Lenovo Legion Go S: New $650 Gaming Handheld Features Ryzen Z2G CPU, 8-Inch Display, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD

The race to dominate the handheld gaming market is heating up, with Lenovo potentially set to introduce the Legion Go S, a budget-friendly contender. According to insider information from WinFuture, this device could be the first to harness AMD’s new Z2G APUs, which are expected to hit the market in 2025. Packed with features like a 120 Hz, 1080p display, a 512GB SSD, and a solid 16GB of RAM, the Legion Go S is generating quite the buzz.

Sporting the Ryzen Z2G—short for Z2 Go—this handheld relies on AMD’s Rembrandt architecture. It’s predicted to include eight Zen 3+ CPU cores and an RDNA 2 Integrated GPU with 12 Compute Units. While it may not boast all the advanced features of the latest Ryzen AI 300 (Strix Point) APUs or even the Phoenix models, the Z2G’s manufacturing cost is considerably lower, which should be reflected in retail pricing. Essentially, the Z2G is similar to AMD’s Ryzen 7 6800U, featuring 16MB of L3 cache—typical for AMD’s octa-core APUs—and 4MB of L2 cache. You might see a slight increase in clock speeds, currently sitting at 4.7 GHz, though it’s unlikely to drastically impact performance.

Additionally, the device comes with 16GB of soldered LPDDR5 memory and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD using the M.2 2242 form factor. Connectivity won’t be an issue with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 built-in. The handheld sports an 8-inch 1080p IPS display running at 120 Hz, which might leave some desiring the richness of an OLED screen. For comparison, while the Steam Deck OLED starts at $549, it packs in a slower APU, putting the balance between features and price into perspective.

The device houses a 55.5Wh battery, which is bigger than its predecessor, though the older architecture might limit battery life. However, through the Vantage app, users have the flexibility to set custom charging limits, which can help conserve the battery’s longevity by relying more on AC power when preferred.

However, there’s a catch: the report suggests that the Legion Go S features built-in controllers, which means aftermarket options won’t be compatible. It’s unclear if the joysticks and triggers use Hall Effect sensors, making the non-interchangeable controllers potentially less attractive to gaming enthusiasts. Initial pricing from European retailers puts it at about $650. Stripping out VAT suggests a $500 price tag, just $50 less than the original Legion Go, which packs a more powerful APU and better display.

The gaming community is eagerly anticipating its debut, likely next month at CES, alongside AMD’s broader Z2 lineup unveiling. As always, suggested retail pricing is tentative and could adjust before the official product launch.

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