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The Lenovo Legion Go S Ryzen Z1 Extreme is not a trap because of its chip—it is a potential value trap because of its price. AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme remains a capable handheld processor, and the Go S version adds a lighter chassis, 32GB of memory, variable refresh rate, native landscape display design, and a SteamOS option. The problem appears when that configuration costs substantially more than the original Legion Go, which retains a larger display and distinctive detachable-controller features while using the same APU in relevant configurations.
There is a second, more serious buying hazard: the Go S name also covers the much weaker Ryzen Z2 Go configuration. Confirm the processor before comparing prices.
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The short answer
The Lenovo Legion Go S with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme is not a bad handheld because of its processor. AMD’s chip remains a serious handheld gaming APU: it has 8 Zen 4 CPU cores, 16 threads, 12 RDNA 3 graphics compute units, and a configurable 9–30W power range. AMD’s specifications do not support calling it obsolete or inherently poor value.
The trap is paying a large premium for the Go S Z1 Extreme without caring about the features that make it different. At the cited U.S. review-period price of $829.99, the Go S had to compete with the original Legion Go, which used the same Z1 Extreme in relevant configurations and was listed at approximately $699.99 to $749.99 depending on storage. The older model offered a larger, higher-resolution display, detachable controllers, a built-in kickstand, and FPS mode.
#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.
That makes the accurate verdict simple: the Legion Go S Z1 Extreme is a good handheld that can become a bad deal. Buy it for its lighter integrated design, 32GB of memory, variable-refresh-rate display, native landscape layout, or SteamOS option—not merely because it has “Z1 Extreme” in the name.
Disclosure: Product references in this guide may be used for shopping comparisons. Prices, configurations, sellers, and availability vary by country and date.
Who should buy it—and who should skip it?
| If you care most about… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| SteamOS, 32GB RAM, lighter weight, and integrated controls | Legion Go S Z1 Extreme | These are the Go S’s most meaningful advantages over the original design. |
| Detachable controllers, a kickstand, or the biggest and sharpest screen | Original Legion Go | The older model retains distinctive hardware features that the Go S removes. |
| The lowest price for Z1 Extreme performance | Whichever model is substantially discounted | The two devices share the same APU in the relevant configurations, so the price gap matters. |
| A Go S at a low price without checking the processor | Neither until you verify the listing | The Z2 Go version is not equivalent to the Z1 Extreme version. |
If you are checking the exact model, compare the Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme listing by its processor, operating system, memory, storage, and model number. “Legion Go S” alone is not enough to identify the performance level.
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Lenovo’s U.S. listing for one Go S Z1 Extreme configuration identifies a fairly premium specification:
| Component | Go S Z1 Extreme configuration |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme; 8 Zen 4 cores, 16 threads |
| Graphics | 12 RDNA 3 graphics compute units |
| Memory | 32GB soldered LPDDR5X-7500 |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2242 SSD on the cited U.S. listing |
| Display | 8-inch, 1920×1200 IPS touchscreen; 500 nits, 100% sRGB, 120Hz |
| Battery | 55.5Wh |
| Weight | Approximately 730g, or 1.61 pounds |
Those configuration details come from Lenovo’s Go S product listing and Lenovo’s CES announcement. They are not universal specifications for every Go S sold worldwide. Lenovo offers different processor, operating-system, memory, storage, and regional configurations, so confirm the exact model before buying.
The Go S’s hardware is therefore not a token refresh. Compared with the original Legion Go, it changes the physical design and adds a higher-memory configuration. Its 8-inch 16:10 panel is also designed in a native landscape orientation, and the platform supports variable refresh rate. For someone who simply wants a conventional handheld with built-in controls, those changes can matter more than a small benchmark difference.
The biggest warning: Go S is a family name, not a performance specification
Lenovo sells the Go S platform with processors that are far apart in CPU architecture and graphics architecture. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme and Ryzen Z2 Go versions should not be treated as two names for the same performance tier.
| Processor | CPU architecture and layout | Graphics architecture | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen Z1 Extreme | 8 Zen 4 cores / 16 threads | 12 RDNA 3 compute units | The high-performance Go S configuration discussed in this article. |
| Ryzen Z2 Go | 4 Zen 3+ cores / 8 threads | 12 RDNA 2 compute units | A materially weaker configuration despite using the same Go S chassis family. |
AMD’s Ryzen Z-series comparison confirms the architectural split. The Z2 Go has the same nominal number of graphics compute units as the Z1 Extreme, but that does not make the two chips equivalent. CPU core count, CPU generation, GPU architecture, power limits, drivers, and game settings all affect the result.
