MSI has officially taken the wraps off its latest high-end gaming handheld — the Claw 8 AI+ “Polar Tempest Edition A2VM” — now featuring a whopping 2 TB of storage. Powered by Intel’s upcoming Core Ultra 7 258V “Lunar Lake” chip, this model blends high performance with a distinctive new look and is expected to be priced at around $999 in the US.
The “Polar Tempest Edition” briefly appeared in listings last month but has now resurfaced, suggesting a possible global launch as early as mid-July. European retailers like Amazon Germany have already begun accepting pre-orders, with the device listed for €1107.21 including VAT.
New design, same powerful internals
While MSI had already teased a new 8-inch Claw model at CES 2025 in its “Sandstorm” finish, many North American fans were disappointed when the expected mid-January release never materialised. Nearly six months later, the new Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest version marks a refreshed attempt at a global rollout.
The new edition keeps the same internal configuration as the standard Claw 8 AI+, including the latest Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor with integrated Lunar Lake graphics, paired with LPDDR5X memory and now 2 TB of NVMe SSD storage. What sets the Polar Tempest Edition apart is its unique appearance — a white chassis featuring MSI’s own custom polyurethane coating. MSI describes the design as resembling “ice-blue crystals on a snow-white landscape”, giving the handheld a frosty, wintry feel.
Intel’s Lunar Lake and market competition
The Lunar Lake platform, set to power several ultra-portables later this year, has received praise for improved power efficiency and graphics performance. Still, MSI’s Claw series enters a competitive landscape dominated by AMD-powered handhelds like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally.
That competition is about to heat up even more. ASUS is rumoured to be working on a next-generation ROG Ally sequel using AMD’s newly leaked Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. If accurate, MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ may soon face even stronger rivals.
Meanwhile, whispers suggest MSI could already be working on a third-generation handheld using Intel’s Arrow Lake-H or Panther Lake chips, expected to land sometime in 2026. This would mark a significant leap forward, as these chipsets are likely to feature dedicated gaming improvements.
A second chance for the Claw 8?
Despite a rough start and delayed releases in several markets, MSI appears determined to reassert its presence in the handheld gaming space. With improved visuals, increased storage, and Intel’s latest CPU at its core, the Claw 8 AI+ Polar Tempest Edition A2VM may help MSI regain momentum.
Whether this 2 TB variant can attract gamers away from rivals like the Steam Deck OLED or upcoming AMD-powered options remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — MSI is not giving up on the handheld race just yet.
For even more tech news, click here.
