Despite the RAM crisis driving up electronics prices, I’m still excited about the next generation of gaming handhelds. That’s especially true now, as Computex 2026 has seen the announcement of three machines. I’m sure these systems will be expensive, especially as the Steam Deck OLED now costs over $200 more than its original price. Still, I’m pretty stoked about what’s coming.
The headline systems are the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and the Acer Predator Atlas 8, both powered by the new Intel Arc G3 mobile chip. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is only a superficial upgrade, but a nice one regardless. While each system offers something different, there’s one that’s piqued my interest more than the others.
And which one is that? It’s the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Here’s why.
Smooth performance
The original MSI Claw 7 was the first modern gaming handheld to feature an Intel CPU rather than an AMD chip, so it’s good to see the latest iteration pack the new Intel Arc G3 processor.
This silicon is tailor-made for gaming, with fewer CPU cores but the same Arc B390 integrated GPU with 12 XeS cores. In short, it’s a serious gaming powerhouse.
Game |
Settings |
Frames per second |
|---|---|---|
Hogwarts Legacy |
1200p Medium w/ray tracing - XeSS 3 balanced with MFG 4x |
160 FPS |
Battlefield 6 |
1080p High - XeSS 3 performance no MFG |
65 FPS |
F1 25 |
1200p High w/ ray tracing - XeSS 3 auto with MFG 4x |
180 FPS |
We tested three games, and the results were impressive, to say the least. The frame boosting XeSS 3 is the key to fluid gameplay, as you can see above.
I’m eager to test demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 to see how they run with XeSS on and off. Based on what we saw at Computex, I don’t expect to be disappointed.
Lovely design
Based on what I’ve seen and what my colleagues have said, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ seems to nail the basics for handheld design. The main thing that stands out is that the new Claw is more rounded than its boxier predecessors, which should make it easier to hold. The Xbox controller-like texture should also help with sweaty hands from prolonged gaming sessions.
One major update is that the triggers and analog sticks all use Hall effect technology, which should make them more responsive and longer-lasting. There’s even a new 6-axis vibration motor that gives the device the same kind of rumble support you’d find on gaming controllers. As with the PS5 DualSense controller, you’ll feel it when you walk on different surfaces. This is arguably the feature I want to experience most.
There’s no OLED panel, but the 8-inch 1200p IPS touch display with its up to 120Hz refresh rate should be great for just about any game. Eight inches is also a good spot that’s higher than the 7-inch display of a Steam Deck but not as gargantuan as the 8.8-inch panel of a Lenovo Legion Go.
Lastly, the Claw 8 EX AI+ looks absolutely stunning in that Void Purple finish. I don’t typically care for purple, so this is high praise coming from me.
Outlook
How much will the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ cost? The good news is that it won’t be $2,000 as rumors have suggested. The bad news is that MSI says it is targeting $1,500. Sure, that’s not as expensive as two grand, but it would still make it as pricey as a desktop PC. Even if the price is worth it, that’s still a bitter pill to swallow.
Potential sticker shock aside, I like what I’ve seen of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and am eager to test it out.
The MSI Claw series had a bumpy start with its first handheld, but each subsequent release has made major improvements, and the Claw 8 EX AI+ appears to be the culmination of the company’s persistence in delivering a truly stellar gaming device. If this handheld lives up to the hype, it should be worth considering, even if it costs a pretty penny.
