Was the EX for Expensive? MSI appears to have prematurely revealed pricing for its upcoming Claw 8 EX AI+ gaming handheld, with an online store listing indicating a launch price of $1,799 ahead of the company's planned June 23 announcement. The listing, reportedly for the Claw 8 EX AI+ (CG3EM-024US), aligns closely with earlier rumors that suggested a European price point around €1,500. While MSI had already showcased the device prior to Computex 2026, the company had withheld final pricing and availability details until later this month. The appearance of the handheld on MSI's online storefront also confirms a June 23 shipping date, suggesting that current component and memory supply constraints have not significantly impacted MSI's launch plans. At least for the initial production run, availability appears to be on schedule.

Hardware specifications remain unchanged from those presented during Computex. The Claw 8 EX AI+ features 32 GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory, a 1 TB PCIe SSD, and a large 80 Wh battery. The handheld is equipped with an 8-inch display offering a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 120 Hz refresh rate, variable refresh rate (VRR) support, and up to 500 nits of brightness.

The MSI store entry further confirms that the device is powered by Intel's Arc G3 Extreme integrated graphics solution. At present, MSI has not announced a lower-cost variant featuring the standard Arc G3 graphics configuration. The Arc G3 Extreme incorporates 12 Xe3 graphics cores, while the regular Arc G3 configuration found in Intel's Arc B370 integrated graphics features 10 Xe3 cores.

With a premium price tag of $1,799, the Claw 8 EX AI+ is positioned at the high end of the handheld gaming market, targeting enthusiasts seeking maximum performance from Intel's latest mobile platform. MSI is expected to formally unveil pricing, availability, and additional launch details on June 23.

Source: MSI USA