Lenovo Legion Go S: A Comprehensive Review

Handheld gaming PCs have surged in popularity over the past few years, largely due to the impact of the Steam Deck. This trend has inspired major PC manufacturers to create their own versions, and Lenovo's Legion Go S is a prime example. Positioned to compete directly with the Steam Deck, the Legion Go S distinguishes itself from Lenovo’s original Legion Go, which had a more Nintendo Switch-like design with detachable controllers.

The Legion Go S adopts a unibody design, eliminating the removable controllers and simplifying the layout by removing many of the unique dials and buttons found on its predecessor. A notable upcoming feature is that a version of the Legion Go S will run on SteamOS, the Linux distribution used by the Steam Deck, making it the first non-Valve handheld to do so. However, the model reviewed here runs on Windows 11, and at a price of $729, it faces stiff competition from other Windows-based handhelds.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Photos

7 ImagesLenovo Legion Go S – Design

The Lenovo Legion Go S's design is reminiscent of the Asus ROG Ally, featuring a single, cohesive unit rather than the complex detachable controllers of the original Legion Go. This streamlined approach enhances ease of use, though the rounded edges of the chassis contribute to its comfort during extended gaming sessions, offsetting its notable weight.

Weighing in at 1.61 pounds, the Legion Go S is slightly lighter than the original Legion Go but heavier than the Asus ROG Ally X. This weight is due to its large 8-inch, 1200p IPS display, which boasts a brightness of 500 nits. The display's quality is exceptional, delivering vibrant colors and sharp images across various games, making it one of the best in its class.

Available in two color options, Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne, the latter reserved for the SteamOS version, the Legion Go S sports RGB lighting around its joysticks, customizable via an on-screen menu. The button layout is more intuitive than its predecessor, with standard placement for 'Start' and 'Select' buttons, though Lenovo's unique menu buttons may require some adjustment.

The device includes a smaller touchpad compared to the original Legion Go, which can be challenging for navigating Windows. However, the upcoming SteamOS version should alleviate these issues, as it is designed for controller navigation. Additional features include programmable 'paddle' buttons on the back and adjustable trigger travel settings, though the latter lacks granularity.

The top of the handheld features two USB 4 ports, while a MicroSD card slot is located on the bottom, which may be inconvenient for docked use.

Purchasing Guide

The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S is available starting February 14, priced at $729.99, equipped with a Z2 Go APU, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A more budget-friendly option with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD will be available in May for $599.99.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance

Powered by the AMD Z2 Go APU, the Legion Go S is the first to market with this chip. However, its performance falls short of expectations, particularly when compared to the original Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally X. The Z2 Go's Zen 3 processor and RDNA 2 GPU are outdated for a 2025 release, resulting in lower performance metrics.

Despite a larger 55Whr battery, the Legion Go S's battery life is slightly worse than its predecessor, likely due to the less efficient Zen 3 CPU. In 3DMark benchmarks, it significantly trails behind, and in gaming, it struggles to match the performance of its competitors, particularly in demanding titles like Horizon Forbidden West.

In games like Hitman: World of Assassination, it performs slightly better than the original Legion Go, but in others like Total War: Warhammer 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, it falls behind. To achieve playable frame rates, users must lower settings to Medium or even Low, particularly at 800p resolution.

Wait, It’s More Expensive?

Despite its weaker APU and lower resolution display, the Legion Go S is priced higher than the original Legion Go. This seems counterintuitive, but the reviewed model comes with 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, which is excessive for its performance level. Adjusting the frame buffer in the BIOS can improve performance, but this process is cumbersome for the average user.

The Legion Go S's current configuration is not justified by its performance, making it a poor value at $729. However, the upcoming $599 version with 16GB of RAM offers a much better value proposition, making it a more compelling option in the handheld gaming PC market.