Lenovo’s first attempt with the Legion Go gaming handheld back in mid-2023 didn’t exactly hit a home run with gamers. Fast forward to 2025, and Lenovo is making a fresh attempt with three new models, all powered by either the well-known AMD Z1 Extreme processor or the all-new Z2.
Now let’s dive into the details of the Legion Go S. This handheld comes in two flavors: one running on Windows 11 and another powered by Valve’s SteamOS, the latter offering gamers a more streamlined, console-like experience but boxed into Valve’s gaming ecosystem. This time, Lenovo has swapped out the detachable controllers from the earlier version for something more conventional and lighter – the whole device weighs just 1.63 pounds.
Both versions are mirror images under the hood. Whether you opt for the Windows-driven white model or the eye-catching “Nebula Violet” SteamOS version, the hardware remains consistent. Each features a Z1 Extreme or the newer Z2 processor, an 8-inch LCD touchscreen with a high-definition resolution of 1920×1200 and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. A 55.5 WHr battery, up to 32GB of speedy DDR5 RAM, and a hefty 1TB of storage make up the core specs. Plus, if storage space ever becomes a concern, upgrading is on the table, since these handhelds support standard-sized 2280 M.2 SSDs.
As for connectivity, the devices come with a MicroSD card slot, two USB 4.0 ports, and an audio jack. Lenovo sets the starting price at $729 for the Windows model, expected to be available from January. The SteamOS variant, however, is slated for a May release and will start at around $499. But there’s more: come May 2025, additional configurations for the Windows-powered Legion Go S will emerge, starting at $599. A spokesperson mentioned that, once everything is rolled out, customers can snag a Legion Go S — whichever the preference between Windows and SteamOS — with the AMD Z2 Go CPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB of storage for $599. Meanwhile, the $729 Windows model will boast double the RAM at 32GB.
Now, for the folks who might be eyeing something on the higher end of the handheld market, there’s a prototype of the next-gen Legion Go 2. This version revisits the detachable controller idea — yes, including that odd mouse-sensor feature that makes the right stick function like an unwieldy mouse. But this time, Lenovo has rounded the controller edges and opted for a circular D-pad. There’s also a significant battery upgrade, ramping up from a prior 49.2 to a beefier 74 WHr.
The display remains an 8.8-inch size but swaps out for an OLED screen with a smoother 1920×1200 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, smartly bringing it down from the previous 2560×1600. With 500 nits of brightness and variable refresh rate support, the viewing experience should be top-notch. For processing power, it’ll feature a Ryzen Z2 with the potential for up to 2TB of storage and 32GB of rapid 7500 MHz RAM upon its 2025 launch. However, we’re still in the dark about the final port options for the model.
