Lenovo Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Which is better?

During CES 2025, Lenovo revealed specs for its upcoming Legion Go S gaming handheld, which serves as a mid-generation refresh that will be available in both a Windows 11 and then a SteamOS version. Additionally, the computer manufacturer also showed off a prototype for the Legion Go 2, which is a next-gen gaming handheld.

I conducted our own Lenovo Legion Go review and I have been able to test or review every major gaming handheld currently on the market, so I'm very interested in these new devices. As such, I've taken the time to compare the new Legion Go S against the Legion Go 2 prototype. Let's see how they are similar and how they differ.

Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Specs

*These are starting prices for the Legion Go S models. Prices can go up depending on the configuration.

Since the Legion Go 2 shown at CES 2025 is just a prototype, we don't know all of the handheld's specs. What's more, the info listed on this chart might very likely change before the Legion Go 2 actually launches.

Now that you've seen these specs, let's dive in and discuss what these changes might mean for you.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Price & value speculation

As of right now, talking about the price and release date of the Legion Go 2 is really just a matter of speculation, as these details haven't been shared by Lenovo. Additionally, since the device likely won't launch for several months yet, we likely won't get these details for quite a while.

However, it's probably fair to assume that the $499.99 starting price of the Legion Go S (SteamOS) is much lower than the starting price of the Legion Go 2. After all, you put a higher-tier processor as well as a higher-tier OLED display on a handheld, and you can bet it will be expensive.

Just note that Lenovo has said that the $729.99 Legion Go S (Windows 11) configuration with AMD Z2 Go, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD will be releasing first, sometime in January. Meanwhile, additional configurations — with a starting price of $599.99 for Windows 11 and a starting price of $499.99 for SteamOS — are coming sometime later in May 2025.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Performance

Simply based on the processors, the Legion Go 2 will more than likely offer better performance, given the prototype already has a more powerful Z2 Extreme APU (accelerated processing unit) than the Legion Go S (Windows 11)'s AMD Z2 Go chip.

It's also notable that Lenovo has added VRR (variable refresh rate) to both the Legion Go S and Legion Go 2. This should help eliminate screen tearing and make games run more smoothly on these new handhelds than they did on the original Legion Go device.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Display

OLEDs are fantastic gaming displays thanks to the fact that they support a high refresh rate, offer amazing color, and actually produce true black. In other words, when the pixels are meant to show black, they turn off entirely and show a deep black rather than the grey hue some other panel types display.

Because of this, the Legion Go 2, with its larger 8.8-inch OLED display that can reach a higher 144Hz refresh rate, definitely has a better screen than the Legion Go S (Windows 11)'s smaller 8-inch LCD touchscreen. Of course, both handhelds support VRR, so they should offer great motion clarity.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Controls and play modes

The Legion Go S and Legion Go 2 have the same basic front-side layout with ABXY buttons, a Menu button, a View button, triggers, bumpers, a touchpad, a D-Pad, and joysticks. However, The Legion Go S and Legion Go 2 differ quite a bit when it comes to playing modes — you can remove the controllers on the Legion Go 2 and prop the handheld up by its kickstand. However, these aren't features of the Legion Go S.

More specifically, the right controller can be put into FPS mode (first-person shooter) and then slid around in its FPS base to be used more like a mouse. Because of these differences, the Legion Go 2 has more controls on the backside, such as a mouse wheel, more back buttons, and side buttons for right and left clicking.

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It's also worth noting that the SteamOS version of the Legion Go S swaps out its top left Legion Space button for a SteamOS button. Additionally, the Legion Go S has backside trigger switches, but it's unclear if the Legion Go 2 does at this time.

If you think you'd benefit from using the FPS mode, then the Legion Go 2 is the better handheld. But if you strictly want a handheld, then the Legion Go S might be a better choice, control-wise.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Software and games

As previously discussed, the Legion Go S comes in a Windows 11 model and a SteamOS model. Because of this, the way you access games and services will be drastically different between these models right out of the box. We currently have no idea if Legion Go 2 is getting a SteamOS version, but it is possible.

For those who might not know, SteamOS is a Linux-based operating system. It's designed with a more simplified interface so people can access their Steam libraries very quickly without having to navigate through a bunch of programs like you would on a full computer. While it is possible to access other game services on SteamOS, the handheld will likely only be set up for SteamOS at launch, just like the Steam Deck.

If you are comfortable with Linux or don't mind learning it, then you can customize SteamOS quite a bit and make it easy to access things outside of Steam.

Meanwhile, Windows 11 handhelds are basically small gaming laptops. You have access to a browser and can go to any service you want including Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, and much more.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Battery life

The Legion Go S has a 55.5 WHr battery, while the Legion Go 2 has a larger 74 WHr battery, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the Legion Go 2 has better battery life. The biggest drain on a handheld is its screen, and usually, the bigger the screen, the more power is needed. As such, it's possible that the Legion Go S might have better battery life after all. We'll have to wait until the devices launch to really test and know for sure.

Of course, it's hard to say what kind of processor and battery advancements we'll actually see before the Legion Go 2 officially launches. AMD already confirmed that its new Z2 Extreme chip can boost handheld battery life by 300%, so you'll likely get significantly better battery life from the Z2 Go version of the Legion Go S rather than sticking to the Z1 Extreme option.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Grip ergonomics and comfort

Both the Legion Go S and Legion Go 2 have a more slimmed down and ergonomic design to them than the original, boxy-shaped Legion Go does.

Whether or not a handheld is comfortable to hold comes down to three things: Ergonomics, balance, and weight. If a handheld is designed to fit into hands, it tends to be easier to hold for long stretches. If a device's internals are balanced so that the handheld doesn't tip one way or another, that puts less course correction work on the hands and wrists. Meanwhile, overall weight is always a factor that can wear hands out over time.

Now, this is where things get tricky. The Legion Go S weighs less and likely has smaller dimensions compared to the Legion Go 2, which could make it easier to hold during long play sessions. However, those detachable controllers on the larger handheld mean that you have the option to support the weight of the gamepads rather than the whole device, so in that way, the Legion Go 2 can be easier on the hands and wrists.

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Comparison chart

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Legion Go 2 vs Legion Go S: Which should I buy?

If you're really interested in getting a gaming handheld soon, then you're far better off going with the Legion Go S. The first configuration launches soon, with additional options coming in May 2025. Meanwhile, there is no launch date for the Legion Go 2, so we could be waiting months or even years before it actually releases.

The Legion Go S is a really nice mid-generation refresh that offers a slimmed-down casing with up to an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip. This improved processor, combined with the fact that the handheld supports VRR, means that it should offer better performance than the original Legion Go.

It might not have detachable controllers or a kickstand, but people who play in handheld mode don't need these features. There will likely be a Legion Go S case out there with a kickstand, and you can always connect an external gamepad like an Xbox controller or a keyboard and mouse if you want to.

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