MSI has two variants for its Claw AI+ handhelds. Both will have similar hardware, but one will have a 7-inch display, while the other will feature an 8-inch screen.
Amazon lists MSI Claw 8 AI+, boasting Core Ultra 7 258V, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB storage. The handheld is expected to launch at the end of December
We finally have the exact specifications of the upcoming MSI gaming handheld, CLAW 8 AI+. However, this time we have also learned that the company has also prepared a smaller variant of the console with equivalent hardware but with a smaller storage capacity and screen size.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ Amazon page is currently live, although the price isn't listed. Videocardz reports that it is priced at $899, featuring Core Ultra 7 258V processors, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1TB of storage capacity. The handheld can't be purchased yet as there is still an official embargo, which is expected to be lifted on 25th December.
Surprisingly, MSI has one more variant with a similar configuration but with a smaller 7-inch display and a slightly different design. It's the Claw 7 AI+, which is also a successor to the original Claw 7 but boasts the latest Core Ultra 258V processor instead of Meteor Lake Ultra 5 135H or Ultra 7 155H. That said, it has 512 GB of storage, but the RAM remains the same.
Both handhelds are the first to feature 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory after OneXFly F1 Pro, which is 8 GB higher than the ROG Ally X. However, more brands will soon unveil their newer gaming handhelds with 32 Gigs of RAM, including the OneXFly F1 Pro, which boasts the Strix Point Ryzen AI 9 365/HX 370 processor. Thankfully, the Claw 8 AI+ isn't going to be as expensive as the OneXFly F1 Pro and will have a price tag of $899, while the Claw 7 AI+ will cost $799.
Lunar Lake chips are better at gaming performance, leveraging the power of Intel's current-gen Xe2, and both iterations of the Claw AI+ handhelds will have the Arc 140V iGPU. However, unlike Strix Point chips, the Core Ultra 7 258V is an 8-core/8-thread APU, while the former boasts either 10-core/20-thread or 12-core/24-thread config.
Nonetheless, it's great to see a new competitor entering the market, which is going to take over the ROG Ally X, which is one of the best gaming handhelds today. At $899, the Claw 8 AI+ is going to compete directly with Ally X and will have the same 80Wh battery. Moreover, there are some upgrades in the connectivity area as well.
News Sources: Amazon (Claw 8 AI+), Amazon (Claw 7 AI+)
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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