The world of gaming handhelds has seen some exciting developments in recent years, with devices like the ASUS ROG Ally X pushing the envelope for Windows-based portable gaming. But there’s a new player in the market that aims to disrupt the status quo—the MSI Claw. Powered by Intel’s Core Ultra processors, the Claw is one of the few Intel-based handhelds in a sea dominated by AMD-powered competitors, making it an intriguing option for gamers looking for something different. In this review, we’ll delve into the design, performance, battery life, and overall value of the MSI Claw to see how it stacks up against the competition.
The MSI Claw doesn’t stray too far from the conventional handheld design that we’ve come to expect. It’s an all-black device that feels familiar, yet well-crafted. One notable feature of the Claw is its shape—unlike the ASUS ROG Ally X, which incorporates ergonomic hand grips, the Claw relies on its curved design to offer a comfortable grip. Both devices are lightweight and manageable, which makes extended gaming sessions more enjoyable. Despite being fairly comfortable to hold, the Claw’s construction feels slightly less premium than that of the Ally X, which is made from sturdier materials.
Speaking of quality, the buttons on the MSI Claw feel a bit plasticky compared to the Ally X, which has a more refined, premium feel. That said, the Claw does have one standout feature: Hall Effect joysticks. These are a big plus for the device, as they are far less prone to the dreaded joystick drift and dead zones that plague traditional analog sticks. The ROG Ally X, on the other hand, uses standard joysticks, which means that over time, you might encounter some wear and tear.
It’s also worth mentioning that the MSI Claw, while not as polished as the ROG Ally X in terms of build quality, offers a solid, durable feel that will likely hold up well over time, especially for a first-generation product from MSI.
The MSI Claw also has one less Type-C port than the Ally X, something we really felt the lack off.
Both the MSI Claw and the ASUS ROG Ally X come equipped with a 7-inch Full HD display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. On paper, the displays of both handhelds look almost identical, and in practice, the difference in viewing experience is negligible. Both offer bright, vibrant visuals that make fast-paced gaming a joy. Whether you’re playing Hades, Baldur’s Gate 3, or Cyberpunk 2077, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gameplay, and the sharpness of the Full HD resolution is evident.
However, where the Ally X pulls ahead is in the durability of its screen. The ROG Ally X features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, which provides an extra layer of protection against scratches and drops. The MSI Claw, while sturdy, doesn’t offer the same level of scratch resistance, which means you’ll need to be more careful with it.
At the heart of the MSI Claw is Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H processor, with an option for a more affordable Core Ultra 5 135H variant. This is a significant departure from the AMD Ryzen-powered devices in this segment, like the ASUS ROG Ally X, which sports the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor. On paper, Intel’s Core Ultra chips should offer superior multi-core performance thanks to more cores and threads, which should theoretically translate into better overall processing power for multitasking and CPU-heavy tasks.
But when it comes to gaming, the integrated graphics are where things get interesting. The Claw uses Intel’s ARC integrated GPU, while the ROG Ally X is powered by the AMD Radeon 780M iGPU. AMD’s Radeon GPU is generally considered more powerful in terms of gaming performance, and it shows in real-world benchmarks.
In our tests, we ran Hades, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077 at 720p, 900p, and 1080p across both devices. In Hades and Baldur’s Gate 3, the Ally X consistently outperformed the Claw, delivering higher frame rates across the board. The gap was around 10 FPS in Baldur’s Gate 3, which can make a noticeable difference in gameplay. However, when we tested Cyberpunk 2077, both devices performed almost identically, providing a solid gaming experience at 1080p.
Synthetic benchmarks also show similar results, with both devices scoring close to each other. While the Claw is no slouch in terms of raw power, the ROG Ally X’s more capable GPU makes it the better performer, particularly for graphically intensive games.
Battery life is always a crucial factor when it comes to handheld gaming, and here the MSI Claw falls behind. The ROG Ally X comes equipped with an 80Wh battery, which offers impressive longevity. In our tests, the Ally X lasted a solid 169 minutes (almost 3 hours) in a gaming session, which is ideal for extended play.
On the other hand, the MSI Claw’s 53Wh battery lasted only 77 minutes in the same test, which is less than half the battery life of the Ally X. This is a significant drawback, especially for a handheld that’s meant to be used on the go. For users who prioritise gaming sessions that last longer, the Ally X is a clear winner here.
When it comes to software, MSI still has some work to do. The MSI Claw runs on the MSI Center M, which is a basic utility for system monitoring and control. While functional, it’s not as polished as ASUS’s ROG Armoury Crate SE, which is the software suite that comes with the Ally X. Armoury Crate SE has seen continuous updates and improvements, and it offers a much smoother experience.
The MSI Center M, while it works, feels a bit barebones and can be finicky at times. It’s clear that ASUS has had more time to refine its software, and it’s currently the better choice for users who want a seamless experience.
When it comes to pricing, the MSI Claw offers excellent value. The Intel Core Ultra 7 variant is priced at ₹99,990, but it’s available for as low as ₹62,990 on Amazon, which makes it a strong contender in the budget-conscious segment. The Core Ultra 5 variant, priced at ₹50,000, is an even better deal for those who don’t need the extra power of the Ultra 7 chip.
In comparison, the ASUS ROG Ally X is priced at around ₹90,000, making it the more expensive option. While the Ally X undoubtedly offers better performance, particularly in gaming, the Claw delivers great value at a more affordable price point.
The MSI Claw is a strong contender in the handheld gaming space, offering solid performance, a comfortable design, and good value for money. However, when compared to the ASUS ROG Ally X, it’s clear that the Ally X still has the upper hand, especially in terms of gaming performance, battery life, and software experience.
That said, for users who are looking for a more affordable alternative and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of power or battery life, the MSI Claw is an excellent choice. It’s clear that MSI has a strong foundation here, and with future improvements, the Claw could very well evolve into one of the top handhelds on the market. For now, though, the ASUS ROG Ally X remains the undisputed king of portable Windows gaming.
