MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM - Reviews and Specs
Pros
+ Powerful Arc G3 Extreme
+ Fast 120Hz IPS display
+ Large 80Wh battery
+ Modern USB4 connectivity
+ WiFi 7 support
Cons
- Very high price
- Heavy for handheld
- Glossy display reflections
- Onboard memory only
- Verdicts remain mixed
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM is a premium Windows 11 gaming handheld in MSI’s Claw series. It uses Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme processor with a 14-core Panther Lake design and an Arc B390 iGPU, positioning it as one of the fastest handhelds reviewed. Several outlets highlight performance strong enough for demanding games, including 1200p gameplay with XeSS in titles such as Hogwarts Legacy and Battlefield 6. The device includes 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory, a 1 TB SSD, an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 120 Hz IPS display, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, USB4, and Thunderbolt 4. Its 80 Wh battery and extensive connectivity are notable strengths, though the 786 g weight and glossy screen may reduce portability and comfort. With an aggregate rating around 77.7% and a price of €1,649, reviewers see it as powerful and ambitious but expensive for many buyers.
Specifications
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM (Claw Series)
Processor
Intel Arc G3 Extreme 14c/14t, 2 x 4.7 GHz Intel Cougar Cove P-Core, 8 x 3.4 GHz Intel Darkmont E-Core, 4 x 3.1 GHz Intel Darkmont LP E-Core, 37 W PL2 / Short Burst, 25 W PL1 / Sustained, Panther Lake
Graphics adapter
Intel Arc B390 12 Xe3 Panther Lake iGPU, Core: 2300 MHz, 32.0.101.8826
Memory
32 GB
, LPDDR5x-8533, Dual-Channel, onboard
Display
8.00 inch 16:10, 1920 x 1200 pixel 283 PPI, capacitiveIPS, PN8007QB1-2, glossy: yes, 120 Hz, Adaptive Sync
Mainboard
Intel Panther Lake-H PCH
Storage
Micron 2500 1TB MTFDKBA1T0QGN, 1024 GB
Soundcard
Intel Panther Lake-H PCH - High Definition Audio - AVS (Audio, Voice, Speech)
Connections
2 USB4 40 Gbps, 2 Thunderbolt 4, USB-C Power Delivery (PD), 2 DisplayPort, 1 Docking Station Port, Audio Connections: 3.5 mm stereo, Card Reader: microSD Express, 1 Fingerprint Reader
Networking
Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE213 160MHz ( be = Wi-Fi 7), Bluetooth 6
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 48 x 321 x 130 ( = 1.89 x 12.64 x 5.12 in)
Battery
80 Wh
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 11 Home
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo, 65W PSU, MSI Center M, 24 Months Warranty
Weight
786 g ( = 27.73 oz / 1.73 pounds), Power Supply: 339 g ( = 11.96 oz / 0.75 pounds)
Price
1649 Euro
Price comparison
Average Score:
Average of 10 scores (from 19 reviews)
Average of 10 scores (from 19 reviews)
price: 65%, performance: 86%, features: 71%, display: 77% mobility: 88%, workmanship: 79%, ergonomy: 92%, emissions: 81%
Reviews for the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM
Intel's Arc G3 Extreme changes the handheld game - MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review | Notebookcheck
MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ is the first device with Intel's first dedicated handheld SoC Arc G3 Extreme, which features the powerful Arc B390 iGPU. The result is a completely new level of performance, easily beating AMD's dedicated Z2 Extreme handheld chip. Update: Frame generation & additional battery tests
MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ is the first device with Intel's first dedicated handheld SoC Arc G3 Extreme, which features the powerful Arc B390 iGPU. The result is a completely new level of performance, easily beating AMD's dedicated Z2 Extreme handheld chip. Update: Frame generation & additional battery tests
My Favourite Gaming Handheld Console of 2026! | MSI Claw 8 Ex AI+ Review
Source: Tech Spurt
Reviewing the MSI Claw 8 Ex AI+ using the Intel Arc G3 Extreme, one of the best handheld gaming devices of 2026 so far. This handheld console review dives into my favourite features and the gaming performance, plus battery life and beyond. The MSI Claw 8 Ex AI+ may be great and all, but it's also one of the most expensive mobile game consoles around.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/12/2026
Source: Tech Spurt
Reviewing the MSI Claw 8 Ex AI+ using the Intel Arc G3 Extreme, one of the best handheld gaming devices of 2026 so far. This handheld console review dives into my favourite features and the gaming performance, plus battery life and beyond. The MSI Claw 8 Ex AI+ may be great and all, but it's also one of the most expensive mobile game consoles around.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/12/2026
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Handheld Review
Source: CG Mag Online
Despite this, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is a seriously impressive machine that introduces the first real innovation we’ve seen in handheld PC’s in the past year. It marks the first triple-A-ready handheld PC and, as such, is the first of what I hope will be a long line-up of next-generation handhelds that could shift the perception of this market from a fun addition to a gaming setup to a main driver for your gaming setup.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/12/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: CG Mag Online
Despite this, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is a seriously impressive machine that introduces the first real innovation we’ve seen in handheld PC’s in the past year. It marks the first triple-A-ready handheld PC and, as such, is the first of what I hope will be a long line-up of next-generation handhelds that could shift the perception of this market from a fun addition to a gaming setup to a main driver for your gaming setup.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/12/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM Review - Panther Lake FTW
Source: Tech PowerUP
The MSI Claw 8 EX has performance to spare, it performs great from 8 W all the way up to 35 W (although there are hardly any gains going from 30 W to 35 W), it's extremely comfortable, has an excellent 8-inch screen, quality speakers, great controls (some will not like the slightly looser thumbsticks, though), excellent battery life, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, capable cooling (if a bit too aggressive), access to ML-based XeSS upscaling and frame generation, and GPU driver updates handled by Intel in a timely fashion.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/30/2026
