quickutilities – MSI has begun rolling out its new Claw A8 handheld gaming console in Europe following its initial debut in Southeast Asia. After launching earlier in July in China and more recently in Cambodia and Taiwan. The Claw A8 is now available for pre-order in Austria, Germany, and Slovakia. This latest release comes before a global launch announcement and ahead of new Asus ROG Ally models. Giving MSI a head start in the handheld gaming market.
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The MSI Claw A8 is priced competitively in Europe, coming in slightly below the existing Claw 8 AI+ despite offering similar hardware. Retailers Alza and Smarty.sk list the device at €975 and €978.90, respectively. Both versions include 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. The handheld is available in two color variants: Neon Green and Polar Tempest.
While MSI showcased the AMD Ryzen-powered Claw A8 in May during Computex 2025. It has yet to confirm a broader international release. Instead MSI appears to be quietly bringing the device to more regions in a staggered rollout. A strategy that could help gauge market reception and supply chain readiness.
Ryzen Z2 Extreme Sets Claw A8 Apart with Strong Graphics and Expandability
The MSI Claw A8 stands out primarily due to its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. This chipset combines eight Zen 5 CPU cores with a Radeon 890M integrated GPU, offering a new performance profile for handheld gaming. Early benchmarks suggest the Ryzen Z2 Extreme delivers performance on par with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V, found in the more expensive Claw 8 AI+. However, it does show a performance dip under low power conditions, which is common in mobile devices.
One significant upgrade over the Claw 8 AI+ is the inclusion of an M.2 2280 SSD slot. This larger and more standard drive format allows for easier upgrades and better compatibility with higher-capacity SSDs. The original Claw 8 AI+ uses a smaller, more restrictive storage interface, limiting flexibility for storage expansion.
These improvements help justify the Claw A8’s pricing and give it a functional edge, even as it undercuts its sibling in cost. For players prioritizing customization, the newer model’s SSD versatility may make it a better long-term choice. With solid graphics performance and modern internals, the Claw A8 is positioned as a strong contender in the growing market for portable gaming PCs.
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MSI’s strategic regional rollout, combined with compelling specs and competitive pricing, could help the Claw A8 build momentum ahead of rivals. As global availability widens, more gamers will likely compare it directly to offerings from Asus and Valve. The coming months will reveal how well MSI’s first AMD-powered handheld performs in the broader market.