Rank #2
- 【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.
Do not assume that a newer “Z2” badge automatically means a faster handheld either. AMD’s Z2 range includes Z2 Extreme with Zen 5 and RDNA 3.5, standard Z2 with Zen 4 and RDNA 3, and Z2 Go with Zen 3+ and RDNA 2. The model suffix matters more than the generation number alone.
Buying rule: if a listing says only “Legion Go S,” open the detailed specifications and verify that it says Ryzen Z1 Extreme. A lower price may reflect the Z2 Go processor rather than a discount on the model you intended to buy.
How much faster is the Z1 Extreme Go S?
Independent testing shows why the Z1 Extreme version deserves to be treated as a separate product from the Z2 Go model. In Tom’s Hardware’s Go S SteamOS review, the Z1 Extreme configuration led the Z2 Go configuration by the following approximate margins in the cited tests:
| Game | Approximate Z1 Extreme lead | Test context |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 8 FPS | 800p |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 11 FPS | 800p |
| Far Cry 6 | 14 FPS | Review test settings |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 14 FPS | Review test settings |
| Borderlands 3 | 18 FPS | Review test settings |
These are not guaranteed results for every game or firmware version. They are review-specific measurements, and updates, graphics presets, resolution, power profiles, and thermal conditions can change the gap. They do establish the important point: the Z1 Extreme is not a cosmetic upgrade over the Z2 Go. The processor choice is one of the first things to verify, not a detail to leave until after comparing chassis features.
The same review also found the Go S running SteamOS ahead of the Windows 11 Go S in its comparisons, with differences ranging from approximately 4 to 15 FPS depending on the resolution and test. That is useful evidence for considering the SteamOS version, but it should not be turned into a universal claim that SteamOS always beats Windows. Game patches, graphics drivers, power modes, compatibility layers, and test settings can alter the outcome. See Tom’s Hardware’s published test results for the review’s exact comparison context.
Why the original Legion Go makes the Go S price difficult
The original Legion Go is not simply an inferior predecessor. Lenovo’s specifications give it several features the Go S deliberately abandons:
- An 8.8-inch 2560×1600 display rather than the Go S’s 8-inch 1920×1200 panel.
- Detachable TrueStrike controllers.
- A built-in kickstand.
- Multiple operating modes, including an FPS mode.
- 16GB of soldered LPDDR5X memory rather than 32GB.
- A 49.2Wh battery rather than the Go S’s 55.5Wh battery.
- Approximately 854g with the controllers attached, compared with approximately 730g for the Go S.
You can verify the original model’s hardware in Lenovo’s Legion Go specifications and compare the weight figures in Lenovo’s official PSREF document.
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- 【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.
The relevant price comparison is from a specific period, not a permanent market rule. Tom’s Hardware reviewed the flagship Go S SteamOS configuration at $829.99. A review-period comparison listed original Legion Go Z1 Extreme configurations at about $699.99 for the base-storage model and $749.99 for the higher-storage model. That put the Go S roughly $80 to $130 higher, depending on which original configuration was used as the comparison.
Prices for handheld PCs change quickly with sales, stock, storage, and operating-system variants. Do not interpret those figures as the current U.S. price, and do not apply them unchanged to another country. The value question is whether the Go S premium at the time you shop is worth its lighter body, 32GB memory, VRR display, native landscape design, and SteamOS availability.
If the Go S is close in price to the original model, the decision is not automatically “buy the newer one.” The original Lenovo Legion Go remains the more distinctive choice for players who want detachable controls, a kickstand, a large high-resolution display, or FPS mode. Its extra weight and bulk are real disadvantages, but so are the Go S’s missing features.
What the Go S improves
The Go S earns its place when its specific improvements match how you use a handheld.
It is lighter and more conventional to hold
At approximately 730g, the Go S is substantially lighter than the original Legion Go with its controllers attached, which Lenovo lists at approximately 854g. The rounded integrated chassis also avoids the original model’s detachable-controller design. That does not make the Go S universally more comfortable—hand size, grip, and game type still matter—but it is a credible reason to choose it for long handheld sessions.
