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[Verge] Lenovo’s second SteamOS handheld is the Legion Go 2

Topher

Topher

Identifies as young

It's set to launch in June.


One year ago, Lenovo became the first company besides Valve to announce a handheld with SteamOS instead of Windows. The result was the Legion Go S with SteamOS; no Steam Deck killer due to price and battery life, but a big step forward in performance and pick-up-and-play portability.

Now, Lenovo's doing it again — it's bringing SteamOS to the Legion Go 2, its flagship handheld with detachable Nintendo Switch-like controllers and the most advanced screen in a handheld yet. Lenovo plans to begin selling a SteamOS version in June starting at $1,199, the company just announced at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Specs are otherwise the same.

Yes, that is quite the price tag and quite the wait before it arrives! Lenovo already launched the Windows version of this handheld at the end of October, so it'll already be seven-to-eight months old by the time SteamOS debuts. (With the Legion Go S, the Windows version only had a three-month head start.)

By then, it's possible we'll have handhelds with more powerful Intel Panther Lake chips — we've already seen Intel's existing Lunar Lake offering better performance in some games than the Legion Go 2's AMD Z2 Extreme can offer.

But simply switching from Windows to SteamOS can offer a notable performance boost, too, and the Legion Go 2 isn't just premium because of an AMD chip. As of this writing, it's the only handheld on the market with a variable-refresh-rate OLED screen to make games look amazing and one of the few that doubles as a tablet, with an excellent integrated kickstand and comfortable sculpted detachable wireless controllers for tray table play. There's even an FPS mouse built into one of those controllers, with a snap-on puck to let it glide smoothly across a table.

I called the original Legion Go "the Swiss Army knife of handhelds," and my time with the Legion Go 2 is much the same. I still find the newer Legion Go 2 a bit heavy and awkward with all the extra mouse buttons beneath my fingers as I grip, but there's no denying its versatility. Speaking of which: you can already load Bazzite onto a Legion Go 2 if you want a preview of SteamOS there. Everything seems to work, including the detachable controllers and RGB lighting.

Lenovo's also prepping the Legion Go 2 for Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience for Windows 11; it's already possible to force-install it there, but last we heard it should officially arrive this spring.


image-5-1024x904.png
 
Even as a high earner I'm getting priced out of this hobby
 
jshackles said:
Even as a high earner I'm getting priced out of this hobby
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It's officially reached "i'm good where I'm at" prices

I got a new job after being DOGED that netted me a 35K raise after being unemployed since March and even then I keep going "man, maybe I'll just add that to my retirement account or vacation fund instead"
 
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Topher said:

It's set to launch in June.


One year ago, Lenovo became the first company besides Valve to announce a handheld with SteamOS instead of Windows. The result was the Legion Go S with SteamOS; no Steam Deck killer due to price and battery life, but a big step forward in performance and pick-up-and-play portability.

Now, Lenovo's doing it again — it's bringing SteamOS to the Legion Go 2, its flagship handheld with detachable Nintendo Switch-like controllers and the most advanced screen in a handheld yet. Lenovo plans to begin selling a SteamOS version in June starting at $1,199, the company just announced at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. Specs are otherwise the same.

Yes, that is quite the price tag and quite the wait before it arrives! Lenovo already launched the Windows version of this handheld at the end of October, so it'll already be seven-to-eight months old by the time SteamOS debuts. (With the Legion Go S, the Windows version only had a three-month head start.)

By then, it's possible we'll have handhelds with more powerful Intel Panther Lake chips — we've already seen Intel's existing Lunar Lake offering better performance in some games than the Legion Go 2's AMD Z2 Extreme can offer.

But simply switching from Windows to SteamOS can offer a notable performance boost, too, and the Legion Go 2 isn't just premium because of an AMD chip. As of this writing, it's the only handheld on the market with a variable-refresh-rate OLED screen to make games look amazing and one of the few that doubles as a tablet, with an excellent integrated kickstand and comfortable sculpted detachable wireless controllers for tray table play. There's even an FPS mouse built into one of those controllers, with a snap-on puck to let it glide smoothly across a table.

