Lenovo Unveils the Legion Go S: The Compact Gaming Powerhouse with a Surprising Twist!

A refined version of the original Legion Go, this 8-inch gaming apparatus features Hall Effect joysticks, trigger stops, and a selection of two operating systems.

Introducing the Legion Go S, a revamped edition of Lenovo’s handheld gaming gadget. We had the opportunity to preview an early model prior to its announcement at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where Lenovo also introduced a new pair of Legion display glasses and another iteration of the handheld expected this spring. Let’s take a closer look. We encountered the Legion Go S during a preview event in New York before it was officially revealed at CES, and since our time with it was brief, we did not test its performance. This is merely an overview of the fresh design and its internal components. Additionally, the Go S we examined was operating on Windows, but Lenovo astonished us at CES by launching a version that is the world’s first officially sanctioned handheld driven by Steam OS; it’s otherwise identical to the Windows edition from what we were informed. The newly introduced design is significantly less cluttered compared to the original Go. It has fewer buttons and a smaller touchpad for navigation, and unlike the Go, the controls on the Go S are fixed to the casing, making them non-removable. Lenovo claims these are Hall Effect joysticks and has also incorporated trigger stops to enable users to transition from rapid shots to longer pulls. The company has also decreased the display size and resolution; instead of the previous 8.8-inch, 2.5k resolution touchscreen, it now offers a 1920 by 1200, 8-inch display, featuring a variable refresh rate between 60 to 120 hertz. Yet, it remains a touchscreen. Notably, it is lighter as well, reducing its weight from 800.54g to 730g or approximately 1.6 pounds, despite housing a higher capacity 55-watt-hour battery. Regarding the internal components, there will now be two processor choices, either the AMD Ryzen Z1 Xtreme used in the Go, or a newly exclusive Ryzen Z2 Go processor. Memory can extend up to 32 GB and storage remains at a maximum of 1 terabyte, plus there is a micro SD card slot. Once again, the model we observed was running Windows 11, which will be available in January, starting at $730. While that appears steep, Lenovo often discounts its devices. Moreover, you are obtaining a Windows PC, and with two USB 4 ports, you can connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, allowing usage beyond gaming. For those primarily interested in gaming, the Steam OS-powered Legion Go S is anticipated in May, and it appears it will feature capabilities similar to Valve’s Steam Deck, including Remote Play and cloud save for seamless transitions between PC and handheld. Furthermore, if you appreciate a bit of privacy while gaming or simply prefer a larger screen experience, Lenovo is set to launch the Legion Glasses 2 in February priced at $400. The updated display eyewear is lighter and more streamlined compared to the bulky first-generation model, resembling aviator glasses more closely. These virtual displays cover 98% of the P3 color gamut and now offer a peak brightness of 800 nits, an improvement over the 270 nits of the first generation; they effectively create a 126-inch micro OLED display with a refresh rate reaching up to 120 Hz. Lenovo highlighted other options for PC gaming at CES, and you can explore those at CNET.com, along with more PC and gaming announcements from the event. I expect this category to see significant advancements in the upcoming year. I would love to hear your feedback in the comments, so please share your thoughts below. Thank you for watching, and you’ll see me when you see me.