The upcoming MSI Claw A8 is the first gaming handheld to use AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. It’s already available in China, and it became available for pre-order in Taiwan last week. Now, the first pre-orders in Europe are showing up online, confirming the price tag of the new flagship handheld in the region. Two retailers – German and Slovakian – have been spotted stocking the new Claw A8 for just under €1,000.

Early reviews in China provided us with the first hands-on benchmarks, and even more Ryzen Z2 Extreme benchmarks appeared online just a few days ago, helping to determine where this handheld compares to the last generation. So far, it appears to be a solid generational upgrade.

How much will it cost in the US?

Based on European pricing, the MSI Claw A8 in the U.S. could cost around $950. It’s worth noting that the Claw 8 AI+ retails for $999 (up from an initial introductory price of $899, likely due to tariffs), so the new Z2 Extreme model is within the same ballpark.

The pricing for the MSI Claw has always been one of its drawbacks, especially with cheaper options like the Steam Deck or even the ASUS ROG Ally on the market. However, the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X (also with the Z2 Extreme) might even break the $1,000 USD mark, according to price leaks from an official partner. That means the new Claw doesn’t seem so overpriced, but it’s definitely not cheap.

Previous MSI Claw handhelds have enjoyed a period of exclusivity in China, and the same is happening with the A8. However, it hasn’t taken too long for the handheld to show up in Europe. We’re yet to see any U.S. retailers stocking the new model, but there’s plenty of interest in the first Z2E handheld, so MSI should probably launch it before the Xbox Ally X later this year.

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Charlie Noon

Charlie is the Affiliate manager for PC Guide. He has a vast understanding of most PC hardware and consumer essentials, using his knowledge to provide the best products and the biggest deals.