After a lengthy wait, MSI has finally revealed its highly anticipated flagship gaming handheld, the MSI Pocket DUO, a full month later than initially hinted at. While not exclusively focused on this revelation, the announcement has also disclosed a surprise second option, the Claw 7 AI+, which offers identical performance in a more compact form.
Six months after acquiring the MSI Claw 8 AI+, we’re excited to share our in-depth review following an initial preview of this innovative device, which was first revealed several months prior? Since our hands-on experience with the system three months ago, MSI has finally brought its new flagship handheld gaming PC to market.
What drives significant efficiency enhancements in this innovative handheld device is the incorporation of a cutting-edge Intel Core i7-2850U processor. This marks a significant improvement upon the original MSI Claw A1M, which leveraged an Intel Core i5-7500 processor. While the 155H excels over the 285V in certain aspects, primarily due to its 16 CPU cores compared to the latter’s 8, the newer chip’s cores are not only more numerous but also significantly faster, rendering the 8 cores of the 285V still more than sufficient for gaming performance.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ are gaming mice that offer impressive specifications. Here’s a breakdown of their features:
**MSI Claw 8 AI+:**
* Sensor: TrueMove3 optical sensor with AI-powered precision
* Resolution: Up to 16,000 CPI
* Accuracy: ±1% at 12,000 CPI
* Polling rate: 1000 Hz
* Buttons: 6 programmable buttons with RGB illumination
* Ergonomic design: Right-handed claw grip shape
* Connectivity: USB-C
* Dimensions: 115.5 mm x 63.5 mm x 38.1 mm
* Weight: Approximately 107g
**MSI Claw 7 AI+:**
* Sensor: TrueMove3 optical sensor with AI-powered precision
* Resolution: Up to 16,000 CPI
* Accuracy: ±1% at 12,000 CPI
* Polling rate: 1000 Hz
* Buttons: 5 programmable buttons with RGB illumination
* Ergonomic design: Right-handed claw grip shape
* Connectivity: USB-C
* Dimensions: 111.7 mm x 63.2 mm x 38.1 mm
* Weight: Approximately 105g
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MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Specifications |
What’s inside MSI’s Claw 7 AI+ A2VM:
* Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G |
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| What is the Intel Core i7 processor, with a voltage of 1.58V? | The Intel Core i7 processor | |
| Home windows 11 Residence | Home windows 11 Residence | |
| 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 | 32GB LPDDR5x-8533 | |
| This sleek and modern display boasts an 8-inch screen with a crisp 1,920 x 1,200 resolution in a stunning 16:10 aspect ratio. The vibrant touchscreen is designed for intuitive navigation, while the rapid 120Hz refresh rate ensures seamless visuals. Additionally, the impressive 100% sRGB color gamut and 500nits brightness guarantee a rich, accurate color representation. This cutting-edge display also features variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to minimize screen tearing and stuttering on compatible devices. | This 7-inch display boasts a crisp 1,920 x 1,200 resolution on a 16:10 aspect ratio, with a stunning 120Hz refresh rate and support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). The IPS-type panel is capable of producing 100% of the sRGB color gamut, ensuring accurate and vibrant visuals. | |
| Intel Arc 140V GPU | Intel Arc 140V GPU | |
| What’s the world’s fastest NVMe storage solution? Meet the Samsung PM1733 M.2 NVMe SSD, boasting a whopping 1TB capacity and blazing-fast read/write speeds of up to 5000/4500 MB/s respectively, making it perfect for demanding applications like AI, data analytics, and gaming. | What about a whopping 1TB of storage in a compact PCIe 4.0 SSD? | |
| 6-axis IMU, vibration motor | 6-axis IMU, vibration motor | |
| Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth v5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth v5.4 | |
| Two 2W audio systems featuring DTS sound impact and Hi-Res Audio assistance. | Two 2W Audio Systems, DTS Sound Impact, Hi-Resolution Audio Assist | |
| Two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, one microSD card slot, one audio combination jack, and one power button featuring a fingerprint sensor. | Two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, one microSD card slot, one audio combination jack, and one power button featuring a fingerprint sensor. | |
| Powerful 6-Cell Lithium-Polymer Battery: 80Wh Capacity, 65W Quick Charging via USB-C PD 3.0 | Six-cell, lithium-polymer battery, 80 watt-hours rechargeable, featuring a 65-watt USB-C Power Delivery (PD) 3.0 charging capability. | |
| What are the dimensions of this rectangular prism? | What are the dimensions of the rectangular prism? | |
| 795g | 675g | |
| Sandstorm | Black | |
| $899.99 | $799.99 |
As a substitute, however, it’s the powerful GPU component in the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ that truly elevates these devices to thrilling prospects. While comparing the GPU architectures between newer and older Claw devices may seem straightforward, the significant differences render direct comparisons largely uninformative. According to MSI, the latest devices promise a significant performance boost, with peak battery charging speeds up to 113% faster and general battery charging times reduced by up to 20%.
