MSI Claw A8, the first handheld with AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 Extreme, will launch “this summer” says MSI rep
Table of Contents
Handheld gaming fans are currently looking forward to the launch of the MSI Claw A8 ‘Ryzen Edition’. The device was first revealed at Computex 2025, but the company has remained relatively quiet about it since then. During the event, MSI showcased several improvements the new handheld will have over previous models, which made fans even more excited. And now, MSI has finally confirmed that the Claw A8 will be available this summer, with July seemingly likely.
MSI confirmed the news on Bilibili in China (spotted by user AloneAnimal2098 on Reddit), announcing that the handheld will launch this summer. No exact release date has been provided yet by the company, but we can expect it to arrive as soon as next month. It will be the first handheld using a Z2 Extreme processor; the cut-down Z2 Go has already been used in the Legion Go S.
What does the MSI Claw A8 offer?
| Specification | Claw A8 BZ2EM |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzenâ„¢ Z2 Extreme Processor |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Memory | LPDDR5x-8000 onboard, up to 24GB, dual channel |
| Display | 8″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 16:10, Touchscreen, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), VRR, IPS-Level panel |
| Graphics | AMD Radeonâ„¢ Graphics |
| Storage Slots | 1 x NVMe M.2 2280 SSD by PCIe Gen 4 x4 |
| Sensor | 6-Axis IMU Vibration Motor / Fingerprint Reader |
| Audio | 2 × 2W Speakers / 1× Audio combo jack / DTS Audio Processing / Hi-Res Audio ready |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB4® Type-C / DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery 3.0 (Thunderbolt™ 4 Compatible) |
| Card Reader | 1 x microSD Card Reader |
| Communication | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3 |
| Battery | 6-Cell, Li-Polymer, 80Whr |
| Dimension | 29 9.5 x 126.2 x 24 mm |
| Weight | 765g (est.) |
The original MSI Claw stood out because it didn’t use an AMD processor like most of its competition. Instead, it was powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 285V. But now, MSI is trying something new by teaming up with AMD. The new version of the device, called the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM, will use AMD’s powerful Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and AMD Radeon 890M graphics. You can read more about it on the MSI website.
Latest tech deals.
- AMD Ryzenâ„¢ 9 9900X 12-Core - was $499 now $328
- CORSAIR 4000D PC Case - was $124.99 now $75.99
- Hisense 65" Class E6SR - was $549 now $377.99
- Apple 2026 MacBook Air - was $1,999 now $1,799
- Skytech Gaming PC Desktop (9850X3d) - was $4,299 now $3,799
- Apple Magic Mouse - was $79 now $59
- MSI Prestige 16 Flip - was $2,149 now $1,899
- Kotin 9700X Gaming PC - was $2,399 now $2,199
Prices correct as of October 9th, 2026.
The Claw A8 doesn’t just bring a new processor. It also supports up to 24GB of RAM, which means it will be able to handle modern games and multitasking without any issues. It keeps the same big 80Wh battery that was found in the previous MSI Claw 8 AI+. This is great news, as battery life is a big concern in handheld gaming devices. On top of that, the handheld will come with a 1080p display that supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate, so users can expect super-smooth visuals.
What’s also exciting is that MSI has improved the overall design. The new Claw A8 has better ergonomics, which means it should be more comfortable to hold and use for longer gaming sessions. The buttons have also been upgraded to feel clickier and more responsive.
While many other handheld gaming devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go already use AMD chips, the MSI Claw A8 stands out because it will be the first handheld to use the Ryzen Z2 Extreme. This chip is expected to offer great performance for its size, making the Claw A8 a strong contender in the market.
About the Author