MSI launches Claw 8 EX AI handheld gaming PC at $1,699

MSI will launch its new flagship handheld gaming PC, the Claw 8 EX AI, on June 23, 2026, at a retail price of $1,699, making it the most expensive device of its kind ever sold. The handheld is the first to feature Intel's new Arc G3 Extreme processor and represents a significant price jump in a market that has been rapidly escalating in cost.

The device's specifications are premium. It is equipped with Intel's Panther Lake-based Arc G3 Extreme chip, which includes 12 Xe3 GPU cores and a 14-core CPU. The configuration listed for $1,699 includes 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, a 1TB NVMe SSD, an 8-inch 1920x1200 120Hz IPS touch display, and an 80Wh battery. The hardware also features Hall Effect joysticks and triggers to prevent stick drift, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and WiFi 7 connectivity. MSI's own online store lists the same model at $1,799, though major retailers Newegg and Best Buy have posted the lower price.

Intel claims the new Arc G3 Extreme offers a 44 percent generational performance improvement over its predecessor with AI-powered XeSS upscaling enabled. Early simulated performance data suggests the chip can maintain 60 frames per second in titles like Spider-Man 2 at 900p...