MSI plans to begin shipping the Claw 8 EX AI+ on June 23, 2026, with a retail price of $1,800. The company says the pricing is tied to current challenges in the memory market and warns that supply conditions may become more difficult in the near term.
The Claw 8 EX AI+ runs on Intel’s Arc G3 chip, packing both processing and graphics power into a 65W design. Instead of trying to undercut rivals on price like the Steam Deck, MSI is going all-in on performance and pitching the device as a handheld that doesn’t cut corners.
According to MSI product marketing manager Andy Chu, having stronger access to hardware components than some competitors has done little to offset rising costs. Chu said 2026 has been a difficult year for both Intel and device manufacturers, with memory and storage prices continuing to increase. As those expenses grow, manufacturers are finding it harder to absorb them internally, leading to higher prices for consumers.
Chu said MSI has explored every available option to secure memory and storage components at lower prices, including strengthening relationships with suppliers and negotiating more favorable terms. He added that the company’s leadership has worked to keep systems as affordable as possible despite ongoing cost pressures.
The Claw 8 EX AI+ will still launch with a price tag of $1,800 despite MSI’s attempts to control costs. The company is presenting the device as a premium handheld designed for enthusiasts and says customers should consider its performance and feature set alongside its price.
According to Chu, market conditions could worsen in the coming months as demand from the AI industry continues to put pressure on memory supplies. That could lead to further increases in component costs. Even with those challenges, MSI expects its handheld business to remain relatively stable, including sales of the higher-priced Claw 8 EX AI+.
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