MSI Plans to Use AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU in Upcoming “Claw” Gaming Handheld, Possibly Moving Away from Intel

MSI is reportedly gearing up to launch the “Claw”handheld gaming device equipped with AMD’s advanced Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme APU. This shift marks a significant departure from their previous reliance on Intel processors, as the company aims to enhance performance capabilities in the high-end gaming handheld market.

Anticipated Performance Leap: MSI’s Upcoming Claw Handheld with AMD Ryzen Z2

The gaming landscape for handheld devices has recently seen limited adoption of Intel’s Lunar Lake “Core Ultra 200V”processors. Among the few exceptions, MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ distinguished itself as a pioneering product, being one of the first “Core Ultra”gaming handhelds. However, recent whispers from industry insiders, such as @Haze2K1, suggest that MSI is shifting its focus towards AMD for future offerings in the Claw series, particularly with plans to integrate the Ryzen Z2 line of processors.

MSI will release Claw handheld utilizing AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme

— Haze (@Haze2K1) April 11, 2025

This isn’t the first indication of MSI’s potential partnership with AMD. Earlier at CES 2025, reports by @CodeCommando_ hinted at preparations for devices leveraging the Ryzen Z2 APUs. While it’s uncertain whether MSI will fully commit to AMD like some of its competitors, such as ASUS, it’s improbable that they will offer a dual lineup with both Intel and AMD options. This is largely due to the necessity for manufacturers to maintain exclusive agreements with their chosen CPU supplier.

The anticipated flagship Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme model is expected to be a centerpiece of the Claw gaming handheld. Leaks suggest this APU will feature an advanced neural processing unit (NPU), while maintaining similar specifications to its counterpart, the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which boasts an 8-core and 16-thread setup, a boost clock reaching up to 5.0 GHz, and a powerful 16-core RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU. When compared to the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, the Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme is poised to excel in gaming applications, likely influencing MSI’s decision to transition their hardware strategy.

While these developments remain unconfirmed, the shift towards AMD highlights the growing trend of AMD’s rising dominance in the handheld sector, with the company capturing a significant market share amongst manufacturers.

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