When the fever pitch of portable gaming handhelds reached a new high with the emergence of Windows-based devices, few would have predicted how rapidly the segment would mature. ASUS’s ROG Ally made a thunderous debut, breaking away from the Steam Deck’s Linux roots and inviting AAA Windows titles to the palm of your hand. However, just a year later, the race intensified. Lenovo’s Legion Go S—available in both SteamOS and Windows 11 flavors—charges directly at the Ally’s lead, bringing refreshed hardware, expanded customization, and a truly competitive spirit. But how do these contenders actually fare when stripped down to their core value propositions? Are the “S-class” upgrades and design tweaks on the Legion Go S merely incremental, or does Lenovo finally have what it takes to topple ASUS from its perch as king of mainstream handheld PC gaming?
Price, Configurations, and Value: Sorting Fact from Hype
Competition always drives innovation and, just as importantly, pushes brands to be creative on price. The original ROG Ally burst onto the scene in 2023 as a disruptor, undercutting expected pricing for its hardware class. Now, with discontinued Z1 (non-Extreme) models popping up for under $400 at retailers, the Ally remains a strong value buy, especially during frequent sales and special events where prices are slashed by $100 or more.But Lenovo isn’t sitting still. The Legion Go S—particularly in its SteamOS configuration—hits shelves at a tantalizing $499.99 starting price, undercutting most new ROG Ally models. The Windows 11 versions, especially those loaded with the custom AMD Z2 Go chip, 32GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, can exceed $800, landing in direct competition with the new ROG Ally X and its boosted specs.
Curiously, Legion Go S pricing has seen upward fluctuation, reportedly due to US-China tariff shifts—an uncontrollable economic force. Nevertheless, for shoppers in 2025, the pricing ladder looks like this:
| Handheld | Base Price (as of May 2025) | Top Spec Price | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legion Go S (SteamOS, Z2 Go) | $499.99 | N/A | Most affordable new option |
| Legion Go S (Windows, Z2 Go, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) | $829.99 | $829.99 | High-end configuration |
| ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme, 16GB, 512GB) | $649.99 | N/A | Base for Z1 Extreme |
| ROG Ally X (Z1 Extreme, 24GB, 1TB) | $899.99 | $899.99 | Refreshed design, larger battery |
Under the Hood: Performance and Platform Maturity
In the world of portable gaming PCs, chipsets are the beating heart. ASUS’s ROG Ally first leveraged AMD’s Z1 and Z1 Extreme silicon—chips born from a collaboration with AMD to bring RDNA3 graphics and Zen 4 CPU cores to the smallest form factor. Performance reviews confirm that the Z1 Extreme provides stable gameplay in most AAA titles, when tuned correctly, with impressive results for a device this portable.Lenovo’s Legion Go S swings for the fences with a custom Z2 Go chip. While marketing claims tout better power efficiency versus Z1 Extreme, real-world testing (including those by independent reviewers and Windows Central’s own benchmarks) consistently shows that the Z1 Extreme remains the winner—especially in sustained, demanding scenarios. The Z2 Go isn’t found in other devices and, while unique, doesn't currently surpass the Z1 Extreme in performance metrics or compatibility .
Interestingly, the Legion Go S can be outfitted with either the Z2 Go or the Z1 Extreme chip, making it flexible. However, potential buyers need to be cautious: Z2 Go models may fall behind in raw gaming performance and possibly face software optimization lags, given their niche exclusivity.
Memory and storage are less contentious: Legion Go S can ship with up to 32GB RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, double the RAM and storage of the base ROG Ally. This gives the Lenovo a certain future-proofing edge, e.g., for heavy multitasking, emulation, or storing a larger game library onboard.
The Bottom Line: When it comes to pure gaming horsepower, ROG Ally (especially the Z1 Extreme variant) wins out. Legion Go S reinserts itself into the conversation by offering higher RAM and bigger SSD options, but unless running memory-heavy applications, most gamers will see the best performance on the ASUS platform.
