The handheld gaming PC market has been steadily gaining traction since the launch of the Steam Deck in 2022. Over the past two years, the top-tier handhelds have relied on the Z1 Extreme chipset, but a new contender is on the horizon. Announced at Computex 2025, the MSI Claw A8 is set to be the first handheld to harness the power of the AMD Z2 Extreme, which was unveiled at CES 2025.

The MSI Claw A8 shares many similarities with the recently launched Claw 8 AI, but it introduces some key modifications. MSI has opted to reduce the maximum RAM from 32GB to 24GB of LPDDR5X, running at 8,000MHz. Additionally, the display now supports VRR (variable refresh rate), which, despite both being 120Hz FullHD panels, should result in less screen tearing on the A8.

The most significant upgrade in the MSI Claw A8 is the switch from the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V to the AMD Z2 Extreme. This gaming APU boasts 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. The GPU not only has more Compute Units than the 12 found in the Z1 Extreme but also benefits from a half-generation architectural advancement.

MSI also revealed an updated MSI Claw 8 AI+ model, featuring a fresh colorway and a larger 2TB SSD, yet it retains the Intel Core Ultra 7 285V.

While the MSI Claw A8 is slated for release later this year, specific launch details and pricing remain undisclosed. Considering the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is priced at $999, it's likely that this new AMD-powered model will also command a premium price.

The AMD Z2 Extreme Race Is On

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme was introduced quietly at CES in January 2025. Five months on, no handheld with this new chip has reached the market, sparking a race among manufacturers to be the first to launch. The Lenovo Legion Go 2, also showcased at CES 2025, is powered by the Z2 Extreme, but Lenovo has yet to provide a release timeline. Instead, they released the less powerful and pricier Lenovo Legion Go S, equipped with the Z2 Go.

Rumors suggest that the Asus ROG Ally 2 will also feature the Z2 Extreme, though no official announcement has been made. There's also speculation about a collaboration between Asus and Microsoft to create an Xbox-branded version of the Ally 2, which would likely use the Z2 Extreme as well.

However, one device that won't be using the Z2 Extreme is the Steam Deck 2. Valve has stated that the next generation of AMD's Z-series chips doesn't offer a significant enough leap to warrant a new handheld. While this might cast some doubt on the Z2 Extreme's capabilities, the new Steam Deck alternatives should still provide a noticeable improvement over current market offerings, which is a positive development for gamers.