MSI Claw A8 US Price Leaks Online — And It’s Expensive
The next-generation handheld PC from MSI is aiming for the premium tier, with early chatter suggesting a price that could position it among the costlier options in its class. A US listing circulating online hints at a starting price near $1,149, though MSI has yet to confirm any figures.
Launch timing remains uncertain, but the appearance of a US listing indicates the device could be ready to ship soon. After its Computex reveal earlier this year, the Claw A8 has quietly shown up at select retailers abroad, with a US debut seemingly imminent as retail activity picks up.
Under the hood, MSI is pursuing a high-end Windows handheld strategy built around AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme, signaling top-tier performance for portable gaming. The rumored configuration includes 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, Wi‑Fi 7, and a ready-to-wind Windows 11 install out of the box.
Display and responsiveness are in line with premium devices in this space: an 8-inch panel delivering a 1920×1200 resolution with refresh rates up to 120Hz. At the proposed price, the Claw A8 would sit above a model powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 chip, which ships with 32GB of RAM and similar form factors.
In the competitive landscape, the Claw A8 would face another well-known handheld from a major PC manufacturer, which features an OLED panel and detachable controllers and is positioned in the same general price range as the MSI device.
The pricing chatter raises questions about the value proposition: is the combination of high-end RAM, a large fast SSD, fast wireless connectivity, and Windows 11 enough to justify the premium? If the leak holds, MSI may be betting on a segment that prioritizes top performance and a premium feel over budget-friendly portability.
As always, it will be interesting to see how MSI positions the Claw A8 in relation to competing devices that emphasize display quality, modular controls, and battery life. What do you think about the proposed price point for this next-gen handheld? Share your thoughts below.
