OneXPlayer Apex Air quietly launches with Intel Arc G3 Extreme power and a premium price
The OneXPlayer Apex Air has officially arrived, bringing Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme hardware to the high-end gaming handheld market. After being introduced a few weeks ago, the device has now appeared on the company’s official store, though its price makes it clear that this is not aimed at budget handheld gaming fans.
At launch, the OneXPlayer Apex Air is available in a single configuration with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The price is set at $1,839, placing it slightly above the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, another Intel Arc G3 Extreme gaming handheld that launched at $1,799.
While the Apex Air is expensive, it does offer a few standout features that help separate it from competing Windows gaming handhelds. One of its biggest advantages is storage flexibility. In addition to the built-in 1TB SSD, the handheld includes a mini SSD slot with support for up to 2TB of extra storage. It also has a microSD card slot, which can add another 2TB, giving gamers plenty of room for large PC game libraries.
Another major highlight is the external battery design. The OneXPlayer Apex Air supports an 85Wh external battery, allowing users to swap or attach extra power when they are away from a wall outlet. For long gaming sessions, this could be a practical advantage, especially for players who travel often or want fewer interruptions.
However, that battery system also affects portability. Without the external battery, the Apex Air weighs 699 grams, or about 1.54 pounds. The 85Wh battery adds another 380 grams, bringing the full setup to around 1,079 grams, or roughly 2.38 pounds. That makes it noticeably heavier than some competing handhelds, including the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, which weighs around 785 grams with its built-in 80Wh battery.
Beyond the Intel chip, the Apex Air shares several features with the AMD-powered OneXPlayer Apex. It includes an 8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which should appeal to players who want smoother motion in fast-paced games. The device also features a dual-fan cooling system to help manage heat during demanding gameplay, along with a standard 2280 PCIe M.2 slot for storage upgrades.
One important difference is the lack of a dedicated DC power port on the Intel model. On the other hand, the OneXPlayer Apex Air improves wireless connectivity with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, making it more future-ready for fast wireless networking, low-latency accessories, and modern peripherals.
Overall, the OneXPlayer Apex Air looks like a powerful but niche option in the premium gaming handheld space. Its Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor, 32GB of RAM, expandable storage options, 120Hz display, and external battery support make it attractive for serious handheld PC gamers. Still, its $1,839 price and heavier full-battery setup may make some buyers think carefully before choosing it over other high-end gaming handhelds.
