The handheld gaming war has officially entered its next phase, and Lenovo just dropped a device that might rewrite the rules for budget portability. While the industry has been obsessed with raw power—typified by the beastly (and expensive) Legion Go 2—the newly released Lenovo Legion Go S takes a different path. It isn't trying to be the fastest portable PC on the market. Instead, it aims to be the one you actually want to hold for hours. After a week of testing, I can confidently say: this might be the best budget handheld gaming 2026 has to offer, provided you know its limits.

Design and Comfort: A Streamlined Triumph

Gone are the detachable "TrueStrike" controllers and the hefty, angular bulk of the original model. The Lenovo Legion Go S review units showcase a sleek, unibody chassis that feels remarkably cohesive. Clad in a striking "Glacier White" finish, the device weighs in at approximately 740g—noticeably lighter than its predecessor. The decision to ditch the kickstand and detachable mechanism has resulted in a chassis that feels solid, with no creaking or flex.

In the hands, the difference is night and day. The ergonomic curves have been refined, and the weight distribution is centered, making it far less fatiguing during marathon sessions of Hades II or Silksong. While it lacks the modularity of the flagship models, the trade-off for this level of comfort is one I suspect most travelers will happily make. It fits into a backpack far easier than the hulking Legion Go 2, cementing its status as a premier piece of portable PC gaming hardware.

Display: 120Hz VRR on a Budget

Lenovo has equipped the Go S with an 8-inch IPS panel running at 1920 x 1200 resolution. While some might lament the lack of OLED (a feature reserved for the premium tier), this screen is a stunner for the price point. It hits 500 nits of brightness, making outdoor play viable, but the real star is the 120Hz refresh rate with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support.

VRR is a game-changer for affordable gaming handhelds. Since the budget-focused AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip won't always hit a locked 60 FPS in demanding titles, VRR smooths out the dips, making frame rates between 40 and 50 feel incredibly fluid. Colors are punchy, and the 16:10 aspect ratio remains ideal for both modern gaming and retro emulation.

Performance: The Ryzen Z2 Go Compromise

Let's talk specs. The Legion Go S is powered by the new AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This is an efficiency-first chip, distinct from the raw horsepower found in the Lenovo Legion Go 2 specs. If you're expecting to run Cyberpunk 2077 at Ultra settings, look elsewhere.

However, for its target audience, the performance is spot on. I found the Go S chewed through indie titles and older AAA games with ease. At 1200p, games like Dead Cells run at a locked 120 FPS. For heavier titles, dropping the resolution to 800p and utilizing FSR 4.0 upscaling delivers a respectable experience. It’s a deliberate step back from the bleeding edge, but it keeps the price—and the thermals—in check.

Legion Go S Battery Life: Finally, True Portability

The Achilles' heel of the original Legion Go was its battery life. Lenovo has addressed this head-on. The Legion Go S battery life is significantly improved, thanks to a combination of the efficient Z2 Go chip and a 55.5Whr battery. In my testing, I squeezed out nearly 4 hours of gameplay on medium-load titles—a massive leap over the 90-minute lifespan of the 2024 generation.

For media consumption, it's even better, lasting upwards of 8 hours for streaming video. This efficiency makes it a genuine travel companion rather than a device that remains tethered to a wall outlet.

Legion Go S vs Nintendo Switch 2: The Battle for Your Backpack

The inevitable comparison is here: Legion Go S vs Nintendo Switch 2. Both devices launched with similar pricing structures (around the $449-$499 mark), but they serve different masters. The Switch 2 remains the king of exclusives and simplicity, offering a frictionless "pick up and play" experience with Nintendo's legendary first-party library.

However, the Legion Go S offers something the Switch cannot: freedom. With the option to choose between Windows 11 or the newly supported third-party SteamOS, the Go S grants access to your entire Steam, Epic, and Xbox Game Pass library. If you value a deep backlog of PC games and emulation capabilities over Mario Kart, the Legion Go S is the clear winner. It’s a more versatile machine, effectively functioning as a mini-PC when docked.

Verdict: The Smart Budget Choice

The Lenovo Legion Go S isn't the most powerful handheld of 2026, but it might be the smartest. By focusing on ergonomics, screen quality, and battery efficiency, Lenovo has created a device that fixes the daily frustrations of portable gaming. It’s a polished, comfortable, and capable machine that hits the sweet spot for price and performance. For gamers who want PC quality on the go without the premium tax, the Legion Go S is the new standard to beat.