A True Beast of Portable Gaming: Meet the MSI Claw 8 AI+
The handheld gaming wars have officially leveled up. MSI is back with a massive upgrade to its portable gaming lineup, the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus, a fully re-engineered handheld powered by Intel’s newest AI-ready Core Ultra platform. With a bright 8-inch 120Hz display, enormous battery, upgraded ergonomics, and desktop-class performance, this device aims to challenge the likes of the ROG Ally and other gaming handhelds in 2025. So, is the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus worth buying? Let’s take a look at the specs.
Specs
| Display | The 8-inch Full HD+ 120Hz touchscreen. It’s bright at 500 nits, uses an IPS-level panel, and supports Variable Refresh Rate, meaning buttery-smooth gameplay whether you’re racing or raiding |
| Build | New ergonomic design, MSI refined the grip, triggers, and buttons for comfort. The Hall-Effect joysticks and triggers give precise input without drift, and those RGB halos? They just hit differently in low light |
| Weight | At around 795 grams, it’s heavier than the Ally X, but it feels more solid, like a premium portable PC rather than a toy |
| Processor & Graphics: | The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and Arc 140V GPU bring serious gaming muscle. It even handles AI tasks thanks to the built-in NPU with 47 TOPS of AI compute. You’ll see that power in frame generation and system optimization |
| Storage & Memory | 1TB of NVMe PCIe Gen 4 storage and a massive 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM, all soldered for max efficiency |
| Network & Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, perfect for streaming or pairing your peripherals. And if you dock it, those two Thunderbolt 4 ports give you monitor output, eGPU support, and fast file transfer |
| Battery | 80Wh battery, the largest in any handheld right now. With Endurance Gaming Mode, you can stretch up to four hours on the go. It charges via 65W USB-C PD 3.0, so you can even top up with a power bank |
| OS | Windows 11 Home |
| Bonus Features | Extras include fingerprint unlock, AI-powered system tuning, MSI App Player for Android games, and DTS Hi-Res audio for clean sound through those dual 2W speakers |
Performance: Intel AI Power Meets Portable Gaming
This is the first major handheld to run the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V CPU paired with the Intel AR40V GPU. Together, they deliver seriously competitive gaming performance while enabling AI-powered features like:
- AI-enhanced system tuning
- AI frame generation
- Better battery optimization
The onboard NPU offering 47 TOPS of AI compute pushes this device ahead in future-proofing.
Who Is the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus For?
This handheld is perfect for:
- Gamers who want PC-level performance in a portable form
- Travelers or couch-gamers who want AAA titles on the go
- Users who want a handheld that can double as a desktop replacement
- Players who value battery life, 120Hz displays, and AI-enhanced performance
If you want one device that adapts to every scenario, the Claw 8 AI Plus delivers.
Retail in South Africa
The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus is available in South Africa at:
- Computer Mania: ± R18,999
- FNB: R1,799 per month over 24 months
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Massive 80Wh battery – best in class
- Intel Core Ultra + AI features
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 for docking
- Smooth 120Hz VRR display
- Hall-effect controls – no drift
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Heavier than competing handhelds
- Windows can still feel clunky in handheld mode
- No front camera for streaming
Final Verdict: MSI’s Best Handheld Yet
The MSI Claw 8 AI Plus feels like a confident, refined step forward for MSI. It’s not just catching up, in many areas, it’s pushing ahead of the competition. With a massive battery, stunning 120Hz display, powerful Intel AI hardware, and excellent ergonomics, this is one of the best handheld gaming PCs you can buy in 2025.
If you’re looking for a portable gaming console that doubles as a mini PC and is built for the future of AI-enhanced gaming, the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus should be at the top of your list.