Tag: MSI Claw 8 Ryzen Edition

Key Takeaways

1. MSI has started selling the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition in China, despite not providing an official release date for fans.
2. The Claw 8 Ryzen Edition features an 8-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 1200p resolution, similar to the Claw 8 AI+.
3. The device is powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, showing strong performance and energy efficiency compared to its predecessor.
4. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme’s performance is competitive with the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 but has better power efficiency due to its lower core count.
5. Benchmark comparisons between the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition and Claw 8 AI+ are complicated by the use of outdated Intel drivers, making direct performance assessments challenging.

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MSI has yet to provide fans with details about when they can expect their first gaming handheld powered by AMD Ryzen. Recently, the company began selling the MSI Claw 8 Ryzen Edition in China, just days after saying it would be available later in the summer. Surprisingly, the handheld is already being shipped.

Early Impressions

While MSI hasn’t officially confirmed much, a YouTuber has shared some initial thoughts about the device, which can be seen in the video linked below. The Claw 8 Ryzen Edition has a close resemblance to the Claw 8 AI+ (currently priced at $999 on Amazon), as both feature an 8-inch display with 120 Hz refresh rate and 1200p resolution. However, the newer model offers a glimpse into the capabilities of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which hints at the performance we might see from upcoming devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go later this year.

Performance Comparison

The Ryzen Z2 Extreme shows impressive performance, surpassing its predecessor at 12 W of power, but it falls just behind the regular Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 found in recent handhelds such as the Aokzoe A1X and the OneXFly F1 Pro. It seems that the Ryzen Z2 Extreme closely tracks the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 at higher power levels, but it has the advantage of slightly better overall power efficiency due to its reduced CPU core count and lack of an NPU.

Benchmark Challenges

Sadly, the choice to utilize benchmarks from the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with older Intel drivers complicates direct comparisons between the new Claw 8 Ryzen Edition and the Claw 8 AI+ for now. That said, the Core Ultra 7 258V seems to be the more efficient APU at lower wattages. For further details, check out the video below.

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Key Takeaways

1. MSI has launched the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition gaming handheld in select East Asian and Southeast Asian markets, such as Cambodia, China, and Taiwan.

2. The device features an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, 24 GB of LPDDR5x-8000 RAM, and an 8-inch screen, marking it as the first gaming handheld with this AMD processor available for purchase.

3. The Claw 8 Ryzen Edition is priced at CNY 6,999 (approximately $976), similar to existing models, but MSI has not announced pricing for other regions yet.

4. The launch of the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition follows its showcase in China and comes before the release dates of competing devices from Asus and Lenovo.

5. MSI has listed the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition on its global site, suggesting that a wider release is planned in the future.

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MSI has introduced its newest Claw gaming handheld in select markets after showcasing the device earlier this week in China. At that time, the firm only stated that the Claw A8 BZ2EM would be available this summer, also calling it the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition in their advertising due to its AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU.

Availability and Release

Initially, it seemed that Asus would hold off until next week to launch its new Claw, following its confirmed appearance at BiliBiliWorld 2025. However, the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition is now available for purchase in various East Asian and Southeast Asian nations such as Cambodia, China, and Taiwan.

Specifications and Pricing

For those interested, the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition features only a Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, along with 24 GB of LPDDR5x-8000 RAM and the 8-inch screen from the Claw 8 AI+ (currently priced at $999 on Amazon). In essence, this new Claw marks the first AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme-based gaming handheld that is openly available for purchase. In contrast, Asus and Lenovo have yet to provide specific launch dates for their upcoming ROG Ally and Legion Go devices.

The new variant is priced similarly to existing models at CNY 6,999 (about $976). Sadly, MSI has not yet announced pricing for other regions. Nonetheless, the company has listed the Claw 8 Ryzen Edition on its global site, indicating that a broader release is forthcoming. Below is a table containing more technical information about MSI’s first gaming handheld powered by AMD.

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