Leak: SteamOS-based Lenovo Legion Go 2 to rival Steam Deck

Lenovo may be preparing an alternative take on its Legion Go 2 handheld, one that could catch the eye of people waiting for a Steam Deck 2. A leak suggests the company is considering a version that runs SteamOS instead of Windows, a shift that could make the device feel more streamlined and console-like.

The original Legion Go 2 was shown at CES 2025 but never made it to a full release. Even so, sources say Lenovo does not plan to change the hardware and instead wants to broaden the lineup by switching the operating system. The SteamOS edition could be announced at CES 2026—exactly one year after the first reveal.

The reason is clear: Windows brings compromises on handheld gaming devices. A small display, imperfect controls, unreliable sleep behavior, and background load from system services have long frustrated users. SteamOS, by contrast, requires fewer resources, manages power better, and offers an interface designed from the start for a console-style experience. For a portable that lives and dies by battery life and frictionless navigation, that sounds like a pragmatic pivot.

According to the leak, the hardware would remain unchanged. The SteamOS-based Legion Go 2 would keep the same AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory, storage up to 2 TB, and an 8.8-inch OLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate. The focus, then, is firmly on software experience rather than chasing higher performance figures.

Lenovo has already tried an official move to SteamOS. The company previously released the Legion Go S first with Windows and later in a version running Valve’s operating system. If the same approach is applied to the Legion Go 2, the device could become a more powerful alternative to the Steam Deck and temporarily fill the gap until Valve unveils its next-generation handheld—a positioning that could resonate with buyers who value console-like simplicity without the wait.