It offers 32GB of memory in the flagship configuration
The cited Z1 Extreme Go S configuration has 32GB of soldered LPDDR5X-7500, while the original Legion Go has 16GB. The extra capacity is a meaningful specification advantage, particularly for buyers who want more headroom for the operating system, game assets, and integrated graphics memory allocation. It is not, by itself, proof that games will run at a higher frame rate; the APU, power profile, resolution, and software still determine performance.
It has a lower-resolution display that may suit the hardware better
The Go S’s 1920×1200 panel is less demanding than the original Go’s 2560×1600 display. It also provides 120Hz refresh, 500-nit brightness, 100% sRGB coverage, and variable refresh rate in the cited configuration. The original screen is larger and sharper, but driving a high-resolution handheld display is not always useful when the game is being rendered at a lower internal resolution. The Go S’s panel is a sensible balance for a portable gaming device, even though it is not an across-the-board upgrade.
SteamOS is an actual configuration choice
Lenovo makes both Windows and SteamOS variants available within the Go S family, although availability depends on the model and market. For buyers who specifically want a console-like SteamOS interface, that option can be more valuable than the original Go’s removable controllers. The cited Tom’s Hardware testing also favored SteamOS over Windows 11 in its comparisons, but treat that as evidence from one review rather than a guarantee for every game.
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- 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.
Battery and charging: better capacity, not a guaranteed runtime
The Go S has a 55.5Wh battery, compared with 49.2Wh in the original Legion Go. That is a capacity advantage, but it does not translate into a fixed number of hours of gaming. Runtime varies with the game, frame rate, brightness, wireless connections, operating system, power mode, display refresh, software, and battery age.
Lenovo’s PSREF gives Super Rapid Charge claims of 0% to 30% in 10 minutes, 0% to 70% in 30 minutes, and 0% to 100% in 80 minutes under its stated charging conditions. Those are charging-time claims—not guaranteed gaming-runtime figures. Lenovo also notes that real results vary by configuration and use. Read the Go S PSREF charging and battery notes before treating the figures as a promise for your setup.
Memory is fixed, but storage can be expanded
The Go S’s RAM is soldered. You cannot buy the 16GB version and later install more memory, so choose the memory capacity at purchase. This is another reason not to assume that every Go S configuration offers the same long-term value: the 32GB Z1 Extreme model and a lower-memory variant are not interchangeable after the fact.
Lenovo’s specification material identifies one internal PCIe NVMe storage slot and microSD expansion. However, the supported SSD form factor and capacity can vary with the exact Go S revision. Lenovo’s PSREF documents distinguish between model revisions, so check the full model number before ordering a drive. For that reason, treat a Legion Go S SSD upgrade as a model-matching exercise, not a generic M.2 purchase. Confirm the slot size, physical clearance, interface, and any installation or recovery requirements first.
A Legion Go S microSD card is the simpler removable-storage route for a larger game library, but it does not change the Go S’s internal memory or processor. Match the card to the device and your performance expectations, and keep especially important games on the internal SSD when load behavior matters.
The Go S can also serve as a small desktop or TV gaming computer through its USB-C/USB4 connectivity. If that is part of your plan, a Legion Go S USB-C dock can consolidate display, power, and peripherals, but verify USB Power Delivery and display compatibility for the exact dock and regional Go S model. A dock is a convenience purchase, not a reason to choose the Go S over the original unless you also prefer its lighter integrated chassis.
A practical buying framework
Choose the Go S Z1 Extreme when all or most of these are true
- You want SteamOS and the SteamOS configuration is available in your market.
- You value an integrated, lighter handheld more than detachable controllers.
- You want 32GB of memory and understand that it is soldered.
- You prefer a native landscape display with VRR over the original Go’s larger 2560×1600 panel.
- The price premium over the original Legion Go is small enough—or the Go S is discounted enough—that these features justify it.
- You have verified the listing says Ryzen Z1 Extreme, not Ryzen Z2 Go.
Choose the original Legion Go when these features matter more
- You want to detach the controllers for tabletop play or use the built-in kickstand.
- You prefer the larger 8.8-inch 2560×1600 display.
- You want FPS mode or the original model’s wider set of operating modes.
