Lenovo Legion Go & Steam Deck share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Lenovo Legion Go rather than the Steam Deck.
Why Do I Recommend The Lenovo Legion Go?
- The Lenovo Legion Go S features an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go APU with Zen 3 cores for faster clock speeds and improved per-core performance in modern games, whereas the Steam Deck uses a custom AMD Zen 2 APU with lower clock speeds.
- Lenovo Legion Go S comes with 32 GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM for smoother multitasking and better handling of large open-world games, while the Steam Deck uses 16 GB of LPDDR5-5500 or LPDDR5-6500 RAM.
- It has an 8-inch 1920×1200 display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for more responsive gameplay and smoother visuals, whereas the Steam Deck uses a 7-inch 1280×800 LCD display with 60 Hz refresh rate.
- The Lenovo Legion Go S supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for reducing screen tearing and maintaining smooth frame pacing in fluctuating framerates, while the Steam Deck does not support VRR.
- Lenovo Legion Go S reaches up to 500 nits brightness for better outdoor visibility and improved image clarity in bright environments, whereas the Steam Deck peaks at around 400 nits brightness.
- It includes a larger 55.5 Wh battery for potentially longer gaming sessions at moderate settings, while the Steam Deck uses a smaller 40 Wh battery.
- The Lenovo Legion Go S is thinner at around 0.88 inches for improved portability and comfort in handheld use, whereas the Steam Deck is thicker at around 1.9 inches.
- Lenovo Legion Go S features a more powerful RDNA 2 GPU with up to 12 compute units at higher clock speeds for better rendering performance in demanding games, while the Steam Deck’s RDNA 2 GPU has 8 compute units at lower clock speeds.
Maybe the Steam Deck price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Lenovo Legion Go. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | Lenovo Legion Go | Steam Deck |
| CPU (APU) | AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, up to ~4.3 GHz | Custom AMD Zen 2 APU, up to ~3.5 GHz |
| GPU | Radeon 680M (RDNA 2), up to ~2.2 GHz, 12 CUs | RDNA 2 GPU, up to ~1.6 GHz, 8 CUs |
| RAM | 32 GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 16 GB LPDDR5-5500 (LCD) or LPDDR5-6500 |
| Display Size & Type | 8″ display | 7″ (LCD) or 7.4″ |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | Yes | No |
| Brightness (max) | 500 nits | 400 nits |
| Battery Capacity | ~55.5 Wh | 40 Wh (LCD) / 50 Wh |
| Weight | ~1.62 lb | ~1.47 lb (LCD), ~1.41 lb |
| Thickness | ~0.88 inches | ~1.9 inches |
| Operating Systems Available | Windows 11; SteamOS version coming | SteamOS only |
| Price | Check Lenovo Legion Go Price | Check Steam Deck Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- AMD APU Architecture: Both devices use an AMD x86 APU, combining CPU and Radeon GPU in one chip for efficient performance and compact design.
- Integrated Radeon Graphics: Each model includes an AMD Radeon integrated GPU, delivering capable 3D graphics for handheld gaming.
- LPDDR5-Class Memory: Both feature LPDDR5-class soldered memory, ensuring high bandwidth and low latency for smoother gameplay.
- NVMe SSD Storage: Each handheld uses an NVMe SSD for fast load times and quick game installations.
- Expandable Storage: Both include a microSD card slot, allowing easy expansion for larger game libraries.
- 16:10 Touchscreen Display: Each device has a 16:10 aspect ratio touchscreen, providing extra vertical space and intuitive touch input.
- Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity: Both support Wi-Fi 6E, offering faster wireless speeds and reduced latency in supported networks.
- Bluetooth 5.3 Support: Each model features Bluetooth 5.3 for stable connections with wireless peripherals and audio devices.
- 3.5 mm Audio Jack: Both have a 3.5 mm combo jack, enabling wired headphone and headset use.
- USB-C Display Output: Each handheld supports DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, allowing external monitor connections.
- USB Power Delivery 3.0: Both use USB PD 3.0 for charging, supporting fast and efficient power delivery.
- Stereo Speakers: Each model includes stereo speakers for immersive on-device audio.
- Dual Microphones: Both feature a dual-mic array, improving voice clarity during chats and streaming.
- Ambient Light Sensor: Each device has an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness automatically.
- Motion Sensors: Both incorporate 6-axis motion sensors, enabling motion-based controls in compatible games.
- External Display Support: Each supports external display output for docked or desktop-style gaming.
- Docking Compatibility: Both work with USB-C docks, allowing connection to multiple peripherals and charging simultaneously.
- Standard Gamepad Layout: Each model uses a familiar ABXY, D-pad, analog sticks, triggers, and bumpers layout for intuitive control.
- Steam Game Library Access: Both can run Steam titles, giving access to a vast PC gaming ecosystem.
- SteamOS Availability: Each has a SteamOS configuration, providing a gaming-optimized Linux environment.
Common Features
| Feature | Lenovo Legion Go | Steam Deck |
| Processor class | AMD x86 APU | AMD x86 APU |
| Integrated graphics | AMD Radeon integrated GPU | AMD Radeon integrated GPU |
| System memory tech | LPDDR5-class | LPDDR5-class |
| Internal storage | NVMe SSD | NVMe SSD |
| Expandable storage | microSD card slot | microSD card slot |
| Display aspect | 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless LAN | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Headset jack | 3.5 mm combo | 3.5 mm combo |
| USB-C video out | DisplayPort Alt Mode | DisplayPort Alt Mode |
| USB-C charging | USB Power Delivery 3.0 | USB Power Delivery 3.0 |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Microphones | Dual-mic array | Dual-mic array |
| Light sensor | Ambient light sensor | Ambient light sensor |
| Motion sensors | 6-axis motion | 6-axis motion |
| External display support | Via USB-C/DP Alt Mode | Via USB-C/DP Alt Mode |
| Dock/hub support | Works with USB-C docks | Works with USB-C docks |
| Gamepad layout | ABXY, D-pad, analog sticks, triggers, bumpers | ABXY, D-pad, analog sticks, triggers, bumpers |
| Steam game library | Runs Steam titles | Runs Steam titles |
| SteamOS availability | Dedicated SteamOS configuration available | Ships with SteamOS |
| Price | Check Lenovo Legion Go Price | Check Steam Deck Price |
