Gaming Handhelds Battle Royale: Lenovo Legion Go S vs. Steam Deck 2

Published on October 21, 2024

by Brenda Stolyar

Gaming handhelds have been all the rave in recent years, offering a way for gamers to take their favorite titles on the go. Two major players in this market are Lenovo with their Legion Go S and Steam with their newly announced Steam Deck 2. Both promising to provide gamers with the ultimate portable gaming experience, but which one comes out on top in this handheld battle royale? Let’s dive in and find out. Gaming Handhelds Battle Royale: Lenovo Legion Go S vs. Steam Deck 2

The Design and Display

Lenovo Legion Go S

The Lenovo Legion Go S boasts a sleek and compact design, perfect for on-the-go gaming. Its 7-inch OLED display offers sharp and vibrant visuals, making gameplay on this handheld a treat for the eyes. It also features a built-in kickstand at the back, allowing you to prop it up for a more comfortable gaming experience.

Steam Deck 2

The Steam Deck 2, on the other hand, sports a more traditional handheld design with a 7-inch LCD touchscreen. While not as visually stunning as the OLED display of the Legion Go S, it still offers crisp and clear graphics. One standout feature of this handheld is its analog sticks, which are placed closer to the edge for better ergonomics and control.

Overall, both gaming handhelds have their own unique designs, but the Legion Go S edges out with its OLED display and built-in kickstand.

Performance and Specs

Lenovo Legion Go S

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Legion Go S promises smooth and lag-free gameplay. It also has a 128GB internal storage, with an option to expand up to 1TB with a microSD card. The handheld runs on the Android operating system, giving gamers access to a wide range of games on the Google Play Store.

Steam Deck 2

The Steam Deck 2 packs a more powerful punch with its AMD Zen 2 processor and 16GB of RAM, making it capable of running even the most demanding PC games. It offers up to 512GB of internal storage, with the option to expand via NVMe SSD. The handheld runs on Valve’s own SteamOS operating system, giving gamers access to their entire Steam library on the go.

In terms of performance, the Steam Deck 2 takes the win with its beefier specs and the ability to play PC games on a handheld device.

Game Compatibility

Lenovo Legion Go S

As mentioned earlier, the Legion Go S runs on the Android operating system, which gives it access to a vast library of Android games. This means that it can play popular titles such as PUBG Mobile, Among Us, and Genshin Impact. However, there may be limitations for more graphically intense games due to hardware constraints.

Steam Deck 2

The Steam Deck 2’s SteamOS, on the other hand, allows it to play thousands of PC games, including AAA titles and indie games. With its beefy specs, the handheld can handle even the most graphically demanding games, giving gamers a true PC gaming experience in the palm of their hands.

In terms of game compatibility, the Steam Deck 2 undoubtedly has the upper hand with its access to a wider range of games and the ability to play PC titles.

The Price Tag

Lenovo Legion Go S

The Legion Go S is priced at $399, which is a reasonable price for a gaming handheld. You also get a decent set of specs and access to a wide range of Android games for that price.

Steam Deck 2

The Steam Deck 2, on the other hand, is priced at $649 for the base model and can go up to $799 for the top-tier version. While this may seem like a hefty price tag, keep in mind that you are getting a handheld that can play PC games. It’s essentially like getting a gaming laptop in the form of a handheld device.

In this category, the Lenovo Legion Go S wins for being more budget-friendly, but the Steam Deck 2 delivers more value for its price with its ability to play PC games.

The Verdict

Both the Lenovo Legion Go S and Steam Deck 2 are impressive gaming handhelds that offer unique features. The Legion Go S has a more compact design and access to Android games, while the Steam Deck 2 has more powerful specs and can play PC games. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference and budget. If you’re a casual gamer looking for a budget-friendly gaming handheld, the Legion Go S is a solid choice. But if you’re a hardcore gamer who wants a portable PC gaming experience, then the Steam Deck 2 is the way to go.

At the end of the day, no matter which handheld you choose, it’s clear that portable gaming has come a long way, and the future is looking bright for handheld gaming enthusiasts. So, which one will you pick in this gaming handhelds battle royale?