Lenovo Legion Go 2 review: The utility PC gaming handheld

Lenovo Legion Go 2: The Utility Gaming Handheld

When the first wave of handheld PCs launched, they prioritized portability over raw power. However, enthusiasts always demand more: increased horsepower, better battery life, and extra features. Out of all the handhelds available, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 offers the most tools and special equipment. Starting at $1,100, this flagship device commands a premium, but its combination of strong performance and unmatched adaptability makes it the SUV of gaming handhelds.

Quick Overview

While it isn't super affordable, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is the most adaptable portable PC.

• Pros: Good performance, massive 8.8-inch OLED display, detachable controllers and built-in touchpad, comes with a case.
• Cons: Expensive (especially the Z2 Extreme model), big and bulky, finicky fingerprint sensor.

Design

The Legion Go 2 features a basic design similar to the Switch 2 but is significantly bigger and bulkier. It weighs two pounds and measures 11.6 inches wide with controllers attached, making the ROG Xbox Ally X (1.6 pounds, 11.4 inches) and the Switch 2 (1.2 pounds, 10.7 inches) look petite.

Both the left and right controllers can be detached, though Lenovo used regular latches instead of the magnets found on the Nintendo Switch 2, making removal clunkier. On the plus side, it uses Hall Effect sensors for responsive joysticks. Critically, Lenovo retained the kickstand and the built-in touchpad on the right controller, which is super handy for navigating the Windows 11 desktop.

The right gamepad can be detached and switched into "FPS mode" using an included base to create a vertical mouse-like setup, complete with extra mouse buttons. For connectivity, the device features two USB-C ports (data, power delivery, display output), a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

One nitpick is the finicky fingerprint reader (built into the power button), which can sometimes turn the screen back on when the user intends to put the handheld to sleep.

Display

The massive 8.8-inch OLED panel is arguably the biggest reason to choose the Legion Go 2 over rivals like the ROG Xbox Ally X. At 8.8 inches, it is significantly larger than the 7-inch panel on the ASUS rival or the 7.9-inch screen on a Switch 2. The display boasts rich, saturated colors, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 16:10 resolution (1,920 x 1,200). At 500 nits, it matches the brightness of the ROG Xbox Ally X.

Performance and Software

The base $1,100 model comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 chip, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage. For the best performance, the $1,350 version features the Z2 Extreme chip and 32GB of RAM (the configuration tested). While both the maxed-out Legion Go 2 and ROG Xbox Ally X use the Z2 Extreme chip, optimization by **Microsoft** on **ASUS**'s rival results in framerates about seven percent higher.

In Cyberpunk 2077, the Legion Go 2 hit 57.5 fps compared to 62.1 fps for the ROG Xbox Ally X. In Returnal, the Lenovo reached 39 fps versus 42 for ASUS. This difference can impact playability, forcing lower settings in demanding titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to achieve smoother experiences at the Legion Go 2's native resolution.

The handheld reaches maximum speed when plugged in, with a sustained TDP of 35 watts (and a 45-watt boost). Lenovo's Legion Space app has matured into a solid platform for launching games and tweaking settings. Due to its trackpad and adaptable design, the Legion Go 2 is the most capable portable for users who want to use it as a mini **Windows** PC.

Battery Life

Thanks to a 74WHr cell, the Legion Go 2 offers a nice bump in battery life over its predecessor. However, its large display means its longevity lags slightly behind the ROG Xbox Ally X. Playing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the Legion Go 2 lasted almost three hours, which was 30 minutes short of the ROG Xbox Ally X.

Wrap-up

The **Lenovo Legion Go 2** is large and expensive. The top-tier **Z2 Extreme** model costs $1,350, yet its performance is slightly behind the rival **ROG Xbox Ally X**. However, the **Legion Go 2** makes up for its cost with versatility. Its 8.8-inch OLED display is a huge upgrade in screen space and image quality, and features like the touchpad, detachable controllers, and kickstand make it feel more like a portable hybrid PC than a single-purpose gaming machine. While the **ROG Xbox Ally X** is the better value, the **Lenovo** handheld excels at handling a variety of "battle conditions."