Lenovo Legion Go S: The Ultimate Handheld Gaming Experience

September 16, 2025

I've been vocal about my frustrations with Lenovo lately, especially concerning the Lenovo Legion Go 2, which starts at $1,049 / £1,000 / AU$1,609 for the AMD Ryzen Z2 model. To summarize, the performance gains from previous-generation processors don't justify the hefty price hike, and frankly, I believe handheld devices shouldn't cost as much as powerful gaming laptops.

A More Reasonable Price with the Legion Go S

The Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme, priced at $829 / £699 / AU$1,599, presents a much more appealing option, especially in the UK at only £699. Considering its features, this pricing is quite fair. Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (also used in the original Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally), the device boasts an impressive 8-inch immersive display, which I've eagerly awaited, along with 32GB of RAM and SteamOS. The chassis is arguably the best I've seen on a handheld to date.

Battery Life and Usage Preferences

While many might shy away from this device due to its 55.5Wh battery, I typically use handheld consoles while plugged in, so battery life isn't a major concern for me. In comparison, the Asus ROG Ally X provides an 80Wh battery, offering more unplugged gaming time. However, if decent battery life is important to you, the Legion Go S remains a compelling choice.

Ergonomics and Build Quality: The Best So Far

The Legion Go S is undoubtedly the most comfortable handheld I've used. It fits perfectly into my palms, even during extended gaming sessions, without causing strain. Lenovo clearly learned from past mistakes—its previous model was too heavy and uncomfortable after hours of play. The new design features a smaller 8-inch display (versus the 8.8-inch in the Legion Go 2) and no detachable controllers, making it significantly easier and more comfortable to hold. The handles seem to hug your palms, with your pinky fingers resting comfortably on the rear.

Design and Features: A Winning Formula

I believe Lenovo should have kept the S design for the new device, sacrificing the larger screen size. The device's curved edges resemble Valve's Steam Deck, but in my experience, the Legion Go S outperforms it. Additionally, adjustable triggers—similar to those found on the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller—are a blessing for fast-paced, competitive gaming.

There’s speculation that Lenovo might produce an OLED Z2 Extreme version with the Legion Go S design, but high pricing may remain an obstacle.

Power and Performance: Ryzen Z2 Extreme + 32GB RAM

The combination of AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme and 32GB of RAM makes a significant difference. Coming from the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme with 16GB, I didn’t realize how much the extra RAM would improve gaming stability. Frame rates in demanding or poorly optimized games are now much more consistent, with almost no stutters.

Allocating 8GB of RAM for gaming has been fantastic, and overall responsiveness—especially during menu navigation and streaming via Discord—is noticeably improved. The Decky Loader Lossless Scaling plugin further enhances performance, allowing games like Resident Evil 4 remake to run at over 80fps on high settings.

The Power of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme

While I remain impressed with Nvidia's GeForce Now RTX 5080 membership, capable of streaming high-quality games effortlessly, native gameplay on the Legion Go S is quite compelling. For titles like Resident Evil 4, high frame rates with minimal image quality sacrifice are achievable, thanks to the robust hardware.

Honestly, without the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, I doubt I'd pay much attention to this model. The Z2 Go version, I feel, isn't quite worth it. If you find a Legion Go S with the SteamOS Ryzen Z1 Extreme, I highly recommend grabbing it.

Conclusion: A Handheld Fit for Years

I have no hesitation in skipping the MSI Claw 8 AI+, MSI Claw A8, and the Legion Go 2. This device, with its excellent ergonomics and potent hardware, should serve me well for years without needing an upgrade. The combination of a powerful processor, ample RAM, and thoughtful design makes the Legion Go S a standout in the handheld gaming space.