MSI Has a New Handheld That Costs Almost $2,000 – And You Thought Consoles Were Expensive
MSI unveiled the Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld device at Computex, positioning it as a premium entry in the portable gaming space. The device boasts impressive specifications, including 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and what MSI claims is the market’s best APU, delivering significant processing power for gaming on the go.
However, the device’s price point has drawn considerable attention. The top-tier configuration with an Arc G3 EX chip carries a price tag of nearly $2,000, making it substantially more expensive than traditional gaming consoles. To illustrate the premium positioning, a single Claw 8 EX AI+ costs approximately what a consumer could spend on a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 combined.
This pricing strategy highlights the division between high-end portable gaming devices and mainstream home consoles. While the handheld gaming market has expanded significantly in recent years, MSI’s approach targets enthusiasts willing to pay premium prices for portability paired with desktop-class performance. The announcement demonstrates manufacturers’ ongoing efforts to push handheld capabilities toward full-sized gaming systems, though at a considerable cost premium for mobile convenience.