery compared to the smaller model's 54.5Whr battery.

Pricing and Availability

Although MSI hasn't disclosed official prices on its US e-shop, Amazon lists preorders for these handhelds. The Claw 8 AI+ is priced at $899 (roughly Rs 76,200) for the version with a full terabyte of storage, whereas the Claw 7 AI+ costs $799 (roughly Rs 67,700) but offers only half that storage capacity at launch.

A notable feature of these devices is their use of Intel processors instead of AMD chips found in competitors like ROG Ally X or Lenovo Legion Go. This choice enhances processing capabilities while maintaining efficient power consumption through Intel's Lunar Lake chips operating at just 17W.

Design Enhancements

The new generation MSI Claw handhelds have redesigned joysticks, bumpers, D-pads, and hall-effect triggers to improve accuracy and ergonomics during gameplay sessions. Tencent has also announced an upcoming handheld using this processor; however, it remains under development without immediate availability in the U.S.

MSI claims these devices achieve "113% higher peak FPS" alongside an average increase of "20% higher FPS under identical power conditions." With various ports available on these models, they can function as mini-PCs offering Copilot+ capabilities alongside exclusive App Player software that enables installation of both Windows and Android games.