Review: Lenovo Legion Go S: Power in the Palm of Your Hands!

I’ll admit it right away, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first picked up the Legion Go S. The handheld gaming scene has been heating up over the last couple of years, but I wasn’t convinced there was a device that could balance portability, performance, and that “wow factor” you get from a high-end console or gaming PC. Well, as you know, I love the original Legion Go. I wasn’t sure I’d like the Go S as much, but… I was wrong. After spending time with the Legion Go S, I can confidently say this little powerhouse has surprised me in all the best ways.

This isn’t just another gadget that collects dust after the honeymoon phase. With Steam OS installed, it feels like a completely new and updated device. Let me walk you through what makes it special.

Performance That Blew Me Away

The very first thing that hit me after powering up the Legion Go S was just how fast and responsive everything felt. My particular model runs the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go Processor, which tops out at 4.3 GHz. It’s technically a step below the Z1 Extreme, but you honestly wouldn’t know it from the performance. This little chip packs serious punch. I jumped straight into some of my usual desktop favorites – Cyberpunk 2077 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth – half expecting the handheld to choke a little under the weight of those titles. Instead, both ran shockingly smooth.

Yes, I used frame generation through Lossless Scaling, but it genuinely worked like a charm. The visuals stayed sharp, frame rates stayed steady, and gameplay felt fluid from start to finish. Combine that with 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a lightning-fast 1 TB SSD, and load times practically disappear. I went from clicking “Play” to roaming the streets of Night City in seconds. It’s the kind of seamless performance that still surprises me on a handheld.

Honestly, I didn’t expect a device this light and small to keep pace with my desktop rig, but the Legion Go S holds its own impressively well. Because it runs on SteamOS, my entire library was ready and waiting right out of the box – no complex setup, no Windows tweaks, just instant access. The only bit of tinkering I had to do was adding Lossless Scaling, which was worth the extra minute. I love being able to wrap up a session on my PC, then pick up the Go S on the couch or while traveling and continue right where I left off. And let’s not forget the integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, which absolutely deserves credit here. They keep visuals crisp, lighting effects natural, and animations buttery smooth, all without turning the device into a portable furnace. Lenovo’s ColdFront Cooling system keeps temperatures in check remarkably well. Even after an hour-long gaming marathon, the Go S stayed comfortable to hold and never once made me worry about thermal throttling.

A Display That Makes Games Pop

Now let’s talk about the screen, because this is easily one of the best parts of the Legion Go S experience. The 8-inch PureSight display is just flat-out gorgeous. It’s the kind of screen that pulls you in before you’ve even hit “Start Game.” With its sharp 1920 x 1200 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a bright 500 nits panel, it makes every game feel rich, fluid, and incredibly alive. When I fired up Forza, the motion was buttery smooth, no stutters, no tearing, just clean, responsive movement that makes racing feel as good as it looks. Then switching over to Final Fantasy VII, I caught myself glancing twice at the screen; the color accuracy and crisp detail made it hard to believe this was a handheld and not my main monitor.

That said, compared to the original Legion Go, this isn’t a massive leap forward – it’s more of a thoughtful refinement. The specs are similar on paper, but Lenovo seems to have tuned the panel better this time. The color balance feels warmer and more natural, and the contrast gives scenes a bit more depth. It’s one of those subtle upgrades that you don’t really notice until you go back to the older model and realize how much better this one actually looks.

The touchscreen is still excellent, responsive, precise, and just convenient when you’re navigating menus or browsing. It makes the overall experience feel modern and intuitive, especially when you don’t feel like using the thumb-sticks. Even after long sessions, I never experienced that eye fatigue I sometimes got with the first Legion Go. The improved IPS panel and full sRGB color coverage keep visuals consistent and comfortable, whether you’re playing in a dim room or outside in natural light. It’s clear Lenovo didn’t just try to reinvent the wheel here, they refined it. The result isn’t revolutionary, but it’s a clear, confident evolution that makes the Legion Go S screen one of the best in the handheld game right now.

Controls and Comfort: They Got It Right

Performance and visuals are one thing, but if the controls feel cheap or clunky, it kills the entire experience. Thankfully, Lenovo absolutely nailed this part. The Legion TrueStrike controllers feel premium the moment you pick them up. The joysticks are tight, smooth, and responsive, there’s zero wobble or mushiness – and the adjustable trigger switches give you that fine-tuned level of precision usually found on high-end console controllers. Whether you’re lining up a perfect headshot or feathering the throttle in a racing game, the feedback just feels right.

For me, comfort is everything. I’ve owned my fair share of handhelds over the years, and most of them turned gaming into a test of endurance. After thirty minutes, my hands would cramp up, and I’d be shifting positions constantly trying to get comfortable. Even with the original Legion Go, I found myself detaching the controllers and propping the screen up on a desk just to keep playing longer sessions. But the Legion Go S fixes that in a big way. I’ve logged hours at a time with this thing, relaxing on the couch, sitting in bed, even on a plane, and I haven’t felt that dreaded “hand claw” fatigue once.

The build quality strikes the perfect balance between solid and comfortable. It feels dense and premium, but never heavy or awkward to hold. Every edge, button, and contour seems deliberately refined to fit naturally in your grip. And then there’s the finish – Lenovo’s Nebula Nocturne colorway. It’s sleek, modern, and a little mysterious in the best way. It looks as good sitting on a coffee table as it does in your hands during an intense match.

Connectivity is another major win. With Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, I’ve had flawless sessions connecting my wireless headset, syncing a controller, or hopping online with friends for a quick multiplayer round. No lag, no dropouts – just smooth performance every time. Everything simply works, which is exactly what you want from a device designed to go wherever you do.

After spending some serious time with it, here’s what really stood out to me:

Pros

• 500GB or 1 TB SSD for tons of storage (seriously, no need to delete games constantly)
• 8-inch 120Hz PureSight display is one of the best handheld screens I’ve seen
• Controllers feel excellent, with adjustable triggers and a premium build
• Seamless SteamOS integration – your Steam library, ready to go anywhere
• Sleek and comfortable design that doesn’t overheat thanks to ColdFront cooling

Cons

• At $649.99, it’s definitely an investment
• Touchpad is extremely small and very hard to use
• SteamOS focus means if most of your games are on other platforms, you may need workarounds

In Conclusion

After spending a few weeks with the Lenovo Legion Go S, I can honestly say this is the handheld I didn’t know I was missing. It’s powerful enough to tear through the latest AAA titles, yet light and compact enough to slip into a bag and take anywhere. What really surprised me, though, is just how refined it feels. Lenovo managed to pack serious performance into something that’s sleek, balanced, and genuinely comfortable for long gaming sessions.

Having used both the original Legion Go and the new Legion Go S, I’ve found myself gravitating toward the Go S more and more. It feels better in the hands, the design is cleaner, and most importantly, the battery life easily outlasts the original. That combination of portability, endurance, and power hits a sweet spot that’s hard to walk away from once you’ve experienced it. Now, sure? The price tag of $649.99 might make some people hesitate, but when you consider what you’re getting, it starts to make a lot of sense. This isn’t a novelty device; it’s a true portable PC gaming rig that can keep up with your desktop in ways you wouldn’t expect from something this small.

For me, the Legion Go S has become the perfect bridge between my full gaming setup and life on the move. Whether I’m traveling, lounging on the couch, or just need a break from my desk, it delivers that same immersive experience wherever I am. If you’re ready to take your gaming beyond the limits of your desk, you can pick up the Lenovo Legion Go S directly from the official website or through select retailers. Trust me, you won’t regret it.