MSI explains why its newest gaming handheld is so expensive and what to expect in the coming years.
MSI Says it Tried Everything to Get Memory and Storage At Lower Cost, but It Will Still be a Difficult Year for Gamers
MSI recently confirmed that the Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld will cost $1,699, as per the official website, while major retailers such as Newegg and Best Buy confirmed a $1,599 price tag. This is already twice as expensive as the Lunar Lake-based Claw 8 handheld, but we all know that the latest handheld has received a massive upgrade in the hardware.
While a price hike was imminent due to the hardware change, we didn't expect MSI to go beyond $1,500. However, the ongoing RAM and SSD shortages have forced almost every vendor to implement price hikes for their products. MSI was also forced to increase the price of its newest handheld that runs on the latest Panther Lake variant, aka Intel Arc G3 Extreme SoC, which brings an Arc B390 iGPU.
The configuration on the Claw 8 EX AI+ is quite powerful for running modern titles without needing any upscalers and makes a noticeable improvement in its design as well. Nonetheless, a $1,599/$1,699 price tag makes it unaffordable to the masses, and MSI's product marketing lead, Andy Chu, explains that it did everything it could to secure RAM and storage at the lowest cost, as per the interview with FRVR.
MSI said that it's a difficult year for both Intel and vendors, as they have to consider the price hikes when pricing their products. Of course, MSI also believes that 2026 is going to be a difficult year for gamers as well due to the current market situation, and as per his comments, it appears that it may be worse in the coming months or years. Andy also said that while it's difficult to comment on whether the handhelds will become cheaper in the near future, it's likely that there will be another price hike down the line.
News Source: FRVR
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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