Lenovo Legion Go S: The Ultimate SteamOS Handheld Gaming Console
he Lenovo Legion Go S is an exciting addition to the handheld gaming market, unveiled at CES 2025 as the first authorized third-party device to run SteamOS natively. The Legion Go S stands out as a competitor to the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Ayaneo 2S, providing a premium gaming experience with impressive hardware, optimized software, and a user-friendly design.
With two versions available—one running SteamOS and the other with Windows 11 Home—the Legion Go S is designed to cater to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Let’s take a deep dive into every feature, spec, and performance aspect of the Lenovo Legion Go S.
Design and Build Quality
The Legion Go S features a sleek and compact design, built to provide comfort during extended gaming sessions. While it does not have detachable controllers like its predecessor, the Legion Go, the non-detachable joysticks ensure durability while maintaining a solid grip.
Materials and Colors
- Build: The device is crafted from high-quality polycarbonate plastic, making it durable yet lightweight.
- Color Options: Available in Glacier White and Nebula Violet, catering to different aesthetic preferences.
Size and Weight
- Weight: ~740g (approx.), making it lighter than the original Legion Go (854g) but heavier than the Steam Deck OLED (~640g).
- Dimensions: Designed to be ergonomic, with a well-balanced grip to reduce hand fatigue.
The compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for portability, fitting comfortably in most backpacks.
Display – 8” WUXGA High-Refresh Gaming Panel
One of the standout features of the Lenovo Legion Go S is its large 8-inch display, which provides a more immersive gaming experience than its competitors.
- Size: 8.0 inches
- Resolution: 1920 × 1200 (WUXGA)
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz (for ultra-smooth gameplay)
- Brightness: 500 nits peak brightness (great for indoor and outdoor use)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10, making it ideal for both gaming and productivity
The high-refresh-rate panel ensures smooth visuals, reducing motion blur in fast-paced games. The high brightness levels also make it easier to see in various lighting conditions.
Performance – Powered by Ryzen Z2 Go & Z1 Extreme
At the heart of the Legion Go S lies powerful AMD processors, designed to handle even the most demanding games.
Processor Options
- AMD Ryzen Z2 Go Processor (Custom for Lenovo)
- 4 Zen 3 Cores / 8 Threads
- Max Boost Clock: 4.3 GHz
- RDNA 2 GPU with 12 Compute Units
- 10MB Cache
- TDP: 15W – 30W (adjustable for battery life or performance)
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Optional Higher-End Model)
- 8 Zen 4 Cores / 16 Threads
- RDNA 3 Graphics (12 Compute Units)
- Higher Power Efficiency & Performance
Memory & Storage Options
- RAM:
- Base Model: 16GB LPDDR5X (6400MHz)
- High-End Model: 32GB LPDDR5X (6400MHz)
- Storage:
- 512GB PCIe SSD (Base Model)
- 1TB PCIe SSD (High-End Model)
- Expandable via microSD slot
This means you can store multiple AAA titles and still have room for indie games, media, and software.
Gaming Performance – How Well Does It Play?
AAA & Indie Game Performance Benchmarks
On medium to high settings, the Legion Go S performs admirably in various popular games:
| Game | Graphics Preset | FPS (Z2 Go) | FPS (Z1 Extreme) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Medium | 45-55 FPS | 60+ FPS |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | High | 50-60 FPS | 70+ FPS |
| Elden Ring | Medium | 45-55 FPS | 65+ FPS |
| Fortnite | High | 60 FPS | 90+ FPS |
| Hogwarts Legacy | Medium | 50 FPS | 70+ FPS |
Thanks to AMD’s RDNA 2/3 graphics, the Legion Go S delivers excellent performance, making it a strong contender against the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally.
Cooling System – ColdFront Technology
The Legion Go S uses Lenovo’s ColdFront thermal system, ensuring:
✅ Quiet fan operation
✅ Efficient heat dissipation
✅ Cooler temperatures for prolonged gaming
This results in stable performance without excessive overheating.
Controls & Input – Precision Gaming
The Legion Go S features 23 buttons to ensure a full-fledged gaming experience.
Key Features:
- Hall Effect Joysticks (prevents joystick drift)
- RGB Lighting on Joysticks
- Fully Programmable Buttons
- Dual Vibration Motors for Haptic Feedback
These customizable controls enhance immersion and allow fine-tuning for different games.
Connectivity & Ports – Versatile Expansion Options
The Legion Go S offers excellent connectivity, making it future-proof.
- 2 × USB4 Ports (Supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4, PD 3.0)
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack
- microSD Card Slot (for storage expansion)
- Wi-Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.3 (for low-latency online gaming and accessories)
The dual USB4 ports allow fast external storage, monitors, and docking stations.
Battery Life & Charging – Play Longer
- Battery Capacity: 55.5Wh
- Charging Speed: 65W USB-C Fast Charging
- Estimated Battery Life:
- Light gaming: 5-6 hours
- AAA gaming: 3-4 hours
- Streaming & browsing: 8+ hours
Operating System – SteamOS & Windows 11
The Legion Go S offers two OS options:
- SteamOS (Linux-based) – $500 Model
- Optimized for gaming
- Better battery life
- Access to the full Steam library
- Windows 11 Home – $730 Model
- Compatible with all Windows software
- Can install Epic Games, Xbox Game Pass, and other launchers
Users who want a seamless gaming experience should opt for SteamOS, while those who need Windows applications may prefer the Windows 11 model.
Pricing & Availability
- SteamOS Version: $500 (Releases in May 2025)
- Windows 11 Version: $730 (Releases late February 2025)
For its price, the Legion Go S delivers high-end gaming performance, making it a compelling alternative to the Steam Deck.
Final Verdict – Is It Worth It?
✅ Pros:
✔️ High-performance AMD Ryzen Z2 Go/Z1 Extreme CPU
✔️ Large 8-inch 120Hz display
✔️ Hall Effect joysticks (no drift issues)
✔️ Great battery life & cooling
❌ Cons:
✖️ Slightly heavy compared to competitors
✖️ SteamOS model lacks Windows app support
Overall, the Lenovo Legion Go S is a powerful and well-built handheld gaming PC, perfect for gamers looking for flexibility and high performance. 🎮🔥
