Lenovo Legion Go S: In-Depth Review

Handheld gaming PCs like the Lenovo Legion Go S have surged in popularity over the last couple of years, largely thanks to the impact of the Steam Deck. Since Valve introduced its Linux-based handheld, major PC manufacturers have jumped into the fray with their own iterations, and the Lenovo Legion Go S closely aligns with the Steam Deck's design philosophy, distancing itself from the original Legion Go's more experimental approach.

The Lenovo Legion Go S ditches the Switch-inspired removable controllers and the array of additional dials and buttons found on its predecessor, opting instead for a sleek unibody design. A notable upcoming feature is a version of the Legion Go S set to launch later this year, which will run on SteamOS, the same operating system that powers the Steam Deck. This will make it the first non-Valve handheld to ship with SteamOS pre-installed. However, the model reviewed here operates on Windows 11, and at its $729 price point, it faces stiff competition among other Windows 11 handhelds.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Photos

7 ImagesLenovo Legion Go S – Design

The Lenovo Legion Go S adopts a design more akin to the Asus ROG Ally than the original Legion Go, embracing a singular unit approach rather than detachable controllers. This design choice simplifies usage, and the rounded edges enhance comfort during extended gaming sessions, despite the device's notable weight of 1.61 pounds. While slightly lighter than the original Legion Go's 1.88 pounds, it is heavier than the Asus ROG Ally X at 1.49 pounds, which can be felt over time.

The Legion Go S compensates for its weight with an impressive 8-inch, 1200p IPS display, boasting 500 nits of brightness. This screen delivers vibrant colors and stunning visuals, making it one of the best displays in handheld gaming PCs, surpassed only by the Steam Deck OLED. The device is available in two colorways: Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne, with the latter reserved for the upcoming SteamOS version.

The Legion Go S incorporates RGB lighting rings around each joystick, customizable to suit user preferences. The button layout is more intuitive than the original, with 'Start' and 'Select' buttons placed more traditionally on either side of the display. However, the placement of Lenovo's custom menu buttons above them might lead to accidental activations initially.

A smaller touchpad compared to the original Legion Go aids in mouse navigation, though it might pose challenges with Windows. The upcoming SteamOS version should alleviate these issues, as it's designed for controller navigation. The LegionSpace software, accessible via a dedicated button, manages system settings and game libraries.

On the back, programmable 'paddle' buttons offer more resistance to prevent accidental presses, and trigger levers allow for adjusting trigger travel distance, though with limited settings. The top features two USB 4 ports for charging and peripherals, while the bottom houses a centrally located MicroSD card slot.

Purchasing Guide

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

Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance

The Lenovo Legion Go S is powered by the new AMD Z2 Go APU, marking it as a pioneer in using this technology. However, its performance doesn't break new ground, featuring a Zen 3 processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, alongside an RDNA 2 GPU with 12 graphics cores. These specs, dated for a 2025 release, result in the Legion Go S trailing behind the original Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally X in benchmark tests.

Despite a larger 55Whr battery, the Legion Go S lasts only 4 hours and 29 minutes in the PCMark10 battery test, a decrease from the original Legion Go's 4 hours and 53 minutes. This is likely due to the less efficient Zen 3 CPU architecture.

In 3DMark's Time Spy, the Legion Go S scores 2,179 points, compared to 2,775 for the original Legion Go and 3,346 for the ROG Ally X, indicating a significant performance gap. In games, the Legion Go S performs slightly better in some titles, like Hitman: World of Assassination, but struggles with others like Horizon Forbidden West, even at lower settings.

The Legion Go S shines with less demanding games, such as Persona 5, where its vibrant display and solid frame rates are evident. However, for those aiming to play the latest AAA titles at high settings, it might be wise to wait for devices with the more powerful Z2 Extreme APU.

Wait, It’s More Expensive?

At first glance, the Lenovo Legion Go S might seem like a "Legion Go Lite" due to its use of the AMD Z2 Go APU and its smaller size. However, its $729 price tag is higher than the original Legion Go's starting price of $699, which is surprising given its lower resolution display and weaker APU.

The February release model comes with 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, which is more memory than the Asus ROG Ally X. However, the slower memory speed at 6,400MHz compared to the Legion Go's 7,500MHz results in less memory bandwidth, which impacts performance. Allocating more memory to the frame buffer in the BIOS can improve performance, but navigating the BIOS with a controller is cumbersome.

The current configuration of the Lenovo Legion Go S, with its high memory but underwhelming performance, doesn't justify the premium price. Fortunately, a more balanced version with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD will be available in May for $599, offering a better value proposition in the handheld gaming PC market.