Handhelds keep getting pricier: MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ and a $499.99 Switch 2

The new handheld on the block

The handheld class keeps getting more powerful and more expensive. As of September 2026, the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is the newest mainstream entry and the first built around Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme platform, TechRadar reported from Computex 2026. Pricing guides put it around $1,699 as of September 2026, though street pricing varies, so treat that as a guide figure and confirm at retail.

Nintendo's price, and what is still missing

Nintendo’s hardware also moved. Handheld guides list the Switch 2 at $499.99 following a September 2026 increase, while noting the original Switch remains a strong all-rounder. We are checking Nintendo’s own regional listings before treating the new price as final everywhere.

Not everything on the roadmap has landed. The Acer Nitro Blaze 11 and Nitro Blaze 8, originally planned for 2025, still were not on sale as of September 2026, according to current guides.

Sony returns to portables

The bigger-picture signal is Sony’s. The company has confirmed development of a full next-generation PlayStation portable designed to run games natively, slated to launch alongside the PlayStation 6 in late 2027. That would put a first-party Sony handheld back on shelves for the first time since the PS Vita era.

For buyers right now, the takeaway is simple: prices are climbing across the category, so if you do not need the newest silicon, last year’s handhelds are where the value is. We will keep prices and availability dated here, because both are moving quickly this year.