The veracity of these claims is substantiated by evaluations of the gaming performance of those same processors when deployed in laptops, thus enabling us to confidently anticipate significant advantages. While there may be some variation due to the thermal and energy constraints inherent in handheld compared to laptop computers, MSI’s findings are largely based on a system operating at a relatively moderate 17W power load, suggesting similar relative results should still apply.
What’s extra, beyond the fact that the Claw’s Intel Core i5 already outperforms the AMD GPU integrated into the Steam Deck, is that it also matches the efficiency level of the newer AMD GPU featured in devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go? As such, the newly launched AI-powered Claws are poised to become the fastest gaming handhelds on the market today.
The larger of the two options, the Claw 8 AI+, boasts an 8-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen display that operates at up to 120Hz refresh rate and features a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Housed within a slightly enlarged and modernised physical framework, this device trades its traditional black hue for a striking “Sandstorm” colour palette. Measuring 299mm wide, 126mm deep, and 24mm high, the device tips the scales at 795g, noticeably heavier than its peers due to their smaller 7-inch displays.
The device accompanies its newly integrated processor with a substantial 32GB of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM, and its larger variant accommodates space for an impressive 80Whr battery – identical to that of the latest Asus ROG Zephyrus X. The newly released devices also feature two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which enable seamless compatibility with the latest Intel chips’ enhanced capabilities.
While the MSI Claw 7 AI+ may share some similarities with its predecessor, the MSI Claw, it can be seen as more than just a simple chip replacement given its additional AI-powered features and capabilities. The device maintains the same sleek black design as before, sporting a consistent 7-inch display featuring a 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and impressive 500-nit brightness. The smaller system is furnished with the identical CPU and memory as the Claw 8 AI+ by design. equipped with a reused 54.5Whr battery, identical to that of its predecessor, the Claw.
The battery life was compromised due to the Intel Core i5-8250U’s power-hungry integrated graphics processing unit (GPU). Notwithstanding the introduction of the Core Extremely 285V, it is expected that the device will consume significantly less power, thereby ensuring that even with the same battery capacity in this compact unit, the overall battery life should have been enhanced.
While the latest innovations in technology have undoubtedly enhanced various aspects of our daily lives, another critical area that requires significant improvement is the realm of entertainment and driving assistance. Like Intel’s initial foray into desktop graphics cards, exemplified in our Intel Arc A770 review, reliability and compatibility have been paramount concerns. Despite the significant enhancements, these aspects should have undergone substantial improvements in the newly released devices. We will endeavour to secure the information at the earliest opportunity in order to gauge its magnitude.
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ gaming mice are designed to provide exceptional performance and accuracy for serious gamers. Priced at around $100 and $70 respectively, these devices offer a unique combination of features that set them apart from the competition.
The Claw 8 AI+ boasts an impressive 16,000 CPI optical sensor, capable of tracking even the most precise movements. Its ergonomic design allows for comfortable grip and reduced fatigue during extended gaming sessions. Additionally, its 50g acceleration ensures smooth and responsive movement, allowing gamers to react quickly to changing circumstances on the battlefield.
The Claw 7 AI+ also features a high-precision optical sensor, albeit with slightly lower CPI at 12,000. Its compact design makes it perfect for players who prefer a more lightweight gaming experience. The device’s 30g acceleration provides reliable and accurate tracking, giving gamers an edge in fast-paced games.
Both mice are equipped with MSI’s proprietary AI technology, which learns the user’s playing style and adjusts sensitivity accordingly. This feature helps reduce errors caused by inconsistent movement and ensures a seamless gaming experience.
Overall, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+ offer exceptional value for gamers seeking high-performance devices at an affordable price point. Whether you’re a professional gamer or a casual player looking to upgrade your gaming setup, these mice are sure to provide hours of entertainment and precision.
MSI claims that its newly released Claws are now available, but inventory is either already exhausted or never actually stocked. You can potentially configure product listings similar to those on Amazon to track inventory replenishment. The MSI Claw 8 AI+, with a value of $899.99, ranks among the more expensive handheld gaming devices currently available on the market for purchase. The MSI Claw 7 AI+, priced at $799.99, seems unusually expensive considering it lacks the updated physical design and a larger battery.
For further insights on our thoughts regarding the innovative Claw, explore our MSI Claw 7 A1M preview. To gain a comprehensive understanding of handheld panorama capabilities, review our evaluations of Steam Deck OLED, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go, as these three companies are currently leading the charge in this space.
