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In June 2024, MSI reportedly had three more Claw handhelds—Claw 2, Claw 3 and Claw 4—on a roadmap spanning roughly two years. That was a report of future plans, not a launch announcement: MSI supplied no firm release dates, complete specifications or guarantee that all three would ship. Since then, the company has expanded the Claw family, but it has not publicly mapped its newer models to those numbered names.
What MSI reportedly planned in 2024
The claim came from a report published June 13, 2024, which said MSI Product Management Director Cliff Chun discussed future Claw generations in an interview with PCWorld at Computex. According to that account, MSI was planning Claw 2, Claw 3 and Claw 4, with the roadmap covering approximately the following two years. Android Headlines’ report of the interview did not provide a detailed public schedule.
The distinction matters: an executive describing products on a roadmap is not the same as MSI formally announcing retail products. The report named the planned generations, but did not establish when they would launch, what they would cost, which regions would get them, or whether every planned model would reach stores.
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AMD was a possibility, not a promise
At the time, MSI was not describing an immediate switch away from Intel. Chun reportedly left open the possibility that a later Claw generation—specifically Claw 3 or Claw 4—could use AMD processors. That was a possibility discussed in 2024, not a commitment to a particular chip or model.
#1 Best Overall
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
MSI’s later products show that the company did eventually use both platforms. The original Claw A1M and Claw 8 AI+ were Intel-based, while MSI’s catalog now lists the AMD Ryzen Z2-series Claw A8 as well as Intel-powered models. That history makes the 2024 AMD discussion relevant, but it does not establish that the A8 is one of the numbered successors. MSI’s handheld catalog lists products by their retail names, not as Claw 2, 3 or 4.
How the Claw family grew after the report
The original roadmap claim arrived as MSI was broadening the line beyond the original Claw A1M. The Claw 8 AI+ offered a larger 8-inch format alongside the earlier handheld, and MSI continued adding models and variants in the years that followed.
Rank #2
- AI-Powered Performance: Harness the capabilities of the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 processor to effortlessly manage demanding tasks. Extend your productivity with the most powerful and reliable performance on the go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
- Claw 7 AI+ and Claw 8 AI+: Intel Core Ultra Series 2 models listed in MSI’s catalog.
- Claw A8: an AMD Ryzen Z2-series handheld listed by MSI.
- Claw 8 EX AI+: announced by MSI on June 1, 2026, with Intel Arc G3 Extreme. MSI specifies an 8-inch 120Hz VRR display, Hall-effect sticks and triggers, XeSS 3 and Multi-Frame Generation, Xbox Mode support, and redesigned ergonomics and haptics. MSI’s announcement notes that launch timing and availability can vary by product and region.
The 2026 announcement is evidence of continued investment in the handheld line, not evidence that the EX AI+ is Claw 3 or Claw 4. MSI’s current catalog, as listed on August 18, 2026, includes the Claw 8 EX AI+, Claw A8, Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+, but does not identify any of them as Claw 2, Claw 3 or Claw 4.
Are the A8 and 8 EX AI+ the promised successors?
That remains unresolved. MSI may have changed the names, reorganized the roadmap into refreshes and variants, or used the numbered labels as internal planning shorthand. Those are plausible interpretations of the product history, not confirmed explanations from MSI. The A8 and 8 EX AI+ demonstrate that the company kept developing Claw handhelds; the available public information does not tie either one to a specific numbered generation.
Rank #3
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258V – AI-Powered Efficiency: Next-gen Series 2 processor delivers 50% better GPU performance and 40% higher efficiency. 47 NPU TOPS accelerate local AI tasks – from Copilot+ to real-time game optimization.
- 8" 120Hz VRR Touch Display: FHD+ IPS screen with 500 nits sunlight readability. 16:10 golden ratio and VRR support eliminate tearing. Perfect for AAA gaming, streaming, or productivity on the go.
- 80Whr Battery + Fast Charge: Massive 80Whr capacity beats most handhelds. Fast charge gets you back in action quickly. Game longer, worry less – whether on a flight or a long commute.
- Revolutionary Intraflow Cooling: Redesigned airflow keeps internal components cool, preventing thermal throttling. Hall Effect analog sticks and triggers offer drift-free, microscopic precision – built to last.
- Unlimited Expansion: Connect external GPU for desktop-class graphics, dual 4K displays, or high-speed storage. Wi-Fi 7 delivers 5.8 Gbps and 2ms latency – lag-free cloud gaming and downloads.
It is also possible that the original roadmap changed. A two-year plan described in 2024 was not a shipping schedule, and the time window reported then does not make any unannounced product overdue or guaranteed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy a Claw now or wait?
Do not make the decision around an assumed Claw 2, 3 or 4 release date: MSI has not published one. Compare the models actually available in your region against their current prices, performance, software state and the kinds of games you play.
Rank #4
- Exposure: 8" FHD (1920 x 1200), Touchscreen, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 100% sRGB (Typical), 500 Nits (Typical), VRR, IPS Level Panel
- Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme
- Hall effect analog activators and sticks built to last with microscopic precision
- RAM: 24GB (Onboard) LPDDR5x-8533MHz | Hard Drive: 1TB NVMe Gen4x4 2230 SSD
- Revolutionary Cooler Boost HyperFlow technology redirects airflow to internal cooling components.
Buying now makes sense if
- You need a handheld soon and find a current Claw at a price that works for you.
- You want Windows flexibility and access to PC storefronts, and are comfortable with the extra setup and update work that can entail.
- You have a clear preference for a particular model’s processor platform or screen size. An 8-inch screen may suit games and Windows controls better, while a smaller handheld can be easier to carry.
Waiting makes sense if
- You are specifically holding out for a product MSI names and dates as a new generation.
- You want more clarity on the next processor platform, battery improvements or long-term software support before spending.
- The price of a current model is too high for the performance and features you need.
The Claw 8 EX AI+ is positioned as a premium device. Tom’s Hardware reported on June 18, 2026, that MSI listed it for $1,799 in the US and that Newegg had a $1,699 listing at that time; those are dated price signals, not guaranteed current or regional prices. Check the report and verify current retailer pricing before comparing it with less expensive handhelds.
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Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
