MSI has unveiled the Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheld featuring the Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, an 8-inch 120Hz touchscreen, and updated ergonomics, though pricing and launch date remain unannounced.
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<img alt="The MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheld." data-caption="It may only be available in this “Void Purple” color option. | Image: MSI" data-portal-copyright="Image: MSI" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/MSI-Claw-8-EX-AI-Plus.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
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It may only be available in this “Void Purple” color option. | Image: MSI </figcaption>
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<p class="has-text-align-none">MSI has unveiled a new Claw 8 handheld gaming PC ahead of the Computex 2026 show, and this model swaps out its predecessors' Intel Lunar Lake mobile chip for a specialized handheld processor. MSI describes the Claw 8 EX AI Plus as being the "world's first" handheld to contain the recently announced <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/938692/intel-arc-g3-extreme-handheld-gaming">Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor</a>, which features an array of Xe3 GPU cores to run games.</p>
<p class="has-text-align-none">We should note that the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2182504/the-acer-predator-atlas-8-is-one-of-the-first-handhelds-to-feature-intel-s-latest-arc-g3-chips/">Acer Predator Atlas 8</a> and <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/one-netbook/onexplayer-3-next-gen-3-in-1-ai-gaming-and-productivity-handheld">OneXPlayer 3</a> gaming handhelds are also expected to launch with these chips, but MSI may be the first out of the gate. The Claw 8 EX AI Plus also has a single NVME M.2 SSD slot for gaming and data storage, and su …</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/939758/msi-claw-8-ex-ai-plus-gaming-handheld-reveal-computex-2026">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
# This is MSI’s new Claw 8 EX AI Plus gaming handheld
Source: [https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/939758/msi-claw-8-ex-ai-plus-gaming-handheld-reveal-computex-2026](https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/939758/msi-claw-8-ex-ai-plus-gaming-handheld-reveal-computex-2026)
[](https://www.theverge.com/authors/jess-weatherbed)
Jess Weatherbed
is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture\. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews\.
MSI has unveiled a new Claw 8 handheld gaming PC ahead of the Computex 2026 show, and this model swaps out its predecessors’ Intel Lunar Lake mobile chip for a specialized handheld processor\. MSI describes the Claw 8 EX AI Plus as being the “world’s first” handheld to contain the recently announced[Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor](https://www.theverge.com/tech/938692/intel-arc-g3-extreme-handheld-gaming), which features an array of Xe3 GPU cores to run games\.
We should note that the[Acer Predator Atlas 8](https://www.engadget.com/2182504/the-acer-predator-atlas-8-is-one-of-the-first-handhelds-to-feature-intel-s-latest-arc-g3-chips/)and[OneXPlayer 3](https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/one-netbook/onexplayer-3-next-gen-3-in-1-ai-gaming-and-productivity-handheld)gaming handhelds are also expected to launch with these chips, but MSI may be the first out of the gate\. The Claw 8 EX AI Plus also has a single NVME M\.2 SSD slot for gaming and data storage, and supports up to 32GB of dual\-channel LPDDR5x memory, though MSI hasn’t specified what RAM configurations will be available\. The launch date and price also haven’t been announced yet, but the previous[MSI Claw 8 AI Plus](https://www.theverge.com/pc-gaming/769609/msi-claw-8-ai-plus-intel-review)was $1,000 when it launched last year\.
What we do know is that the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus features an eight\-inch 1920 x 1200 touchscreen that runs at up to 120Hz\. It also has a new chassis design with updated grips that aim to be more comfortable during long gaming sessions, alongside Hall effect triggers and sticks that offer more precise control\. MSI says a new high\-end linear motor has been introduced for faster and improved haptic feedback and “improved power efficiency” — though it didn’t mention how long you can expect the battery to last\.
Only one color option seems to be available, which MSI describes as “Void Purple\.” We’ll have to wait and see how it fares for actual gaming performance, but it can’t be worse than[MSI’s disastrous first attempt](https://www.theverge.com/24105991/msi-claw-review)at delivering a powerful gaming handheld\.
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- Jess Weatherbed
The Verge's Sean Hollister previews the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus handheld with Intel's new Arc G3 Extreme chip, claiming significant performance and battery life improvements over AMD's flagship, potentially making Intel the leader in portable gaming chips.
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