Lenovo’s Legion Go S Handheld: AMD Z2 Go Powered, Supports SteamOS and Windows

When Lenovo first introduced their Legion Go gaming handheld back in mid-2023, it didn’t exactly create a stir, but they’ve now returned in 2025 with three fresh models. These new versions run on either the well-known AMD Z1 Extreme processor or the latest Z2 chip.

The Legion Go S comes with an enticing choice: you can opt for it to run on SteamOS or Windows 11. Gone are its detachable controllers, replaced with a more classic and lightweight design, weighing in at just 1.63 pounds. The white variant embraces Windows 11, while the “Nebula Violet” model operates on SteamOS, providing a more streamlined, console-like interface but keeping you predominantly in Valve’s gaming ecosystem.

Regardless of the operating system, both versions (known as Legion Go S and Legion Go S – Powered by SteamOS) boast the same impressive hardware. With a choice between a Z2 or Z1 Extreme processor, you’re looking at an 8-inch 1920×1200 LCD touchscreen, capable of 500 nits and 120 Hz, alongside a 55.5 WHr battery. You can load it up with as much as 32GB of DDR5 6400 RAM and a 1TB storage. Users interested in more storage space will appreciate that the device supports standard-sized 2280 M.2 SSDs for easy upgrades.

The ports include a MicroSD slot for extra storage, dual USB 4.0 ports at the top, and an audio jack. Lenovo aims to have the Windows 11 version available in January with prices starting around $729. Meanwhile, the SteamOS model is expected in May, beginning at $499. For those seeking something in between, additional Windows configurations should hit the market in May 2025 with a starting price of $599. According to a Lenovo rep, regardless of OS choice, a Legion Go S with a Z2 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage should cost around $599, doubling the RAM on the $729 Windows model to 32GB.

At the upper echelon of portable gaming devices, Lenovo has revealed a prototype of a next-gen Legion Go, keeping the detachable controllers everyone remembers. Yes, the optional mouse sensor, which turns the right stick into a gaming mouse, is back, although some still find it cumbersome. This refined version features rounded controller edges, a circular D-pad, and a significantly larger 74 WHr battery, up from the previous 49.2 WHr.

Its display size remains 8.8 inches with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, but Lenovo has smartly switched to an OLED panel and brought down the resolution to a more practical 1920×1200. The screen is also capable of 500 nits brightness and supports variable refresh rates. Scheduled for a 2025 release, this second-gen Legion Go will debut with a Ryzen Z2 processor, up to 2TB of storage, and 32GB of speedy 7500 MHz RAM. Details on port selection were still under wraps at our last check.