MSI warns the Claw 8 EX AI+ at $1,799 costs more than a PS5, Xbox Series X, and Switch 2 combined

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ starts at $1,699 at Newegg and $1,799 directly from MSI, making it more expensive than a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 purchased together. The Intel Arc G3 Extreme variant with 32GB of LPDDR5X memory and 1TB of PCIe Gen 4 storage commands pricing that rivals mid-range gaming laptops.

MSI product marketing lead Andy Chu told FRVR that component costs are the culprit. "It's a really difficult year for Intel and especially the OEM like us," Chu said, pointing to memory and storage price hikes.

"We have tried every approach to get the memory and also storage at a lower cost ... I think we have done everything we can do to make our system as affordable as possible." The global memory shortage, widely referred to as RAMageddon, has hit every player in the handheld space. Valve raised the Steam Deck OLED by $300.

Sony pushed the PS5 Pro to $900 and bumped the disc and digital editions to $650 and $600. Nintendo announced a $50 Switch 2 price increase taking effect in September.

Lenovo's Legion Go 2 also carries a steep premium.

Chu warned the Claw 8 EX AI+ may get even more expensive, stating there is "room for another price hike" that could push it beyond $2,000. That would put it in the same bracket as AMD Strix Halo-powered devices like the OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro. The device itself packs serious hardware.

The 8-inch 120Hz VRR display with Hall-effect sticks and triggers impressed reviewers at Computex 2026, delivering 1080p gaming at 60+ fps on titles like Forza Horizon 6 and Battlefield 6 with High graphics settings via Intel's XeSS upscaling. But the $1,799 price nearly doubles the $899 of the previous Claw 8 AI+.

Chu acknowledged the industry has shifted from Valve's original Steam Deck ethos of affordable, approachable handhelds. "Maybe in the past, for example, Steam Deck is really approachable in terms of the price," he said.

"But, as you can see, Steam Deck also costs a lot right now. So I say it's good timing to take a look at what kind of the true potential or the capability of this new handheld can provide us."

The Claw 8 EX AI+ ships June 23 in the US. Chu's parting assessment was blunt: "It will be a tough year for us and for the gamers."