MSI Claw A8 Debuts as Next-Gen Gaming Handheld

Handheld gaming PCs have gained significant traction since the Steam Deck revolutionized the market in 2022. However, for two years, top-tier devices relied on the same Z1 Extreme chipset. The MSI Claw A8, unveiled at Computex 2025, breaks this trend as the first handheld featuring AMD's Z2 Extreme processor announced earlier at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 builds upon its predecessor, the Claw 8 AI, with 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. This enhancement significantly minimizes screen tearing during gameplay.

The most substantial upgrade comes from replacing the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V with AMD's Z2 Extreme APU. This gaming powerhouse combines 8 Zen 5 CPU cores with 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores - not only increasing Compute Units from the Z1 Extreme's 12 but also advancing the architecture by a half-generation.

Alongside the A8, MSI introduced an updated Claw 8 AI+ featuring a new color option and larger 2TB SSD, though it retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V processor.

While MSI hasn't announced specific pricing or launch dates for the Claw A8, its anticipated late 2025 release likely positions it as a premium device. Given the Claw 8 AI+ retails at $999, this AMD-powered variant may command an even higher price point.

Competition Heats Up for AMD Z2 Extreme

AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme made a quiet debut at CES 2025, yet five months later, no handheld featuring this chip has reached consumers. The tech community now waits to see which manufacturer will deliver first.

While Lenovo's Legion Go 2 was announced with Z2 Extreme at CES 2025, the company has remained silent about its release timeline. Instead, they launched the Z2 Go-powered Legion Go S, which ironically offered less performance at a higher price than its predecessor.

Industry rumors suggest the upcoming Asus ROG Ally 2 will likely adopt the Z2 Extreme, possibly in collaboration with Microsoft for an Xbox-branded variant. However, Asus has yet to confirm these plans officially.

One notable exception is Valve's Steam Deck 2, which won't utilize the Z2 Extreme. Valve maintains the chip doesn't represent sufficient generational improvements to warrant a new device. While this raises questions about the Z2 Extreme's capabilities, it ensures future handheld alternatives will still offer meaningful upgrades over current models.