Source: Tech PowerUP
The MSI Claw 8 EX has performance to spare, it performs great from 8 W all the way up to 35 W (although there are hardly any gains going from 30 W to 35 W), it's extremely comfortable, has an excellent 8-inch screen, quality speakers, great controls (some will not like the slightly looser thumbsticks, though), excellent battery life, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, capable cooling (if a bit too aggressive), access to ML-based XeSS upscaling and frame generation, and GPU driver updates handled by Intel in a timely fashion.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/30/2026
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review
Source: IGN
Just like with the Steam Machine, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has come out at an unfortunate time. I’m not sure how much this handheld would have been before memory prices skyrocketed, but at $1799, it’s hard to recommend to most people.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/26/2026
Source: IGN
Just like with the Steam Machine, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has come out at an unfortunate time. I’m not sure how much this handheld would have been before memory prices skyrocketed, but at $1799, it’s hard to recommend to most people.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/26/2026
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: this next-gen gaming handheld is a game changer
Source: The Shortcut
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the most powerful gaming handheld in the world, and it’s all thanks to Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor. This new chip allows this gaming handheld to completely leapfrog every past gaming handheld, delivering far higher fps, letting you play more games on the go, and with higher-quality settings.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/24/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: The Shortcut
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the most powerful gaming handheld in the world, and it’s all thanks to Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor. This new chip allows this gaming handheld to completely leapfrog every past gaming handheld, delivering far higher fps, letting you play more games on the go, and with higher-quality settings.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/24/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review: The Best Handheld PC, but You’ll Have to Pay for It
Source: Gizmodo
What do you actually want your gaming handheld to do for you? If you told me, “Play Nintendo games,” go buy a Switch 2. If next on your checklist is “Give me the best mix of performance and efficiency in something I can take on a plane,” then there’s only one answer now.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/24/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Gizmodo
What do you actually want your gaming handheld to do for you? If you told me, “Play Nintendo games,” go buy a Switch 2. If next on your checklist is “Give me the best mix of performance and efficiency in something I can take on a plane,” then there’s only one answer now.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/24/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Review: Arc G3 Extreme Takes The Handheld Crown
Source: Hot Hardware
There are basically three tiers of gaming handhelds. On the bottom you have low-cost devices, often based on Arm processors running Android, and at the top tier you have luxurious devices with Ryzen AI Max+ processors and exotic features. We wish it didn't command such a high premium, but there are certainly some of you out there for whom an $1800 purchase for a device like the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ isn't an issue.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/23/2026
Source: Hot Hardware
There are basically three tiers of gaming handhelds. On the bottom you have low-cost devices, often based on Arm processors running Android, and at the top tier you have luxurious devices with Ryzen AI Max+ processors and exotic features. We wish it didn't command such a high premium, but there are certainly some of you out there for whom an $1800 purchase for a device like the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ isn't an issue.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/23/2026
MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus Handheld Fires Up Your Windows Gaming
Source: CNet
There are three intertwined stories in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus: one about a solid, smartly redesigned Windows gaming handheld; one about the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, which drives it to class-leading performance; and a sadly oft-repeated one about how the Windows implementation still makes me bonkers.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 81%
Source: CNet
There are three intertwined stories in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus: one about a solid, smartly redesigned Windows gaming handheld; one about the new Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, which drives it to class-leading performance; and a sadly oft-repeated one about how the Windows implementation still makes me bonkers.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 81%
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review: Unlimited power (and budget)
Source: Gadgetguy
Everything about the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is great, except for the price. $2,749 is a lot of money. It’s more than I paid for my MacBook Air that I use every day. You could buy nearly four Nintendo Switch 2s, three PS5s, or a Steam Machine with that kind of money, and have some change left over.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 65% performance: 90% workmanship: 85%
Source: Gadgetguy
Everything about the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is great, except for the price. $2,749 is a lot of money. It’s more than I paid for my MacBook Air that I use every day. You could buy nearly four Nintendo Switch 2s, three PS5s, or a Steam Machine with that kind of money, and have some change left over.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 65% performance: 90% workmanship: 85%
I played on MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ while traveling around the world, and it is a true next generation gaming handheld with one fatal flaw
