MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Brings Faster Gaming—At A Premium Price

According to Intel, this can deliver up to 42% better performance than the Xbox Ally X, and initial testing reveals significant performance improvements in some of the more demanding games. That additional performance comes at a high price, though, and it begs the question of value given the hardware's capabilities.

The first thing that leaps to mind when considering the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is its performance. Performance is the first thing that comes to mind about MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Xbox Ally X's Crimson Desert drops to 27 fps at 1080p on High settings with no frame generation; the Claw drops to 36 fps at the same resolution and settings. That's 37% better.

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ Provides Higher Frame Rates

Ally X offers 72 fps at Low settings, whereas the MSI Claw offers 81 fps, an improvement of 12.5%. Even in such an intense title as Stalker 2, the handheld delivers 60fps to 70fps when frame generation is not used with Low settings. It's pretty impressive for a portable gaming device to reach those numbers in a game built in a modern Unreal Engine.

The enhanced gaming performance results from improved Frame Generation. Gamers still don't agree on the frame rate, but it's now Intel's, and that seems to be a tidier implementation. The system can support up to 4x frame generation, enabling higher frame rates without compromising visual quality.

4x frame generation is a great performance boost in Crimson Desert, but makes latency more apparent. Generating a frame at half the rate (2x) will create a more responsive, smoother experience.

In supported games, it is more responsive and easier to use than other options, such as Lossless Scaling. Performance may vary depending on software compatibility; not all games support this technology. These are preliminary hands-on observations and are not a comprehensive benchmarking.

Long gaming Sessions are Made Comfortable

Claw 8's shape is more comfortable than the previous generation of Claws. What makes the Grips special is that they offer a similar secure grip to the Xbox Ally X and are lighter than the Legion Go 2. Longer games are easier to play because the device can be held in the hand without constantly changing gripping positions.

An unusual feature is that the lower screen is slightly lower than the controls. While it's a bit odd at first, the idea of having the display higher and angled toward the top comes in handy when you're not playing with the handheld on the ground, such as when you're holding it up against your chest, which puts the screen at a natural incline.

The lack of an OLED display is compensated for by Speaker Quality. MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is a versatile gaming handheld with four of the best features: sound. One of the best things about the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is its versatility in terms of sound. The speakers are also robust and highly immersive, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

The display doesn't feature OLED technology, though. Viewing angles also show some brightness loss at off-axis positions, and visibility outdoors may be difficult due to reflections. Legion Go 2's OLED panel is larger and delivers richer images than the Go 1's.

Despite this, the Claw's speaker output helps maintain the immersion. The audio experience makes up for some of the drawbacks of the graphics area, thanks to the LCD panel and its performance benefits.

Performance Modes Emphasize Efficiency

There are several power management options, including AI Engine, Endurance Mode, and Manual Mode. AI Engine automatically optimizes power usage in line with the application's requirements, minimizing power consumption when it is not needed. The Endurance Mode feature enables users to set the desired frame rate, such as 30fps, 40fps, or 60fps, and the system will only consume the power required to deliver that fps.

This way, it can achieve a balance between performance and battery usage, reducing energy waste during gameplay. The strong performance efficiency results in improved battery life. An interesting feature of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is its efficiency.

Performance Mode is claimed to deliver the same performance as the Xbox Ally X at 35W while reducing power consumption. In tests, Performance Mode lasted for between 2 hours and 40 minutes and 3 hours and 30 minutes of gameplay.

If the battery life was measured at maximum performance, it was about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Using more conservative power settings made the games last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, depending on the game and the target frame rate. The efficiency and battery life give the handheld a longer gaming time than many of its competitors.

Portable Gaming has been Expanded, Extended, and Enhanced

There's also an additional performance space to support docked play. The MSI Claw is attached to a TV and controller and supports 1440p gaming in supported games. Crimson Desert reached approximately 80 fps at 1440p during testing with frame generation enabled.

The numbers still need to be matched to the frame generation, but the results show that the device can be used as both a handheld and a compact gaming PC.

High prices represent a big hurdle. The main issue with MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is its cost. It costs around $1,800, which many gamers might not be able to afford. The high power, ample memory, efficiency, and impressive audio output are a winning blend. But without an OLED screen, the price tag is harder to stomach than that of some other high-end handheld models.

The price is pretty steep for those who aren't looking for anything serious.

These are all tangible benefits of the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, including boosted performance, increased efficiency, long battery life, impressive speakers, and a user-friendly design. It's capable of handling more demanding modern games than many current handhelds, and offers sufficient power to dock and play games at higher resolutions.

Its biggest disadvantages are the lack of an OLED display and high cost. Claw is an interesting choice for gamers who want to get the most out of their portable console. Whether it's worth the price for this performance boost will be a matter of opinion.  If you're a game enthusiast who values a portable AAA gaming performance, travel convenience, and the possibility of a handheld game PC, it might be worth your while.