Lenovo has raised the bar for portable PC gaming by unveiling its brand-new Legion Go S offering. Announced as the first officially licensed third-party handheld to ship with Valve’s SteamOS right out of the box, the Legion Go S promises console-level performance in a sleek, user-friendly design.
But let me first say a few words about SteamOS itself for those unfamiliar with it. It is a specialized Linux-based (Arch) operating system developed by Valve to optimize and streamline PC gaming while preserving a desktop computer’s essential flexibility. Now, back to the topic.
It is no secret that Valve’s development team has been working tirelessly to ensure SteamOS is finely tuned for handheld gaming. Until now, these efforts have benefited mostly Steam Deck, but the software has now been adapted to fully support the Lenovo Legion Go S.
With Lenovo’s announcement at CES 2025 of the Lenovo Legion Go S, we are pleased to share that their “Powered by SteamOS” model is the first handheld officially licensed to ship with Valve’s SteamOS.
Ahead of Legion Go S shipping, we will be shipping a beta of SteamOS which should improve the experience on other handhelds, and users can download and test this themselves. And of course we’ll continue adding support and improving the experience with future releases.
Powered by the exclusive AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, the new device combines four CPU cores and eight threads to deliver ultra-responsive gameplay. Moreover, it features AMD Radeon graphics built on RDNA 2 architecture, propelling visually demanding titles to impressive heights—especially at 1200p resolution.
This advanced processor also takes advantage of Radeon Super Resolution and FidelityFX Super Resolution for crystal-clear visuals, bringing your favorite games to life.
Legion Go S boasts an 8-inch WUXGA Lenovo PureSight display, offering a stunning 1920 × 1200 resolution with a 16:10 aspect ratio. The manufacturer claims this yields a 37% larger viewing area than a typical 7-inch, 16:9 handheld. The 120Hz variable refresh rate further refines each frame, ensuring games run smoothly and look spectacular.
Lenovo has also integrated its Legion ColdFront technology into the Legion Go S, an advanced thermal solution designed to maintain optimal temperatures even during marathon gaming sessions.
A larger fan and expanded heat sinks promise to keep the unit cool, so you can stay focused on the action instead of worrying about performance slowdowns due to heat.
Beyond the internals, the Legion TrueStrike controllers on each side of the Go S deliver enhanced ergonomics and flexibility. RGB-lit hall effect joysticks provide precise input for every genre, while a large Pivot D-Pad accommodates fighting-game combos.
Thanks to adjustable triggers, users can switch between shorter presses for rapid-fire shooters and longer presses for racing simulations with just a flick of a setting.
Regarding connectivity, the Legion Go S offers dual USB4 Type-C ports for external displays, file transfers, and even eGPU support. WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 help reduce latency for those who like to game online or connect various accessories. At the same time, Lenovo’s Legion Space software provides quick and easy network management to optimize performance.
Storage enthusiasts have plenty to cheer about as well. With up to 32GB LPDDR5X memory and 1TB of PCIe Gen4 SSD space, this handheld can handle an extensive gaming library.
If you need even more room, a built-in Micro-SD slot offers effortless expansion. A 55.5Whr battery with Rapid Charge Pro keeps you in the game, complemented by an airline-approved 65W adapter—perfect for gaming on the go.
Keep an eye out for more news and details in the coming weeks since the device isn’t available for purchase yet and is listed as “coming soon.” In the meantime, feel free to check out the detailed specs on Lenovo’s website or take a look at Valve’s announcement.
Image credits: Lenovo
