The Lenovo Legion Go S is an appealing handheld to hold, with a large 8-inch 120Hz screen, but its strengths come with trade-offs: demanding games drain the battery quickly, Windows can be awkward to use on a handheld, and the small trackpad is a weak point. The differences between configurations matter: Windows Central’s SteamOS review tested a Ryzen Z1 Extreme model with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, while PCWorld’s Windows review focused on a Ryzen Z2 Go model. Their performance and battery results describe different machines, not one universal Legion Go S experience.
Which Legion Go S is being reviewed?
Lenovo announced the Legion Go S on January 7, 2025, with both Windows and SteamOS versions and processor options including the Ryzen Z2 Go and Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The tested configuration changes what to expect, so operating system, processor, memory, and storage should be considered together.
| Review configuration | Operating system and hardware | What the review establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Central SteamOS review | SteamOS; Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD | Comfort, controls, gaming performance, and battery observations for this configuration. Windows Central review |
| PCWorld Windows review | Windows; Ryzen Z2 Go; 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD noted as the less expensive configuration | Display, performance, Windows usability, and battery results for the Z2 Go model. PCWorld review |
Lenovo’s specifications list an 8-inch 16:10 WUXGA touchscreen, up to 120Hz refresh, up to 32GB LPDDR5X memory, a 55.5Wh battery, Wi-Fi 6E, two USB4 ports, a microSD reader, and a weight of 1.61 pounds (730g). These are product specifications, not a promise that every regional SKU has the same memory or storage. See Lenovo’s January 2025 announcement and match the machine type against Lenovo PSREF.
Is the Legion Go S comfortable to hold?
Comfort is one of the Go S’s clearest strengths. Windows Central found the rounded rear grips comfortable and said the textured areas helped the device feel secure; PCWorld also described its Windows model as ergonomic and comfortable. These are reviewer impressions rather than measured comfort tests. At 1.61 pounds, it is still a substantial handheld, and its size and weight are worth considering for long sessions.
#1 Best Overall
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
Controls and trackpad
The buttons, triggers, and joysticks were generally responsive in Windows Central’s SteamOS review. The small trackpad on the lower right is less convincing: the reviewer found it could be unresponsive in some menus or require too many swipes. The Go S does not have the Steam Deck’s dual trackpads, so users who rely on trackpad input should treat this as a real layout compromise.
What are the screen and display trade-offs?
The Legion Go S has an 8-inch IPS touchscreen with 1920×1200 resolution and a refresh rate up to 120Hz. PCWorld reports that its Windows review unit also supported variable refresh rate and up to 500 nits. Reviewers judged the screen good, but PCWorld preferred the Steam Deck OLED’s more vivid image, brightness, and black levels. The Go S is IPS, not OLED; its larger, high-refresh display is attractive, but it does not deliver OLED contrast.
Rank #2
- Broad Game Compatibility with Windows 11: The Windows 11 Operating system provides maximum game platform and title compatibility.
- Lenovo PureSight Gaming Display: The 8" Lenovo PureSight Display offers a larger, ultra-vibrant screen space for immersive gaming. A 120Hz refresh rate and VRR ensure smooth, responsive play. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB color, and 10-point touch support, visuals are vivid, and interactions precise.
- Take Full Control: Legion TrueStrike Controllers deliver all-day comfort and precision with an anti-slip texture for total control. Adjustable triggers switch effortlessly between short and long presses. Hall effect joysticks and triggers ensure smooth, accurate movements. A touchpad, Pivot D-Pad, RGB joysticks, and Legion O power button add style and functionality.
- Designed for Comfort, Built to Last: The Lenovo Legion Go S features a lightweight 1.6 lb (730g) ergonomic unibody for fatigue-free gaming. Its Nebula polymer finish resists dirt and oil, while an anti-slip texture ensures a secure grip. With dual USB Type-C ports and a combo audio jack, it seamlessly connects to your accessories. Built to last with Windows 11 Home.
- With 128GB MicroSD card, Mytrix 5-in-1 hub, microfiber cleaning cloth, and 9H tempered glass screen protector.
How do the Z2 Go and Z1 Extreme models compare?
The processor and configuration are central to the conflicting performance impressions. Windows Central found its Z1 Extreme SteamOS unit more powerful than the Steam Deck in some games, while cautioning that the less expensive Z2 Go version is weaker. PCWorld’s Windows review likewise placed the Z2 Go in handheld gaming territory but below the Z1 Extreme. Those findings do not establish that every Go S beats or loses to another handheld: results depend on the game, operating system, resolution, and power settings.
Lenovo announced the platform with Z2 Go and Z1 Extreme options, but current regional availability and prices for exact configurations are not established here. Compare the SKU you can actually buy, including RAM and storage, rather than relying on a review of a different model.
Rank #3
- 【Lenovo Pure Sight Gaming Display】Feel every pulse of the game with the native landscape 8" Lenovo PureSight display, offering a larger, ultra-vibrant screen. The buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and VRR keep you in perfect sync with the action. Immerse yourself with vivid colors, sharp details, and precise touch control—your world, your game, your rules.
- 【AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor with integrated RDNA graphics】 Experience incredible portable performance that lets you take your gaming adventures anywhere. Powered by the cutting-edge ‘Zen 3’ architecture, the legion go s boasts 4 high-performance CPU cores and 8 threads, delivering ultra-responsive gaming that keeps you ahead of the competition. Elevate your gaming experience to new heights with unmatched speed and efficiency!
- 【Play Your Way With Legion Space】Customize your game with Legion Space. Need more battery in the heat of battle? Adjust power modes on the fly. Want sharper visuals for that boss fight? Boost your resolution mid-game. Fine-tune your joystick sensitivity and create custom profiles for your favorite games —all while jumping between Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and more with one click.
