Our Lenovo Legion Go 2 review covers performance, OLED 144 Hz display, detachable controllers, FPS Mode, battery life, and how it stacks up to the ROG Ally X.
© Lenovo
The handheld gaming market is moving fast, and Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 stands out as one of 2025’s boldest arrivals. It’s more than a refresh of last year’s model; think of it as an off-roader among consoles—big, heavy, yet remarkably capable. Legion Go 2 bundles what enthusiasts value most: powerful internals, a great display, detachable controllers, and a toolkit that makes it just as useful for work as it is for play.
At first glance, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 evokes the Nintendo Switch—only supercharged. This is a substantial device, weighing about 900 grams, with an 8.8-inch display and detachable gamepads on either side. Ergonomics have moved in the right direction: the controllers sit more comfortably in the hand, and the buttons and triggers are laid out sensibly.
Lenovo kept the rear kickstand, so the console doubles as a mini desktop—connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, and you’ve got a full-fledged PC. A standout touch is the trackpad on the right controller, which lets you control the Windows 11 cursor without reaching for a mouse.
There’s also a shooter-friendly twist: the right controller can be detached, switched into FPS Mode, and used like a mouse. It looks unconventional, but the added aiming precision will likely win over many players.
One of the Legion Go 2’s headline features is its large OLED panel: 1920x1200 resolution, 144 Hz refresh, and 500 nits of brightness. The image is rich and punchy, with excellent contrast—especially in games that lean on cinematic lighting. Color reproduction impresses, and the high refresh rate keeps motion feeling fluid.
That big screen does have a trade-off: higher power draw. To hold a steady 60 fps at native resolution in demanding titles, you’ll often need to dial back graphics settings.
The base Legion Go 2 pairs an AMD Ryzen Z2 with 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD. The $1,350 top configuration upgrades to the Z2 Extreme and 32 GB of memory. Performance is strong, particularly when plugged in: power climbs to 35 W with brief spikes to 45 W.
In testing, Cyberpunk 2077 on medium settings lands around 57 fps, while Returnal hovers near 40 fps—numbers comparable to the smaller ROG Ally X. Cooling holds up well: the chassis warms but doesn’t get uncomfortable, and fan noise stays unobtrusive.
Legion Go 2 isn’t confined to gaming. With Windows 11 and the Legion Space app, you can fine-tune everything from CPU power to lighting profiles. Connectivity includes two USB-C ports with data rates up to 40 Gbps, a microSD slot, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Set it on the kickstand and pair wireless accessories, and it morphs into a compact travel PC. You can work on documents, stream videos, or even edit content—the potential is broad.
Thanks to a 74 Wh battery, longevity has improved over the first model. On average, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 runs for about three hours in games at medium brightness—around half an hour less than the ROG Ally X. It lasts longer with lighter workloads, but a charger remains essential for extended sessions.
For all its strengths, there are compromises. The weight and size aren’t ideal for frequent travel—it feels more like a portable PC than a pocket console. The fingerprint reader built into the power button is overly sensitive and can wake the device in a bag, which may lead to overheating. And with prices starting at $1,100, it isn’t the most accessible option.
Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is effectively the premium off-roader of handhelds. It blends power, flexibility, and thoughtful ergonomics, offering more than a gaming console—a portable, do-it-all PC. Yes, the ROG Ally X is a touch faster and cheaper, but no other handheld packs this many features.
If you want a compact yet capable computer to take on the road—work, watch films, and, of course, play—the Legion Go 2 makes an ideal choice. It’s not just a console; it’s a carry-along flagship for those who want everything at once.