The handheld gaming market is heating up, and 2025 brings two of the most talked-about contenders: the Steam Deck OLED from Valve and the MSI Claw, MSI’s ambitious entry into portable PC gaming. While they come from different design philosophies, both target the same audience — gamers who want desktop-class performance in the palm of their hand.
Display – OLED vs IPS
The Steam Deck OLED features a stunning 7.4-inch OLED display with deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. In comparison, the MSI Claw comes with a 7-inch IPS LCD panel that, while sharp and colorful, doesn’t reach the immersive visual fidelity of OLED.
In terms of viewing experience, the Steam Deck OLED takes a clear lead.
👉 You can find full specs and updates on the official Steam Deck OLED product page.
Performance – Intel vs AMD
The MSI Claw is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, whereas the Steam Deck OLED uses a custom AMD APU with RDNA 3 graphics. On paper, Intel has the upper hand in raw specs. However, in real-world use, SteamOS optimization gives the Deck a smoother and more consistent gaming experience, especially within the Steam ecosystem.
👉 Want to learn more about the MSI Claw’s specs and reveal at Gamescom? Read our full breakdown here.
The Claw has potential but suffers from early-stage software inconsistencies and frame pacing issues.
Battery Life – Playtime on the Go
Thanks to its OLED display and efficient AMD chipset, the Steam Deck OLED offers noticeably better battery life — around 3 to 6 hours depending on the game and settings. The MSI Claw typically delivers 2.5 to 4 hours.
This makes the Deck a better companion for extended gaming sessions on the move.
Operating System – SteamOS vs Windows 11
Valve’s Deck runs SteamOS, a lightweight and highly streamlined Linux-based system optimized for gaming. The MSI Claw ships with Windows 11 Home, allowing for greater flexibility — such as access to Game Pass, Epic Games, and emulators — but at the cost of simplicity and stability.
MSI wins on versatility, but the Deck wins on user experience.
Pricing and Availability
The Steam Deck OLED starts at around $549, while the MSI Claw is priced closer to $699. Given its overall performance and polish, the Deck offers significantly better value for money.
Verdict
In 2025, Valve delivers a refined, high-quality handheld that feels like the matured version of a groundbreaking first-gen product. The MSI Claw shows promise with powerful hardware, but it falls short in areas like battery, optimization, and software stability.
For most gamers, the Steam Deck OLED remains the more complete and dependable choice. Still, if MSI addresses its early shortcomings, the Claw could evolve into a true contender in the months to come.