- 【Take Full Control】Dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers— the perfect combo of style and function with the iconic Legion design. Switch effortlessly between a short and long trigger press using the adjustable trigger switch for different scenario play. Experience ultra-smooth control with hall effect RGB joysticks, and unleash combos with the large Pivot D-Pad so you're equipped for every game.
- 【Connect and Go!】The Legion Go S features dual USB C 4.0 ports for seamless accessory connections, including docks and external monitors with DisplayPort 1.4. Transfer files at blazing 40Gbps speeds or boost performance with eGPU compatibility for desktop-level gaming. Whatever your setup, Legion Go S adapts for the ultimate versatility.
Should you choose SteamOS or Windows?
Windows Central and PCWorld both report that Windows can feel awkward on a handheld gaming PC. SteamOS avoids that particular interface burden for people who mainly play through Steam, and the SteamOS review describes a more positive overall experience. That does not mean every non-Steam launcher or game works effortlessly: the reviewed coverage does not establish a complete, current compatibility matrix.
Choose based on the games and launchers you use, as well as the exact hardware configuration. A favorable SteamOS impression from a Z1 Extreme unit cannot be used as evidence for the Z2 Go Windows model’s performance, and an operating system preference does not erase the Go S’s control and battery limitations.
Rank #4
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Lenovo Pure Sight Gaming Display】Feel every pulse of the game with the native landscape 8" Lenovo PureSight display, offering a larger, ultra-vibrant screen. The buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and VRR keep you in perfect sync with the action. Immerse yourself with vivid colors, sharp details, and precise touch control—your world, your game, your rules.
- 【AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor with integrated RDNA graphics】 Experience incredible portable performance that lets you take your gaming adventures anywhere. Powered by the cutting-edge ‘Zen 3’ architecture, the legion go s boasts 4 high-performance CPU cores and 8 threads, delivering ultra-responsive gaming that keeps you ahead of the competition. Elevate your gaming experience to new heights with unmatched speed and efficiency!
- 【Play Your Way With Legion Space】Customize your game with Legion Space. Need more battery in the heat of battle? Adjust power modes on the fly. Want sharper visuals for that boss fight? Boost your resolution mid-game. Fine-tune your joystick sensitivity and create custom profiles for your favorite games —all while jumping between Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and more with one click.
- 【Take Full Control】Dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers— the perfect combo of style and function with the iconic Legion design. Switch effortlessly between a short and long trigger press using the adjustable trigger switch for different scenario play. Experience ultra-smooth control with hall effect RGB joysticks, and unleash combos with the large Pivot D-Pad so you're equipped for every game.
How long does the Legion Go S battery last while gaming?
Expect short runtime in demanding games, with results varying according to configuration, operating system, game, brightness, resolution, and power mode. The published figures below are useful examples, not directly comparable results from a shared test protocol.
| Review and setup | Reported runtime |
|---|---|
| Windows Central, Z1 Extreme SteamOS unit, intensive gaming test | 1 hour 22 minutes. Windows Central |
| Tom’s Hardware, SteamOS review, 800p, 50% brightness, Performance mode | 2 hours 5 minutes in Red Dead Redemption 2; 2 hours 30 minutes in BeamNG. Tom’s Hardware |
| PCWorld, Windows Z2 Go model, reviewer’s rough gaming estimate | About 1–2 hours for demanding games and 3–5 hours for light indie games. PCWorld |
| PCWorld synthetic video playback benchmark, Windows review unit, repeating 4K video, airplane mode, 250 nits | 562 minutes; this is video playback, not gaming runtime. PCWorld |
The different gaming results should not be collapsed into a single battery-life promise: reviewers tested different hardware and setups. The PCWorld video benchmark is a separate, lighter-use test and should not be used to estimate time in a demanding game.
Best Value
- Broad Game Compatibility with Windows 11: The Windows 11 Operating system provides maximum game platform and title compatibility.
- Lenovo PureSight Gaming Display: The 8" Lenovo PureSight Display offers a larger, ultra-vibrant screen space for immersive gaming. A 120Hz refresh rate and VRR ensure smooth, responsive play. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, 500 nits brightness, 100% sRGB color, and 10-point touch support, visuals are vivid, and interactions precise.
- Take Full Control: Legion TrueStrike Controllers deliver all-day comfort and precision with an anti-slip texture for total control. Adjustable triggers switch effortlessly between short and long presses. Hall effect joysticks and triggers ensure smooth, accurate movements. A touchpad, Pivot D-Pad, RGB joysticks, and Legion O power button add style and functionality.
- Designed for Comfort, Built to Last: The Lenovo Legion Go S features a lightweight 1.6 lb (730g) ergonomic unibody for fatigue-free gaming. Its Nebula polymer finish resists dirt and oil, while an anti-slip texture ensures a secure grip. With dual USB Type-C ports and a combo audio jack, it seamlessly connects to your accessories. Built to last with Windows 11 Home.
- With 128GB MicroSD card, Mytrix 5-in-1 hub, microfiber cleaning cloth, and 9H tempered glass screen protector.
Is the Lenovo Legion Go S worth it?
The Go S makes the most sense for a player who values a comfortable grip and a large, fast-refresh display, and who is choosing the OS and processor configuration deliberately. Its appeal is less clear if long unplugged sessions, a larger trackpad, OLED picture quality, or frictionless Windows handheld use are priorities. Value also depends on the current price of the exact RAM-and-storage SKU; the reviewed material does not establish current regional pricing or stock.
For a sound comparison, line up processor and performance at matched resolution and power settings, operating system and game compatibility, screen size and panel type, gaming battery tests, grip and controls, and the price of the configuration actually available to you.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