I called the original Legion Go "the Swiss Army knife of handhelds," and my time with the Legion Go 2 is much the same. I still find the newer Legion Go 2 a bit heavy and awkward with all the extra mouse buttons beneath my fingers as I grip, but there's no denying its versatility. Speaking of which: you can already load Bazzite onto a Legion Go 2 if you want a preview of SteamOS there. Everything seems to work, including the detachable controllers and RGB lighting.

Lenovo's also prepping the Legion Go 2 for Microsoft's Xbox Full Screen Experience for Windows 11; it's already possible to force-install it there, but last we heard it should officially arrive this spring.


image-5-1024x904.png
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Great to see more devices getting SteamOS support.

Hoping the Legion Go S 2 inherits that beautiful screen but at a more sensible price ...but I think we're fucked when it comes to tech pricing for the rest of 2026. 💸
 
I would love to have a gaming handheld with an oled screen that big, but not at that price. Considering that is the US price, I really don't wanna know the Canadian price.
 
Nice to see more SteamOS support, but all these handhelds are going too far in the cost direction for not enough horsepower uplift vs battery life.

OG LCD Steam Deck still feels enough for me. I'll buy a new one when there is a generational uplift, and then get the OLED improvement too.

Maybe Intel can surprise us with their new chips.
 
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I'm good with my Legion Go S SteamOS until some truly next gen stuff comes out.

Then again, if I'll be able to afford it…
 
Just installed steam OS on the first Legion device...vastly improved basically everything about the device in terms of performance. Also snagged a great open box deal on the new legion go s...a mark ass mark I may be but for >$1000 and its a year old handheld they can keep that mess.
 
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Windows version start at $1099? This one starts at $1199. Is this due to the DRAM prices or the fact that it's lower volume product?

I wonder if Lenovo has released info on which variant sells more.
 
Tobimacoss said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Windows version start at $1099? This one starts at $1199. Is this due to the DRAM prices or the fact that it's lower volume product?

I wonder if Lenovo has released info on which variant sells more.
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Yes, this is a bizarre choice considering you can easily install Steam OS right now , it's just software, there is no magic.

I was waiting for this announcement to see if this changes things but no - you shouldn't go for Z2E version IMO, nor the base version at 999€. 100€ extra gives you 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD and a Z2 chip (not a Z2 Go). This is a good value proposition.
 
Tobimacoss said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Windows version start at $1099? This one starts at $1199. Is this due to the DRAM prices or the fact that it's lower volume product?

I wonder if Lenovo has released info on which variant sells more.
Click to expand...

Price bump incoming I'd say
 
Cyberpunkd said:
Yes, this is a bizarre choice considering you can easily install Steam OS right now , it's just software, there is no magic.

I was waiting for this announcement to see if this changes things but no - you shouldn't go for Z2E version IMO, nor the base version at 999€. 100€ extra gives you 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD and a Z2 chip (not a Z2 Go). This is a good value proposition.
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The Z2 is practically the same as Z1E. Even the $1450 Z2E SKU (after the price increase) has no NPU, which MS is supposed to show off its use for AutoSR this month.

Topher said:
Price bump incoming I'd say
Click to expand...
Most likely.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
Yes, this is a bizarre choice considering you can easily install Steam OS right now , it's just software, there is no magic.

I was waiting for this announcement to see if this changes things but no - you shouldn't go for Z2E version IMO, nor the base version at 999€. 100€ extra gives you 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD and a Z2 chip (not a Z2 Go). This is a good value proposition.
Click to expand...

Tobimacoss said:
The Z2 is practically the same as Z1E. Even the $1450 Z2E SKU (after the price increase) has no NPU, which MS is supposed to show off its use for AutoSR this month.


Most likely.
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Dk7F7DrUfzwrXire.png


 
Tobimacoss said:
The Z2 is practically the same as Z1E. Even the $1450 Z2E SKU (after the price increase) has no NPU, which MS is supposed to show off its use for AutoSR this month.
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I guess in the US you can get great open box deals but not in the EU. Legion Go S has great ergonomics but the 32GB/1TB version cannot be found below 900€, and that's without OLED and with pathetic 55Wh battery, which means even with SteamOS playing with a charger is mandatory. A better deals is really the 1099€ Go 2 with a config I described. For 200€ you are adding:

Larger screen
OLED
+50% battery
 
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My og ROG Ally has been an amazing purchase in hindsight at its launch price. Seeing how every new device is barely faster but much more expensive, I'm happy I just installed a bigger battery and I'm probably fine until we get some serious GPU upgrades.
 
balls of snow said:
The screen is absolutely worth the price.
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Yes, it's a damn shame every console needs to make compromises except SD OLED, but I would rather take big and chunky with this screen than Legion Go S ergonomics with IPS and shit battery.
Goalus said:
Can I install Windows on it?
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If I understand correctly this will be a different situation than Go S - Windows and SteamOS will come preinstalled on separate partitions? If not - yes, of course you can, for years now Windows is nothing else than a product key, you can make a bootable drive, install Windows from there and activate the OS via a product key.
 
