At Computex 2025, MSI officially introduced the latest addition to its handheld gaming lineup: the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM. Equipped with AMD’s next-gen Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and up to 24GB of RAM, the Claw A8 BZ2EM aims to compete directly with the likes of the Steam Deck, ROG Ally 2, and Lenovo Legion Go 2. Let’s get into the depths of this big news.
MSI’s handheld overview
Performance and Battery
MSI’s latest handheld lineup caters to both Intel and AMD fans with two powerful options. The Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V. This chipset features 8 CPU cores, 8 GPU cores, and a maximum clock speed of 4.8 GHz. Moreover, it is equipped with a 2TB NVMe SSD, providing ample space for modern AAA games and heavy media usage.
In contrast, the Claw A8 BZ2EM is driven by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. This chipset features an 8-core, 18-thread, and 16 RDNA 3 GPU cores, paired with the AMD Radeon 890M GPU. It supports up to 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM and includes both a PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD slot and a microSD card reader for expandable storage. One of its biggest advantages is the 80Wh battery, which nearly doubles the capacity of devices like the original Steam Deck, offering significantly longer gaming sessions.
- Also, read:
Design and Usability
In terms of display, both handhelds come with an 8-inch Full HD+ display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, ensuring a fluid and immersive gaming experience.
The Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition stands out visually with its glossy white finish, UV coating, and unique Polar Tempest branding. MSI has leaned into a premium aesthetic, making this one of the most eye-catching devices showcased at Computex 2025. It’s available in multiple color options for gamers who want to personalize their experience.
On the other hand, the Claw A8 BZ2EM also brings flair to the handheld market with a striking lime green color option, breaking away from the traditional black-and-white norms. It maintains a portable form factor with dimensions of 299.5 x 126.2 x 24mm and a weight of 765 grams, making it both powerful and travel-friendly.
Dual platform strategy by MSI
By offering both Intel and AMD variants in its handheld lineup, MSI becomes the first brand to provide gamers with a choice between competing chip architectures in a single product family. This dual-chip strategy provides gamers with the flexibility to choose a configuration that best suits their performance needs and power preferences.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition vs. MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM Specifications
| Specification | Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition | Claw A8 BZ2EM |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (8 cores / 8 threads, up to 4.8GHz) | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (8 cores / 18 threads, up to 5.0GHz) |
| Graphics (GPU) | Intel Arc integrated graphics (8 Xe cores) | AMD Radeon 890M (16 RDNA 3 compute units) |
| RAM | Up to 32GB LPDDR5 | Up to 24GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 2TB NVMe SSD | 1x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD slot + microSD card reader |
| Display | 8-inch FHD+ (1920×1200), 120Hz, VRR | 8-inch FHD+ (1920×1200), 120Hz, VRR |
| Battery | Not officially disclosed | 80Wh |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions (mm) | Not officially disclosed | 299.5 x 126.2 x 24 mm |
| Weight | Not officially disclosed | 765 grams |
| Color Options | Glossy white (Polar Tempest Edition), other variants | Lime green, white, black |
| Special Features | Glossy UV coating, award-winning design | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, bold color options |
MSI’s Handheld Pricing and Availability
As of now, MSI has not disclosed the official price or release date for the Claw A8 BZ2EM and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition. Let’s wait until the official announcement.
- Meanwhile, watch our 2.5 Lakh PC is INSANE for Gaming & 4K Editing:
