MSI has listed its Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld on the official store for $1,799. The device packs an Intel Arc G3 Extreme CPU, Intel Arc B390 graphics, 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, an 8‑inch IPS touch screen and a 1 TB SSD. Early leaks had suggested a $1,500 price tag, but the final figure reflects the high cost of the components.
Product marketing lead Andy Chu told FRVR that MSI tried every avenue to lower memory and storage costs, but supplier pricing left the company with little room to cut the price. He warned that the handheld market is entering a period of higher prices, noting that even the Steam Deck OLED now sells for $949 after a recent 40 % hike. Chu said further price increases are possible if component costs keep rising. The announcement comes as other major players—Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, and Valve—have all raised console or handheld prices in recent months, underscoring a broader industry trend of escalating hardware costs.