Gaming on local hardware is fucked, like "they" want it, this is the push "they" want for the cloud and streaming. 1200 dollars for a handheld? fuck that.
 
Pedro Motta said:
Gaming on local hardware is fucked, like "they" want it, this is the push "they" want for the cloud and streaming. 1200 dollars for a handheld? fuck that.
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If this is your only gaming device a few years of cheaper games plus free online probably makes it even with a console, not to mention portability always sells at a premium.
 
The Z2E handhelds haven't interested me at all yet, it's possible the Intel powered handhelds with XE3 graphics later this year might be the way to go. Z2E still being stuck on RDNA3.5 was disappointing.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
If I understand correctly this will be a different situation than Go S - Windows and SteamOS will come preinstalled on separate partitions? If not - yes, of course you can, for years now Windows is nothing else than a product key, you can make a bootable drive, install Windows from there and activate the OS via a product key.
Click to expand...
You don't even need a product key to activate Windows these days. I think they still put a watermark somewhere, but fuck if I know where it is.

Valve just needs to release official joystick drivers for windows or at least make steam input not require steam.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
Fuck it, got base Z2 with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD. Looks it will take 4-5 weeks to fulfill (if ever lol). Will report back.
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I own the Z2 Extreme Legion Go 2 with Bazzite installed, and let me tell you I have not turned on my 4090 PC in over a month, the screen on the Go 2 is just spectacular, and it runs anything I throw at it, being anywhere you want. You won't regret it.

Can't wait to actually install SteamOS with official support on the LeGo 2 though, I don't really like Bazzite's backend compared to SteamOS.
 
Tunned said:
I own the Z2 Extreme Legion Go 2 with Bazzite installed, and let me tell you I have not turned on my 4090 PC in over a month, the screen on the Go 2 is just spectacular, and it runs anything I throw at it, being anywhere you want. You won't regret it.

Can't wait to actually install SteamOS with official support on the LeGo 2 though, I don't really like Bazzite's backend compared to SteamOS.
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I was hesitating, but at the end I am fine with 30FPS, I'm not fine with 30FPS on Lowest detail with FSR (Oblivion Remastered). I was thinking about buying a Steam Machine but this is one extra set of cables, etc., and SD showed that even if I had a console before (XSX, PS5) I was just not using it, there is something in a portable factor that makes me willing to game much more.
Then I was thinking about the weight, but I never play with my arms stretched out, the Deck rests frequently on my lap, so this is a non issue.
I am not willing to compromise on the OLED, so here we are. I remember Vita was 249€ lol.
 
Even with that price I'd buy it. Just one teeny problem. The thing weighs way too much for a handheld. Arm strain is real with a device like that.
 
I kinda want it to play ff VII trilogy and the next persona 4 revival, but it looks so big and heavy, and ridiculously expensive.

I have legion go S and it is a perfect size for 2-3 hours session, but the speaker leaves a lot to be desired, and well, for big games like detroit become human the loading times can be infuriating. I hope these products are successful enough so lenovo can bring legion go S2.
 
Cyberpunkd said:
I was hesitating, but at the end I am fine with 30FPS, I'm not fine with 30FPS on Lowest detail with FSR (Oblivion Remastered). I was thinking about buying a Steam Machine but this is one extra set of cables, etc., and SD showed that even if I had a console before (XSX, PS5) I was just not using it, there is something in a portable factor that makes me willing to game much more.
Then I was thinking about the weight, but I never play with my arms stretched out, the Deck rests frequently on my lap, so this is a non issue.
I am not willing to compromise on the OLED, so here we are. I remember Vita was 249€ lol.
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Unlike with the SD (I still have my SD OLED), with the LeGo 2 you have to compromise with 30fps much less. Don't forget you have up to 37W to play with compared to the Deck's 15W, and a 144hz VRR glorious OLED display.
For example I am playing No Rest for the Wicked on the LeGo 2 at medium/high settings, 25W, injected DLSS FSR 4.0 set to Performance and Frame Gen set to x2... I am getting over 100fps most of the time and the game looks glorious! No way would the SD ever be able to pull that off.

