MSI Claw A8 Debuts as First Next-Gen Gaming Handheld

Handheld gaming PCs have gained significant traction since the Steam Deck revolutionized the market in 2022, yet for two years, high-performance models relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. The MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, stands out as the first handheld featuring AMD's Z2 Extreme processor announced earlier at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares similarities with the recent Claw 8 AI but introduces key upgrades. MSI reduced the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X running at 8,000MHz while adding VRR (variable refresh rate) support to its 120Hz FullHD display, minimizing screen tearing during gameplay.

The most notable upgrade shifts from Intel's Core Ultra 7 285V to AMD's Z2 Extreme - an gaming APU boasting 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. This GPU not only exceeds the Z1 Extreme's 12 Compute Units but also advances the architecture by half a generation.

MSI simultaneously announced an updated Claw 8 AI+ model featuring a new color option and larger 2TB SSD, though retaining the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.

While MSI plans to release the Claw A8 later this year, specific pricing and availability remain undisclosed. Given the $999 price tag of the Claw 8 AI+, this AMD-powered variant will likely command premium pricing.

Competition Heats Up for AMD Z2 Extreme

AMD quietly revealed its Ryzen Z2 Extreme at CES in January 2025, yet five months later, no handheld featuring this chip has reached consumers. The race is now on to see which manufacturer launches first.

Technically, Lenovo's CES-debuted Legion Go 2 incorporates the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo hasn't signaled any release timeline. Instead, consumers received the Z2 Go-powered Legion Go S - ironically both less capable and pricier than its predecessor.

Industry leaks suggest Asus' rumored ROG Ally 2 will likely adopt the Z2 Extreme, though unconfirmed. Additional speculation points to a potential collaboration with Microsoft for an Xbox-branded Ally 2 variant using the same chipset.

Notably, Valve has confirmed the Steam Deck 2 won't utilize the Z2 Extreme, citing insufficient generational improvements from AMD's latest chipset. While this casts doubt on the Z2 Extreme's performance leap, upcoming Steam Deck alternatives will nevertheless raise the bar for portable gaming hardware.