The gaming handheld market continues to evolve with Lenovo's latest entry, the Legion Go S, which attempts to strike a balance between premium features and performance compromises. As manufacturers race to capture market share in the wake of Steam Deck's success, this new device presents an interesting proposition with its stunning display but faces challenges in justifying its price point.
Design and Ergonomics
The Legion Go S marks a significant improvement in ergonomics compared to its predecessor. At 1.61 pounds, it's heavier than most competitors but compensates with excellent grip design and comfortable hand placement. The device features a refined button layout with adaptive triggers and a redesigned d-pad, though the miniature trackpad proves to be an occasional nuisance with its oversensitive haptics.
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| Lenovo Legion Go S with a refined ergonomic design and elegant aesthetics |
Display Excellence
The standout feature is undoubtedly the 8-inch IPS LCD display, boasting 1920x1200 resolution and 48-120Hz VRR capability. With impressive brightness levels and minimal bezels, it outshines many competitors in visual quality, though some games may require additional configuration to properly support the native resolution.
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| The impressive 8-inch display of the Lenovo Legion Go S, showcasing its vibrant visuals |
Performance Limitations
The custom AMD Ryzen Z2 Go APU, featuring 4 cores and 8 threads, reveals the device's primary weakness. With benchmark scores notably lower than competitors like the ROG Ally X and original Legion Go, the Go S struggles to justify its USD $730 price tag. While it can handle less demanding titles adequately, modern AAA games require significant setting compromises to achieve playable framerates.
Software and Operating System
Running Windows 11, the device inherits common handheld PC challenges, including scaling issues and cumbersome system navigation. Lenovo's Legion Space software, while functional, shows performance issues and occasional lag. The upcoming SteamOS version, promised for May 2025 at USD $500, may address many of these software-related concerns.
Battery Life and Practicality
The 55.5 Whr battery delivers modest endurance, providing roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of gaming on demanding titles, or up to 3 hours for less intensive tasks. While rapid charging capability helps mitigate this limitation, the overall battery performance falls short of expectations for a modern gaming handheld.
Future Prospects
The impending release of a SteamOS version at USD $500 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage could potentially transform the value proposition of the Legion Go S. This alternative model, combined with the device's excellent ergonomics and display, might better position it in the competitive handheld gaming market.