And even if you do need to lock a game at 30 fps, the screen's high refresh rate makes it seem smoother.
I spent a crap load on the Legion Go 2, but for me it was wroth every penny, and although the SD OLED is still brilliant, times have moved on and there are much better alternatives.
 
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Got the package, turnaround 12 days. I will post detailed impressions later but it is way lighter and less chunky than YouTube bullshit would have you believe. The case is almost exactly the same dimensions as that for the Steam Deck.
 
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Tunned said:
Unlike with the SD (I still have my SD OLED), with the LeGo 2 you have to compromise with 30fps much less. Don't forget you have up to 37W to play with compared to the Deck's 15W, and a 144hz VRR glorious OLED display.
For example I am playing No Rest for the Wicked on the LeGo 2 at medium/high settings, 25W, injected DLSS 4.0 set to Performance and Frame Gen set to x2... I am getting over 100fps most of the time and the game looks glorious! No way would the SD ever be able to pull that off.

And even if you do need to lock a game at 30 fps, the screen's high refresh rate makes it seem smoother.
I spent a crap load on the Legion Go 2, but for me it was wroth every penny, and although the SD OLED is still brilliant, times have moved on and there are much better alternatives.
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Wait, how are you utilizing DLSS 4.0 on AMD's Z2E chipset?

Are you talking about FSR 4 and AMD's frame gen?
 
Initial Windows update done, then updated all the drivers everywhere and reinstalled graphics driver. 2 hours easily, then virtual keyboard refused to pop up for the PIN code lol.

Getting 1.3Gbit/s Steam downloads lol Never had that on Steam Deck.
 
Ok, quick impressions after playing with it for a few hours:

1. Screen size and weight are not a problem, but one has to get used to the size of the controllers that fit the screen - they are on the larger side
2. The system definitely requires some learnings, primarily where everything is as well as changing the crucial settings - nothing extraordinary if you are used to Windows, but for someone used to console experience of SteamOS this will be a shocker
3. Unfortunately there are so many confusing options, including AMD RSR, if a game doesn't handle FSR, but I think this is the case on SteamOS as well, just labelled as "Sharpening" - I have never, ever used this option there so I can't really complain now lol

Let me know if you have any questions
 
Panajev2001a said:
You know this is placebo though right ;)?
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I don't know about locked FPS , but I set up the console a bit more and also got the performance overlay working. I see Oblivion doing around 40FPS and there is absolutely no doubt it's smoother thanks to VRR.
 
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I know handhelds are typically going to be expensive and with hardware being expensive, are these devices worth it at $1k+? These things seem to be getting crazy and I am too worried about dropping $1k on these things for them to get terrible battery within a couple of years and there being something even better. It's just a lot of bread to drop but I do tend to agree that playing handheld as a dad right now is just way easier than playing on a console in another room.
 
FudgeIt said:
I know handhelds are typically going to be expensive and with hardware being expensive, are these devices worth it at $1k+? These things seem to be getting crazy and I am too worried about dropping $1k on these things for them to get terrible battery within a couple of years and there being something even better. It's just a lot of bread to drop but I do tend to agree that playing handheld as a dad right now is just way easier than playing on a console in another room.
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I don't have a gaming PC, nor do I want one
I don't have a console, nor do I want one

So for me dropping 1099€ on this makes sense, even more so if I will get 350-400€ from selling my SD OLED.

Actually 1099€ for 8.8" OLED 144Hz VRR screen I get, I have no idea by Xbox Ally X costs 899€ though
 
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Cyberpunkd said:
I don't have a gaming PC, nor do I want one
I don't have a console, nor do I want one

So for me dropping 1099€ on this makes sense, even more so if I will get 350-400€ from selling my SD OLED.

Actually 1099€ for 8.8" OLED 144Hz VRR screen I get, I have no idea by Xbox Ally X costs 899€ though
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May I ask why you don't want a dedicated console or TV or monitor setup?
 
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