Lenovo Legion Go S Handheld Gaming Console Review

The Lenovo Legion Go S is built like a portable workstation with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, but its integrated GPU is a letdown for gaming. You get a great screen and a solid CPU, yet it scores a low 55.4 in our gaming metric. It's a niche pick for power users who game on the side.

The Lenovo Legion Go S is a handheld that's built like a tank on the inside, with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. That's a lot of memory and storage for a portable device, putting it well above average for its category. But the specs tell a story of two halves: you're getting a solid 8-core AMD Z1 Extreme CPU paired with a display that hits 120Hz and 500 nits, which is impressive. The catch comes when you look at what it's meant to do most: gaming.

Let's talk about what this thing can do. The AMD Z1 Extreme 8-core CPU is a strong performer, landing in the 64th percentile. That means it's got plenty of power for multitasking and running Windows 11 smoothly. The 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM is a real standout, sitting in the 87th percentile. You won't be running out of memory anytime soon. The 8-inch 1200p screen is also a bright spot, with good color coverage and a high refresh rate that makes everything feel fluid. Now, the big 'but'. The integrated AMD Radeon graphics are the weak link. Scoring in the 21st percentile, this GPU lags behind most of the competition. For modern AAA gaming, you'll be making serious compromises on visual settings and frame rates to get playable performance.

Here's the wild part: the listed price range across vendors is from $980 to over $20,000. That high end is clearly nonsense, probably a placeholder or error. If you can find this config near the $980 mark, it represents an interesting proposition for the RAM and storage alone. But you're paying a premium for specs that don't fully translate to its intended gaming use. Compared to other handhelds, the value hinges entirely on how much you prize that 32GB of RAM over raw graphical power.

Stacked up against its real competition like the ASUS ROG Ally or Steam Deck OLED, the Legion Go S takes a different path. It doubles down on system memory and storage while other devices might offer better GPU performance or efficiency. For example, a competitor with a weaker CPU but a stronger integrated GPU might deliver a much smoother gaming experience. If you're a multitasker who also games, the Legion's 32GB RAM is a killer feature. If you just want the best frame rates in new games, you'll likely be disappointed. It's a trade-off: future-proof specs versus present-day gaming grunt.

Skip this if you're buying a handheld primarily for high-fidelity gaming. The GPU performance is a weak spot, landing in the bottom quarter of devices we track. If you want to play Cyberpunk 2077 or Alan Wake 2 with decent visuals, look for a device with a more powerful integrated graphics solution. Also, if extreme portability is your goal, its 0.74kg weight and size are only about average for the category.

We can't recommend the Legion Go S if your primary goal is playing the latest games at good settings. The data is clear: the GPU holds it back. However, if you see this as a ultra-portable Windows PC first and a gaming device second, it makes more sense. That 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD are fantastic for productivity, emulation, or older/indie titles. Buy it for the multitasking headroom, not for pushing graphical boundaries.