Display, Visual Experience, and Motion Clarity
Screens make or break the experience on a handheld, and here’s where Lenovo’s ambitions show. The Legion Go S boasts a substantial 8-inch, 16:10 LCD touchscreen, supporting a WQXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution, variable refresh rate (VRR), up to 120Hz, and a claimed 97% DCI-P3 color coverage. However, reviewer-measured results indicate a somewhat lower 78% P3 coverage—an excellent figure, but slightly shy of marketing promises.ASUS counters with a 7-inch, 16:9 IPS LED panel boasting 1920 x 1080 resolution, VRR, 120Hz refresh, and 73% P3 color output. Both displays reach a max brightness of 500 nits, perform admirably indoors and out, and support native landscape orientation.
What shakes out is the following:
- Legion Go S: Larger screen, superior (albeit slightly less than claimed) color gamut, 16:10 aspect ratio for productivity/emulator use, true VRR support.
- ROG Ally: Smaller but still vibrant, slightly narrower color range, but with the advantage of established driver support and calibration from ASUS.
Ergonomics, Controls, and I/O: Where Design Meets Function
Consumer feedback on the original Legion Go was mixed, with criticism focused on its blocky chassis and button layout. The Go S addresses that history: its chassis is now more rounded, grips are textured and thick for palm comfort, and the entire body is noticeably ergonomic.Key design advantages for the Legion Go S include:
- Hall Effect joysticks: These use non-contact sensors, so they’re immune to drift—a notorious issue for older analog sticks.
- Integrated touchpad: A small but functional touchpad beneath the right stick offers improved precision navigation in Windows or SteamOS, a rare feature in this class.
- Adjustable trigger switches: For fine-tuned input, especially in racing or shooting titles.
- Dual USB4 ports: The real headline—being able to power the device and connect an accessory/dock simultaneously is a significant usability upgrade.
- Fingerprint reader: For secure and swift login, although reliability is mixed.
- Key customization (Armoury Crate software): Deeper control over button mapping and hardware settings.
- ROG XG Mobile interface: For those seeking desktop-class GPU dock performance, though this is niche.
Battery Life: Endurance on the Go—or Not
If there’s one Achilles’ heel in the Windows handheld arena, it’s battery life. Review after review agrees: when pushing max performance (high TDP, full brightness, high refresh), few devices last more than an hour—often far less.- ROG Ally OG: 40 Whr, typically 40–60 minutes of AAA gaming.
- Legion Go S: 55.5 Whr battery, may eke out about 90 minutes—roughly 30 minutes more than the Ally, per hands-on tests.
- ROG Ally X: A game-changer with a 2-hour+ runtime in demanding conditions, but also larger, heavier, and pricier.
Software, Usability, and Gaming Libraries
The Steam Deck’s biggest contribution was proving that Linux-based gaming (SteamOS) can be seamless. Following this, Lenovo’s Legion Go S launches with both SteamOS and Windows 11 options. The former is perfect for “console-like” simplicity and immediate access to your Steam library. The latter—especially valued by tinkerers and those with vast third-party libraries—offers ultimate flexibility but at the cost of bloat, configuration quirks, and frequent troubleshooting.- SteamOS Legion Go S: Elegant, fast, limited out-of-the-box to Steam (but extensible to other stores with tweaks). Intuitive for newcomers.
- Windows 11 Legion Go S / ROG Ally: A true PC—runs anything, but some gaming launchers and UIs aren’t optimized for touch or small screens yet. Expect to juggle drivers, pop-ups, and system updates.
AMD Software (Adrenalin) is available regardless of platform and is essential for features like Anti-Lag, AMD Fluid Motion Frames, and further optimizations.
