The Claw 8 AI+ weighs 795 grams, making it heavier than the Steam Deck, primarily due to its larger battery capacity.

Positioned as a premium handheld, the Claw 8 AI+ aims to surpass the performance of competitors like the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck.

Pre-orders for the Polar Tempest Edition began unexpectedly, relying on word-of-mouth and influencer promotion rather than a formal marketing campaign.

The Claw 7 A2HM has been submitted for certification, suggesting a potential launch timeframe around August 2025.

MSI has revealed details about its upcoming gaming handheld, the Claw 7 A2HM, while officially announcing the Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition.

The Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest, a white variant of the original model, will feature 2TB of SSD storage and is set for release in mid-May 2025 at a price of $999.

This new handheld is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with 32GB of RAM and an Intel Arc GPU, ensuring strong performance for demanding games.

With an 80 WHr battery, the Claw 8 AI+ is expected to outperform the Nintendo Switch 2, which has a significantly smaller 20 WHr battery.

Despite its impressive specifications, the Claw 8 AI+ may face challenges in the US market due to potential tariffs that could increase its price.

Historically, MSI's model naming conventions suggest that the A2HM will likely include an Intel chip, although there is speculation about the possibility of an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor.

The Claw 8 AI+ addresses performance issues seen in its predecessor, which struggled in the market, indicating a positive shift for MSI's handheld offerings.

The high price point of the Claw 8 AI+ raises concerns about its accessibility for gamers, especially if tariffs impact its final cost.