MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ arrives with Hall-effect controls, Intel Arc G3 Extreme, and 80Wh battery!

MSI announced the new Claw 8 EX AI Plus at Computex, underscoring its strong presence in the high-end PC gaming market. It is the direct successor to the 2024 model—the Claw A1M—and has noticeably upgraded its processor, haptics, and other parameters. In this article, I will discuss the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus in detail, including its expected price in Nepal, specifications, and availability. 

MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus Overview

Design and Build

Starting off, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI arrives in the unique “Void Purple” finish, giving it a bold, modern, and premium visual identity compared to its predecessor— the MSI Claw A1M Black finish. Here, the new handheld is built around a large 8-inch display, while the chassis is slightly larger, measuring around 296-321 x 130 x 25-48 mm and weighing 785 grams.

For ergonomics, MSI has focused on comfort and tactile precision by introducing several physical upgrades to various elements. They began by redesigning the chassis to provide more comfortable grips, so you don't experience wrist and hand fatigue during extended gaming sessions. In addition, MSI equipped this handheld with Hall-effect triggers and sticks with magnets instead of mechanical parts. With this change, MSI aims to prevent stick drift and provide precise input. 

Apart from this, Claw 8 EX AI+ also has refined inputs, with an upgraded tactile D-pad and more responsive bumpers. It also includes a 6-axis IMU vibrator motor that provides faster response times and more refined and tactile haptic feedback capable of simulating different textures. The number of ports on these handhelds is also in the same range, so you can easily pair them with multiple other devices. 

Display and Audio

Up front, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ opts for a large 8-inch IPS-level touchscreen display with FHD+ resolution for crisp and sharp visuals. It comes with a 48–120 Hz variable refresh rate that should be enough to handle fast-paced games smoothly, so screen tearing is not seen during gameplay. And this screen is also said to reach 500-nit peak brightness, so it's visible in tricky lighting. In addition, it also has 100% sRGB color coverage, which is pretty decent for delivering punchy and accurate colors on the screen.

On the audio side, this handheld also features the same 2W output as Acer's new Predator Atlas 8. The difference is that the Claw 8 EX AI+ has a DTS audio processing unit.  It is also Hi-Res audio-ready, which will allow you to hear subtle environmental cues such as enemy footsteps or ambient weather changes without having to max out the volume and distort the sound. And for those who prefer a private or competitive setup, it also has the standard 3.5mm audio jack for easy plug-in. 

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ uses the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor paired with the Intel Arc B390 GPU. This same combination is used in the Acer Predator Atlas 8 too. This chip is Intel's first architecture specifically optimized for the unique power limits of portable devices. And to keep the thing running smoothly, MSI paired the silicon with an upgraded "Cooler Boost HyperFlow" thermal design that raises air pressure by 25% to prevent thermal throttling. 

Memory-wise, it comes with up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and a single PCIe 4 NVMe SSD slot for storage, so you will not face constant lag while playing games. On the software side, this handheld runs Windows 11 and uses the deep AI-integrated Intel XeSS 3 with Multi-Frame Generation (MFG). This combo will boost the frame rate in demanding AAA titles. Additionally, the hardware is managed through a redesigned MSI Center M overlay that offers quick-access performance adjustment alongside an intuitive Xbox Mode launcher that simplifies game navigation and supports seamless gameplay.

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Battery and Other

For long hours of use, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ packs a huge 80Wh Lithium-Polymer battery—a significant upgrade over the 53Wh cell in the original Claw A1M. MSI said that with this battery life, you can easily play games for a decent amount of time on a single charge. It also has Intel Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth v6 for low-latency wireless gameplay. And for wired gameplay, it comes with 2 Thunderbolt 4 ports that support both display and PD 3.0. Besides this, it also has a fingerprint sensor in the power button for secure login.

MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus Specifications:

• Dimensions: 296–321 x 130 x 25–48 mm, 785 gm, 9H hardness (scratch resistance)
• Display: 8-inch IPS-level FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10 ratio, 48–120Hz VRR, 500nits, 100% sRGB, 10-point multi-touch
• CPU: Up to Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, Intel Arc B390 graphics (Intel XeSS 3 with MFG)
• Cooling: Cooler Boost HyperFlow thermal (dual-fan, dual-heatpipes setup)
• Memory: Up to 32GB LPDDR5x RAM, dual channel
• Storage: 1 x NVMe M.2 2280 SSD PCIe Gen 4 x4
• OS: Windows 11 Home (with MSI Center M and Xbox Mode)
• Controls: ABXY layout, Hall-effect triggers and sticks, refined bumpers, responsive tactile D-pad, 6-axis IMU Vibration Motor, power button with fingerprint sensor
• Connectivity: Intel WiFi 7, Bluetooth v6
• Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 4(DispalyPort/PD 3.0), 1x microSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm audio jack
• Battery: Li-Po 80Wh, 4-Cell

MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus Price in Nepal and Availability

MSI has officially unveiled this new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ at Computex and is all set to release it globally on June 23, 2026. However, MSI has not disclosed its pricing details. But based on the handheld's upgrades, it might target the premium price bracket in the global market. 

• Meanwhile, you may like our review of Oppo Find X9 Ultra.