Technology

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The significant move to strengthen its foothold in the growing handheld gaming market, MSI has announced new models of its Claw gaming handhelds, now offering variants powered by both Intel and AMD processors. The updated lineup was officially unveiled during Computex 2025, as the company doubled down on delivering powerful, portable gaming experiences tailored to a diverse range of players.

The original MSI Claw, launched earlier this year with Intel’s Meteor Lake processors, marked the company’s debut in the handheld gaming segment. While it garnered attention for its high-quality build and integration of MSI’s gaming DNA, early reviews noted performance bottlenecks and software challenges. With the new additions, MSI appears committed to addressing those issues and broadening its appeal by including AMD’s well-regarded Phoenix APU chips in the mix.

The headline-grabbing announcement centers around two major updates: an Intel Core Ultra 200V-powered Claw 8 AI+ and a new AMD version simply dubbed MSI Claw 8 AMD Edition. Both models sport an upgraded 8-inch IPS touchscreen with improved brightness and color calibration compared to the original 7-inch version, offering gamers a more immersive viewing experience.

The Intel variant boasts the newly launched Core Ultra 9 285H processor, paired with Arc integrated graphics and AI-accelerated features. This model targets high-performance gaming on the go, with MSI claiming up to a 15% performance uplift over its predecessor. It also integrates an AI-enhanced cooling system and power optimization, making gameplay smoother and battery usage more efficient.

On the other hand, the AMD-powered Claw features a Ryzen 7 8840U APU, which combines Radeon 780M integrated graphics with proven power efficiency and strong performance in AAA titles. MSI’s decision to offer AMD as an option reflects the growing demand from the gaming community for more customizable hardware ecosystems.

Aside from the chip upgrades, both new Claw models benefit from an enhanced thermal solution with a dual-fan cooling setup, better ergonomics, and a revamped user interface called MSI Center M, which replaces the original software dashboard. This new UI allows gamers to fine-tune performance profiles, adjust fan speeds, customize RGB lighting, and manage game libraries with ease.

Storage and memory options remain flexible, with up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSDs and 32GB LPDDR5 RAM available, depending on configuration. Each device comes equipped with USB-C charging, a microSD slot for expandable storage, a 53Wh battery, and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for seamless online gaming and cloud syncing.

MSI also emphasized its partnership with game developers and content platforms, ensuring that both Claw models come optimized for popular PC games and storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox Game Pass. In fact, select models will be bundled with a three-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription, a nod to the rising trend of cloud and hybrid gaming.

As for pricing, MSI confirmed that the Claw 8 AI+ (Intel) model will start at $799, while the Claw 8 AMD Edition is expected to begin at a more competitive $699. Both are scheduled to launch globally in Q3 2025, with pre-orders opening in major markets starting late June.

The expansion of the Claw lineup places MSI in direct competition with handheld gaming giants like Valve’s Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. However, by offering both Intel and AMD options, MSI is carving out a niche for users who prioritize choice and performance tuning.

With this bold refresh, MSI is signaling that it’s not just experimenting with handhelds—it’s here to stay, innovate, and push the boundaries of portable PC gaming.