UPDATE (Jan 6, 2024, 1:00 PM GMT): Pierre-Loup Griffais from the Steam Deck development group has shared a message on BlueSky denying Videocardz’s assertions regarding a Z2-based Steam Deck. “There is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck. It seems the slide was intended to convey that the series is meant for products resembling that, not announcing anything particular.” The initial article persists below.
In what seems to be an instance of an unintended embargo breach, AMD’s Z2 processors appear to have emerged earlier than planned. AMD is expected to introduce the Z2 processor family at CES 2025, specifically for portable gaming devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally.
Elaborated by VideoCardz, the latest Z2 lineup remains rooted in RDNA 3. Nonetheless, AMD’s new APUs promise enhanced battery life efficiency while delivering performance upgrades over 2023’s Z1 lineup. The Z2 Extreme holds significant interest, as it is set to exhibit the greatest advancements compared to prior systems.
The Z2 Extreme is based on Strix Point with 8 Zen 5 cores, aimed at maximizing performance (and most probably, maximizing costs). For those seeking the “cream of the crop,” the premier ASUS ROG Ally 2 and Lenovo Legion Go 2 will most likely feature the Z2 Extreme architecture, likely targeted for release sometime this year. Additionally, a mid-tier Z2 non-extreme variant is anticipated, similar to the earlier Z1 platform. Moreover, there will be a more “affordable” Z2 Go iteration, bound by exclusivity to the frequently rumored Lenovo Legion Go S. Yet, it remains uncertain how affordable that device will truly be.
Curiously, Videocardz asserts that AMD highlighted the point that Valve itself will be utilizing the Z2 range, potentially providing our first indication thus far of what might be included in a prospective “Steam Deck 2,” or even a newer, more potent version of the Steam Deck 1. However, as some have noted online, it could be a misinterpretation by Videocardz, and AMD might simply be alluding to Steam-compatible third-party devices like the Lenovo Legion Go S.
AMD Ryzen Z2 specifications
| AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (2025) | 8 cores, 16 threads | Up to 5.0 GHz max boost | 24 MB cache | 15-35w configurable TDP | 16 graphics cores |
| AMD Ryzen Z2 (2025) | 8 cores, 16 threads | Up to 5.1 GHz max boost | 24 MB cache | 15-30w configurable TDP | 12 graphics cores |
| AMD Ryzen Z2 Go (2025) | 4 cores, 8 threads | Up to 4.3 GHz max boost | 10 MB cache | 15-30w configurable TDP | 12 graphics cores |
| AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (2023) | 8 cores, 16 threads | Up to 5.1 GHz max boost | 16 MB cache | 9-30w adjustable TDP | 12 graphical cores |
It’s a vibrant time in the PC gaming handheld sector
The handheld PC gaming sector is witnessing swift expansion since its introduction, with brands like GPD and its “Win” handheld leading to a significant surge in diversity in the following years. Additionally, Nintendo is reportedly set to unveil a Switch 2 this year, while Microsoft and PlayStation are also purportedly developing their own handhelds.
As gaming companies seek ways to attract new users, handheld devices have been highlighted as a possible means to capture potential gamers in scenarios where they cannot access their PC or home console. For Microsoft, the competition is increasingly viewed as critical. According to earlier leaks, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 series is anticipated to feature a Steam OS version aimed at directly challenging the Windows-enabled model. This will likely result in direct performance evaluations, potentially exposing Windows as a resource-intensive platform while Steam OS, with its Linux-oriented gaming emphasis, diminishes the appeal of Windows 11’s gaming capabilities.
Microsoft is dispatching one of its hardware executives, Jason Ronald, to CES 2025 to elaborate on how Xbox aims to enhance Windows 11 for PC gaming handhelds, particularly on devices like the Lenovo Legion Go.