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Head-to-head · Best Handheld Gaming PCs

MSI Claw 8 vs Steam Deck OLED

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Steam Deck OLED comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Visual quality enthusiasts — read the strengths below before deciding.

MSI Claw 8
Ranked #5 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs
MSI Claw 8
$1,079as of Jul 1

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ represents a significant leap from its predecessor, delivering strong performance thanks to Intel's Lunar Lake Core Ultra 7 258V and Arc 140V graphics. Reviewers praised its large 8-inch 120Hz display, comfortable ergonomics, and excellent battery life. The device is well-suited for users seeking a powerful, immersive handheld gaming experience, though its premium price and some software issues may deter budget-conscious buyers. TechPowerUp and Club386 both highlighted its improved hardware and design over previous models.

Strengths
  • — Strong APU performance with Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and Arc 140V graphics
  • — Large, smooth 8-inch 120Hz display with VRR support
  • — Comfortable and ergonomic design with scalloped grips and balanced weight
Watch-outs
  • — Relatively expensive at £900/$900
  • — Some software quirks and Windows 11 desktop baggage
$1,079 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Steam Deck OLED
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs
Steam Deck OLED
$1,074.87as of Jul 6

The Steam Deck OLED represents a significant visual upgrade over its predecessor, with reviewers praising the OLED screen's color accuracy, HDR support, and 90Hz refresh rate. Birchtree noted the display's superiority over the original LCD model, calling it 'spectacular' and 'eye-searingly delightful.' The device also features improved Wi-Fi 6E, slightly better battery life, and quieter fans. However, some reviewers noted that the fan noise remains audible in quiet settings, and the battery improvement is modest. This model appeals to users seeking enhanced visual quality and performance over the original Steam Deck, though those prioritizing battery life or silent operation may find it lacking.

Strengths
  • — OLED screen delivers exceptional color reproduction and HDR support with 1,000 nits max brightness
  • — 90Hz refresh rate improves game smoothness and reduces input latency
  • — Quieter fans compared to the original Steam Deck model
Watch-outs
  • — Fan noise still audible in quiet environments, though improved from original
  • — Battery life improvement is marginal and not as good as Nintendo Switch
$1,074.87 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

MSI Claw 8

The MSI Claw 8 surpasses the ASUS ROG Ally X in battery life and performance with its 80WHr battery and Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, while also offering a larger 8-inch display. However, it's more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED and lacks the SteamOS integration of the Valve model or the Xbox UI of the ASUS ROG Ally X.

Steam Deck OLED

The Steam Deck OLED excels in display quality over the Valve Steam Deck OLED with its vibrant HDR and 1,000 nits peak brightness, though the latter offers better battery life and a more refined overall experience. Compared to the MSI Claw 8, it lacks the larger 8-inch screen and superior battery capacity, but provides a more polished SteamOS experience.

Specs side-by-side

SpecMSI Claw 8Steam Deck OLED
ProcessorIntel Core Ultra 7 258VRevised AMD 'Van Gogh' 6nm
Display8in IPS (19201200 / 120Hz)7.4" OLED
Memory32GB LPDDR5X-853316GB LPDDR5 6400MT/s
StorageKioxia BG6 1TB512GB and 1TB options
GraphicsIntel Arc 140V8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz
Refresh Rate120Hz90Hz
Battery80WHr50Whr battery
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