MSI Claw A8 Handheld Outperforms Intel Rival in 2025

MSI Claw A8 Dominates 2025 Handheld Gaming Benchmarks – AMD Strikes Back

The 2025 handheld gaming war is heating up — and MSI just threw down the gauntlet. Following the success of its Claw 8 AI+ console in 2024, MSI has returned stronger than ever with the Claw A8, powered by AMD’s cutting-edge Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. And according to early real-world benchmarks, it’s not just an upgrade — it’s a statement.

???? AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme vs Intel Core Ultra 7: Performance Showdown

In a series of benchmark tests conducted by trusted Chinese tech reviewer Golden Pig Upgrade, the Claw A8 consistently outpaced the Claw 8 AI+ in 10 of today’s most demanding games, including Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Resident Evil Village.

At just 17W power draw, the Claw A8 outperformed its predecessor across nearly every metric:

• Higher average FPS
• Better 1% lows (smoothness)
• Improved thermal efficiency

This is largely thanks to the Z2 Extreme’s hybrid Zen 5 + Zen 5c architecture, paired with a Radeon 890M GPU packing 16 RDNA 3.5 CUs. This combo delivers desktop-grade punch in a portable form.

⚖️ But Intel Isn’t Out Yet…

Interestingly, the Intel-powered Claw 8 AI+ still showed strength in a few areas. In games like Hitman 3 and F1 24, the Core Ultra 7 258V delivered more stable frame pacing and narrowly edged out AMD in certain 30W scenarios.

However, these wins were the exception, not the rule — and most gamers will spend 90% of their time at the more power-efficient 15–20W range, where AMD leads.

???? Same Price, More Power

Both consoles currently retail in the $900–$1,000 range, but the Claw A8 offers:

• Faster performance at lower power
• Greater headroom with 35W TDP
• Stronger GPU for modern AAA titles

This positions the Claw A8 as the better value-for-money option for gamers who want top-tier performance without being tethered to a wall socket.

???? Why This Matters for the Future of Handhelds

The Claw A8’s success signals a tipping point in mobile gaming. As AMD’s silicon continues to dominate in power efficiency and raw performance, companies like MSI are better equipped to build Steam Deck rivals that can truly rival gaming laptops.

It’s also a sign that Intel’s hold on the portable space is weakening, giving AMD more leverage to shape the next generation of mobile processors.

????️ Bottom Line: MSI Claw A8 Is the Handheld to Beat in 2025

Whether you’re chasing FPS gains or just want a more future-proof console, MSI’s Claw A8 with Ryzen Z2 Extreme is redefining expectations in the handheld world.

As developers push mobile graphics to new limits, and gamers demand console-like experiences on the go, this level of power and flexibility might just be the new standard.