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The Xbox Ally X faces off against the MSI Claw 8 AI+: Find out which one is the better premium handheld for you.
The Ally X and the Claw 8 AI+ are two very different handles. The Xbox Ally X incorporates the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, while the MSI Claw uses Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V Lunar Lake chip with the Arc 140V graphics.
With all the recent updates, the Claw has become incredibly potent. But how does it stack up against the Z2 Extreme and the custom Windows gaming experience on the Allyx? The article below explores the differences and helps you choose one for yourself.
Also Read: http://Xbox Ally X vs Lenovo Legion Go 2: Specs, Price & Performance Comparison
Xbox Ally X vs MSI Claw 8 AI+: Detailed Comparison
Specs Comparison
Here are the specs of the Xbox Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+:
| Specifications | Xbox Ally X | MSI Claw 8 AI+ |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (8C/16T, Zen 5, 16CU RDNA 3.5, NPU 50 TOPS) | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V (8C/8T, Lunar Lake, Arc 140V iGPU) |
| RAM | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 | 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 (on-package) |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (upgradable) | 1TB NVMe SSD (up to 2TB upgradable) |
| Display | 7-inch FHD (1920×1080) 120Hz IPS, 500 nits, FreeSync Premium, Gorilla Glass Victus | 8-inch FHD+ (1920×1200) 120Hz IPS Touch, VRR |
| Battery | 80Wh | 80Wh |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E (2×2), Bluetooth 5.4, 1x USB4 Type-C (TB4 compatible), 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, UHS-II microSD | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, 2x Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, microSD |
| Dimensions | 290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7 mm, 715g (1.58 lbs) | 299 x 117 x 21-36 mm, 795g (1.75 lbs) |
| OS | Windows 11 Home with Xbox UI | Windows 11 Home |
| TGP | 15-35W | 15-30W |
| Other Features | Xbox buttons, impulse triggers, HD haptics, 6-axis IMU | 6-axis IMU, fingerprint sensor, Hi-Res audio, dual fans |
Spec-wise, the MSI Claw 8+ has an advantage in memory speed and efficiency, due to the Lunar Lake CPU architecture. However, the Xbox Ally X and its Windows-level optimization translate to better battery backup. The superior GPU cores (890M) within the Z2 Extreme put up higher frame rates, resulting in better gaming performance. Both support external displays, but the Claw’s Wi-Fi 7 and dual Thunderbolt ensure faster connectivity with compatible peripherals.
Synthetic Performance Comparison
The Z2 extreme outperforms the Claw 8 AI+ despite the latter’s faster memory. This just shows how much superior the Z2 Extreme from AMD is.
| Benchmark | Xbox Ally X | MSI Claw 8 AI+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cinebench R23 Single-Core | 1964 | 1090 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi-Core | 13281 | 10687 |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core | 2800 | 2745 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core | 12500 | 10800 |
Gaming Performance Comparison
These FPS numbers are sourced from publicly available information across the internet. Most of the settings were low, and implemented upscaling, meaning. Games were running at 900p internally and then were outputting a 1080p image.
| Game | Xbox Ally X | MSI Claw 8 AI+ |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 42 FPS | 38 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 71 FPS | 69 FPS |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 45 FPS | 50 FPS |
| Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty | 55 FPS | 52 FPS |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 60 FPS | 58 FPS |
Price Comparison
The Xbox Ally X retails for around $1000, and the MSI Claw 8 AI+ can be had for $1100+.
Final Verdict on Xbox Ally X vs MSI Claw 8 AI+
In terms of software, efficiency, and overall fluidity, the Ally X is the better premium handheld. We cannot recommend the MSI Claw 8 AI+ over the Xbox Ally X simply because, at $1000, the Ally X offers a lot more to gamers. The Claw, despite having a Lunar Lake CPU with higher claimed efficiency, cannot beat Microsoft’s optimization work found on the Ally X.
Unless you are looking for Intel only or are willing to pair Thunderbolt equipment, the Xbox Ally X is the better buy.
Also Read: Xbox Ally vs. Steam Deck OLED: Which Handheld Should You Wait For?
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