Lenovo Legion Go S vs. Steam Deck OLED: A Comparative Overview
Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is one of the most highly anticipated devices at CES 2025, and after having seen and experienced it firsthand
Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is one of the most highly anticipated devices at CES 2025, and after having seen and experienced it firsthand, we can confidently say that it’s an exciting new entry in the portable gaming market. The Legion Go S, a successor to the original Legion Go, comes with significant upgrades that aim to challenge the Steam Deck’s dominance. With improvements in its display, processor, and an aggressive price tag, the Legion Go S appears ready to steal the spotlight. Most notably, this could become the first dedicated SteamOS handheld outside of the Steam Deck, further expanding the reach of SteamOS into the portable gaming market.
Although the Legion Go S’s performance is still under evaluation, early impressions are promising. Here, we’ll compare it against the Steam Deck OLED and assess what makes the Legion Go S such an exciting contender for the portable gaming throne.
Price Comparison and Market Position
Pricing plays a crucial role in the success of any technological product, but it holds even more weight in the portable gaming sector. These devices are meant to offer a more accessible gaming experience than powerful gaming laptops or desktop PCs, while also being portable enough for on-the-go gaming. Initially, products like the ROG Ally X and the first-generation Legion Go impressed with their hardware, but their price tags were far higher than that of the Steam Deck. The Legion Go S, however, offers a much more competitive pricing structure.
The base model of the Legion Go S starts at $500, which undercuts the Steam Deck OLED by $50, making it an enticing option for those looking to get into the portable gaming world without breaking the bank. It is worth noting that this model is equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip and runs SteamOS, with a configuration designed for affordable gaming. The more powerful Z1 Extreme variant, along with an eventual Z2 Extreme model, will come at a higher price, although the exact costs are yet to be disclosed.
Windows 11 configurations are also available, with the $730 Z1 Extreme model offering the latest Windows experience. The SteamOS model will be available in May, with an entry-level version starting at $530, which is only slightly higher than the SteamOS-based Legion Go S.
One major point to note is that, according to reports, there is no Steam Deck 2 currently in development that will match the Legion Go S’s performance. This could give Lenovo’s device an early advantage in terms of raw power.
Specifications Breakdown
Although spec tables are useful, they don’t always paint the full picture of a device’s capabilities. That said, comparing the specs of the Legion Go S and Steam Deck OLED provides us with a clearer idea of what each device offers. The Legion Go S is the more recent model, and as expected, it boasts superior specifications in many areas.
A key difference lies in the processors. The Legion Go S offers a choice of the Z2 Go or the more powerful Z1 Extreme, with the latter being particularly potent compared to the Steam Deck’s older Zen 2-based CPU. The Z2 Go matches the Steam Deck’s core count but upgrades to Zen 3, delivering improved performance with a higher clock speed. Meanwhile, the GPU in both Legion Go S models is a 12-core RDNA 3 chip, which should provide similar graphical performance to the Steam Deck’s RDNA 2, but with the added benefit of more computing power from the CPU side.
Another major advantage of the Legion Go S is its double the memory capacity of the Steam Deck, which should not only enhance its ability to handle more demanding games in the future but also improve multitasking capabilities. This will be especially helpful for users who want to run background applications like streaming services while gaming.
The Legion Go S also boasts a larger, brighter display with a higher refresh rate. While the Steam Deck OLED’s colors and contrast are undoubtedly superior, the Legion Go S’s LCD screen remains impressive, especially for those who value clarity and smooth gameplay. The higher refresh rate of 120Hz, compared to the Steam Deck’s 90Hz, could give the Legion Go S a slight edge in fast-paced games, making it a more responsive device overall.
In terms of design, the Legion Go S is thinner and sleeker than the Steam Deck, although it carries a slightly heavier weight. The device also ditches the detachable controls seen on the first Legion Go in favor of an integrated design that is more comfortable to hold, with an 8-inch screen that feels perfectly sized for extended gaming sessions.
Performance and Display Quality
Performance-wise, the Legion Go S is expected to outperform the Steam Deck, thanks to its newer CPUs and the more advanced RDNA 3 GPU. Early impressions suggest that the Legion Go S will be faster and more capable, especially in terms of CPU performance, where the Z1 Extreme model particularly stands out. This boost in processing power will be useful for demanding tasks and higher resolution gaming. Additionally, the Legion Go S’s 120Hz display offers a smoother visual experience than the Steam Deck’s 90Hz, which could be a crucial factor for gamers who prioritize fast-paced gameplay.
Although the Legion Go S boasts a higher refresh rate and improved CPU, it’s still important to recognize that the Steam Deck’s OLED panel offers richer colors and better contrast. OLED displays generally deliver more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, which is a significant advantage for media consumption and some types of games. However, the Legion Go S’s LCD display is still sharp and clear, with the added benefit of higher brightness and a smoother frame rate, which may ultimately make it more competitive in certain gaming scenarios.
Comfort and Usability
The Legion Go S incorporates integrated controls, which are arguably more comfortable for extended gaming than the original detachable controls from the first Legion Go. This design change makes the device more ergonomic and pleasant to hold, even during long gaming sessions. However, as noted by our reviewer Jacob Roach, it’s still not as comfortable as the Steam Deck, which remains the industry benchmark for handheld gaming ergonomics.
The touchpad design of the Legion Go S is smaller than that of the Steam Deck, but it’s still functional enough for quick swipes and precision control. For many gamers, this may not be a major issue, as most games rely on analog sticks, but the Steam Deck’s larger touchpad will still have the edge in certain games that require more fine-tuned control.
Conclusion
While the Steam Deck OLED has held its ground as the go-to device for portable gaming, the Legion Go S emerges as a strong competitor. It offers more power, a faster refresh rate, and a brighter, larger display. The ability to choose between Windows and SteamOS further expands its appeal, allowing users to tailor their gaming experience based on their preferences.
Despite its impressive specifications, the Steam Deck still has some advantages, particularly in terms of its OLED screen and ergonomic design. However, with Lenovo’s aggressive pricing and promising performance, the Legion Go S looks like a serious contender for portable gaming supremacy. The real question now is whether Valve will make the necessary updates to keep the Steam Deck relevant in the face of such stiff competition.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for raw power, better display clarity, and competitive pricing, the Legion Go S might be the better choice. However, the Steam Deck still holds its ground in comfort, screen quality, and overall gaming experience. Only time will tell which device will dominate the portable gaming landscape in the long run.