Source: Tom's Guide
And that’s the story of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ — easily the best PC gaming handheld I’ve ever tested, but I’m conflicted by that price. It’s a tall order at $1,800, but it’s also the generational leap I was hoping for. So really it’s going to come down to that price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Tom's Guide
And that’s the story of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ — easily the best PC gaming handheld I’ve ever tested, but I’m conflicted by that price. It’s a tall order at $1,800, but it’s also the generational leap I was hoping for. So really it’s going to come down to that price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 80%
“This is the gaming handheld we’ve been waiting for” — MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review of a masterpiece priced for the few
Source: Windows Central
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ represents the definitive, high-frame-rate next step for handheld gaming, driven by the generational leap of Intel's Arc G3 Extreme chip, which completely resets our expectations for mobile silicon. MSI has genuinely redeemed itself here, pairing that raw power with a beautifully sloped, Xbox-style flared grip design and drastically upgraded tactile haptics.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Windows Central
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ represents the definitive, high-frame-rate next step for handheld gaming, driven by the generational leap of Intel's Arc G3 Extreme chip, which completely resets our expectations for mobile silicon. MSI has genuinely redeemed itself here, pairing that raw power with a beautifully sloped, Xbox-style flared grip design and drastically upgraded tactile haptics.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 06/23/2026
Rating: Total score: 90%
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Hands-On: This is the evolution I was waiting for
Source: 91mobiles
Of course, I’ll reserve my final verdict for a full review. A few hours on a crowded Computex show floor can only reveal so much about battery life, sustained thermals, software stability, and long-term performance. But as far as first impressions go, the Claw 8 EX AI+ couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/16/2026
Source: 91mobiles
Of course, I’ll reserve my final verdict for a full review. A few hours on a crowded Computex show floor can only reveal so much about battery life, sustained thermals, software stability, and long-term performance. But as far as first impressions go, the Claw 8 EX AI+ couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/16/2026
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ hands-on review: the most powerful gaming handheld in the world
Source: The Shortcut
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the most powerful gaming handheld at Computex and possibly the entire world, and it’s all thanks to Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor. I got to test MSI’s new handheld in Taipei, and it’s a beast that can run Hogwarts Legacy at a steady 60 fps with 1200p medium settings and XeSS supersampling set to balanced. It can also handle 60fps Battlefield 6 at 1200p high with XeSS performance mode.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/31/2026
Source: The Shortcut
The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the most powerful gaming handheld at Computex and possibly the entire world, and it’s all thanks to Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor. I got to test MSI’s new handheld in Taipei, and it’s a beast that can run Hogwarts Legacy at a steady 60 fps with 1200p medium settings and XeSS supersampling set to balanced. It can also handle 60fps Battlefield 6 at 1200p high with XeSS performance mode.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 05/31/2026
Foreign Reviews
MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Gaming Handheld Review – Intel Disrupts The Handheld Segment With Arc G3
Source: WCM
DE→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/10/2026
Source: WCM
DE→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/10/2026
Primeras impresiones de la MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ en el Computex 2026: más ergonómica, mejor refrigerada y con la nueva Intel Arc G3 Extreme
Source: Profesional Review
ES→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/08/2026
Source: Profesional Review
ES→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/08/2026
Test MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ : Intel booste la console portable la plus puissante du marché
Source: Les Numeriques
FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/01/2026
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 90% display: 80% mobility: 100% workmanship: 60%
Source: Les Numeriques
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/01/2026
Rating: Total score: 90% performance: 90% display: 80% mobility: 100% workmanship: 60%
Prise en main MSI Claw EX AI+, un challenger déjà en place
Source: Journal du Geek FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/29/2026
Source: Journal du Geek
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Short, Date: 06/29/2026
J’adore la nouvelle console MSI Claw, mais je ne peux pas la recommander
Source: Frandroid FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/26/2026
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 90% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
Source: Frandroid
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 06/26/2026
Rating: Total score: 70% performance: 90% display: 70% mobility: 80% workmanship: 80%
MSI Claw G3 : on a pris en main la console qui mise tout sur Intel pour battre AMD
Source: Frandroid FR→EN
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/06/2026
Source: Frandroid
FR→ENSingle Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 06/06/2026
Comment
Intel Arc B390 Panther Lake iGPU: Most powerful iGPU in the Intel Panther Lake SoC series with 12 Xe3 cores.
With these GPUs you are able to play modern and demanding games fluently at medium detail settings and HD resolution.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
Arc G3 Extreme: Fast 14-core SoC from the Panther Lake family and powerful 12-core Xe3 GPU cores. As with Lunar Lake, the built-in NPU 5 offers 46 TOPS and now offers support for FP8. » Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
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