- You can find the Z1 Extreme original at a substantial discount.
- You do not need 32GB of memory and are comfortable with the original’s 16GB capacity.
Wait or choose another configuration when this is the situation
- The Go S Z1 Extreme is still near its $829.99 review-period price while the original Z1 Extreme is much cheaper.
- The listing does not clearly identify the processor, operating system, memory, or model number.
- You are considering the Z2 Go only because it shares the Go S name.
- You expect the newer Z2 branding alone to guarantee better performance or battery life.
The right comparison is not “new model versus old model.” It is the exact Go S configuration at today’s price versus the exact original Legion Go configuration at today’s price, with the features you will actually use assigned a value.
Final verdict
The Lenovo Legion Go S Z1 Extreme is not a processor trap. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme remains the stronger Go S option and is materially faster than the Z2 Go configuration in the cited testing. The Go S also offers a lighter body, 32GB memory, VRR, a native landscape display, a larger battery, and a SteamOS choice.
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But it can be a value trap when Lenovo or a retailer prices it like a generational flagship while the original Legion Go is heavily discounted. The older model still gives you a larger, higher-resolution screen, detachable controllers, a kickstand, and FPS mode, and it uses the same Z1 Extreme in relevant versions.
Buy the Go S Z1 Extreme when you specifically want its design and configuration, preferably at a real discount. Avoid it when you are paying extra for the name alone.
Best Value
- MAX POWER, YOUR RULES – Play your way with the Lenovo Legion Go 2. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, a vibrant 8.8" 144Hz Lenovo PureSight OLED gaming display, and a massive 74Whr battery, it’s built to push further, game longer, and stay unplugged.
- MAX COOLING, MANUAL CONTROL – The Legion Coldfront thermal system is built to handle serious heat. Increased radiators and fan blade’s surface area improves the airflow without increasing the noise. Upgraded dual heat pipes distribute heat more efficiently to keep your rig powerful and precise.
- UNLOCK MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY – Experience total freedom with the Legion Truestrike controllers. In FPS mode, the right controller can be detached, docked and operated as a mouse, giving you the edge in every firefight.
- SPEED + IMMERSION – The OLED gaming panel combines blazing speed and visual depth in a single, immersive experience. Game without compromise aided by the ultra-fast response rates, perfect blacks, and vivid color.
- BUILT TO OUTLAST – The Legion Go 2 packs 74Whr of serious staying power. That means longer sessions, higher settings, and fewer compromises, whether you're gaming at full performance or tweaking settings on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ryzen Z1 Extreme itself a bad processor?
No. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme has 8 Zen 4 cores, 16 threads, and 12 RDNA 3 graphics compute units, with a configurable 9–30W range. The more accurate criticism is that the Go S Z1 Extreme can be overpriced compared with the original Legion Go, which uses the same APU in relevant configurations.
Is the Legion Go S Z2 Go as fast as the Z1 Extreme model?
No. The Z2 Go uses 4 Zen 3+ CPU cores and 8 threads with RDNA 2 graphics, while the Z1 Extreme uses 8 Zen 4 cores, 16 threads, and RDNA 3 graphics. Tom’s Hardware measured the Z1 Extreme ahead by approximately 8 to 18 FPS in several cited games, although results vary by settings and software.
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Not inherently. Both relevant versions use the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, but performance can change with power limits, thermals, memory allocation, resolution, drivers, and operating system. The Go S is not universally faster or slower; its main question is whether its design improvements justify the price.
Does the Go S have better battery life?
The Go S has the more useful capacity advantage: 55.5Wh versus 49.2Wh. However, battery capacity does not guarantee a specific gaming runtime. Lenovo’s Super Rapid Charge figures are charging claims under stated conditions, not promises of how long games will run.
Can you upgrade the Legion Go S memory or storage?
The RAM is soldered and cannot be upgraded. Lenovo identifies an internal PCIe NVMe storage slot and microSD expansion, but the supported SSD form factor depends on the exact model revision. Verify the full model number in Lenovo’s PSREF before buying a replacement drive.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The Ryzen Z1 Extreme is not the problem. The deal is. Choose the Legion Go S Z1 Extreme for its lighter integrated design, 32GB RAM, VRR, native landscape display, or SteamOS; choose the original Legion Go when its detachable controllers, kickstand, and larger screen matter more.
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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.
