MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld launches at $1,699 with Intel Arc G3 Extreme
MSI announced that its Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld gaming PC will be released on June 23, 2026 with a retail price of $1,699 (US) – the highest for a handheld to date. The device ships with Intel’s newest Arc G3 Extreme GPU, a 14‑core CPU, 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, a 1 TB NVMe SSD, an 8‑inch 120 Hz IPS touchscreen and an 80 Wh battery. Dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, Hall‑effect joysticks and Wi‑Fi 7 round out the premium hardware.
The pricing places the Claw 8 EX AI+ in the same price bracket as mid‑range gaming laptops, prompting analysts to note that it “is not competing with other handhelds but with gaming laptops that offer larger screens and more upgrade options.” Compared with earlier MSI handhelds, the new model is roughly twice as expensive, reflecting both the cost of the high‑performance Intel chip and rising memory component prices.
The launch price and specifications have been reported by multiple retailers, including Newegg and Best Buy, and confirmed by MSI’s own online store.