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

The handheld gaming market is getting more interesting with rumors swirling about Lenovo potentially introducing a cost-effective Legion Go S soon. Based on insights from WinFuture, this new device might be the first handheld featuring AMD’s upcoming Z2G APUs—set to make their debut in 2025—alongside a vibrant 120 Hz 1080p screen, 512GB of SSD storage, and 16GB of RAM.

The Z2G, which stands for Z2 Go, is said to be built on AMD’s Rembrandt architecture. It boasts eight Zen 3+ CPU cores coupled with an RDNA 2 integrated GPU that includes 12 Compute Units. While it doesn’t pack all the advanced features of AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 300 (Strix Point) APUs—or even the Phoenix series—this processor is more affordable to produce, which should help keep the retail price down. Delving into specifics, the Z2G closely resembles AMD’s Ryzen 7 6800U, featuring 16MB of L3 cache, a staple for AMD’s octa-core offerings, and 4MB of L2 cache. Though there might be a minor increase in clock speeds from the current 4.7 GHz, don’t anticipate a major leap in performance.

Lenovo’s Legion Go S is expected to come equipped with 16GB of soldered LPDDR5 RAM and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD in the compact M.2 2242 form factor. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring you’re connected. Its display is an 8-inch 1080p IPS panel that operates at 120 Hz, which might not deliver the deep blacks or vivid colors of an OLED screen. For comparison, the Steam Deck OLED starts at $549 but comes with a less powerful APU, showing you trade-offs are inevitable.

The Legion Go S will reportedly have a 55.5Wh battery, a modest improvement over its predecessor, although the older architecture might hamper battery life. However, users can utilize the Vantage app to set custom charging thresholds, allowing the device to run on AC power to help extend battery longevity.

One downside is that the Legion Go S is said to feature integrated controllers, which means aftermarket custom controllers won’t be compatible. It’s unclear whether the joysticks and triggers use Hall Effect technology, and the inability to customize could be a letdown for some enthusiasts. European retailers have indicated an initial price of $650. Without VAT, that’s around $500—just $50 less than the original Legion Go, which offers better performance and display quality.

We’re likely to see more of the Lenovo Legion Go S next month at CES, where AMD is anticipated to unveil its Z2 APUs alongside other products. Keep in mind that the final retail price may fluctuate and could potentially be lower when the handheld officially hits the market.