Accessories and Market Ecosystem
Given its longer market tenure, the ASUS ROG Ally benefits from a much broader accessories market—cases, grips, docking stations, screen protectors, and more are easy to find and often discounted. Lenovo’s Legion Go accessory ecosystem is growing but can be harder to source or pricier, due to limited distribution.This may tip the scales for those who want instant access to quality-of-life improvements without hunting for specialty gear or paying premium import fees.
Durability, Build Quality, and Repairability
As portable electronics go, both the Legion Go S and ROG Ally feature robust construction. Reviewers praise the Go S’s improved shell and textured grip. The ROG Ally continues to impress with its minimal body flex, though reports of stick drift (albeit not widespread) and finicky fingerprint readers persist.Self-servicing is theoretically possible for both, but the Ally’s maturity ensures a wider range of replacement parts and tutorials. Lenovo’s design is newer, with Hall Effect joysticks reducing a major wear point for many heavy gamers.
Potential Risks and Notable Weaknesses
- Z2 Go Exclusivity: Being a bespoke chip, software quirks and long-term support are uncertain. Community resources may be slower to materialize; game developers may not optimize specifically for this silicon.
- Battery Hype vs. Reality: Marketing numbers always look better than real-world results. No configuration here gets even close to a true “all-day” gaming session away from the plug.
- Software Complexity: Windows 11 on a 7-8 inch touchscreen is still, for many, awkward and cumbersome. Legion Go S (Windows) and ROG Ally are not for those seeking pure console ease.
- Price Creep: With tariffs and complex global supply chains, prices on these handhelds—especially the higher-end configurations—are fluid and could rise further. Watch for sales or consider less mainstream devices if budget is paramount.
- Ecosystem and Support: As Lenovo ramps up in this niche, accessories, community troubleshooting, and long-term driver support are unproven compared to ASUS’s established ROG franchise.
Head-to-Head: Quick Reference Table
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Legion Go S (SteamOS) / ROG Ally | Cheapest new / Best value on sale |
| Performance | ROG Ally Z1 Extreme | Superior sustained gaming |
| Display | Legion Go S | Bigger, more color-accurate |
| Controls & Ports | Legion Go S | Hall sticks, touchpad, USB4 |
| Software/Ease | ROG Ally / Legion Go S (SteamOS) | Best customizability / Easiest to use |
| Battery Life | Legion Go S / ROG Ally X | Marginally longer / Greatly improved |
| Ergonomics | Legion Go S | More comfortable, no awkward buttons |
| Accessories | ROG Ally | Wider, more mature selection |
Final Verdict: Making the Right Choice for Your Gaming Needs
Both the Legion Go S and ROG Ally represent the cutting edge of the handheld PC gaming revolution. Neither is a perfect device; rather, each brings its own blend of strengths, quirks, and compromises.Consider the Legion Go S if you:
- Want the most affordable entry point (SteamOS version).
- Prefer a bigger display and crave a fully ergonomic, comfortable grip.
- Value drift-proof Hall Effect sticks and richer port selection for docks and peripherals.
- Need 32GB RAM or a 1TB SSD for multitasking and game hoarding.
- Demand absolute peak performance and frame rates in the latest Windows games.
- Desire a wider and deeper accessory ecosystem, or plan to customize extensively.
- Find frequent sale pricing that undercuts competition.
- Want better software support and customization options.
Key Takeaway
Portable PC gaming is no longer a curiosity—it’s a booming, rapidly evolving marketplace. The Legion Go S and ROG Ally embody two approaches: one fixated on maximizing comfort, flexibility, and media consumption; the other on delivering raw, reliable performance and plug-and-play accessories.Consumers should always cross-check specs and real-world reviews—especially regarding battery, performance, and software quirks—before purchase, as hype sometimes outpaces reality. But whichever you choose, it’s remarkable: handheld gaming in 2025 means no compromise on AAA experiences, just trade-offs in ergonomics and endurance.
In a market that’s growing more competitive by the month, that’s a win for every gamer, everywhere.
Source: Windows Central Here's how the new Legion Go S compares to the original ROG Ally gaming handheld
