Choose the Lenovo Legion Go 2 if your priority is a large OLED display, detachable controllers, tabletop play and an FPS-style control mode. Choose the ASUS ROG Ally X (2024, model RC72LA) if you want a more compact conventional handheld, a larger rated battery and the stronger battery result recorded in Tom’s Guide’s testing. They are not interchangeable configurations: Lenovo’s Legion Go 8AHP2 uses Ryzen Z2 options and 16GB or 32GB of soldered memory, while the Ally X uses Ryzen Z1 Extreme with up to 24GB. Compare the exact SKU and current local price before treating either as the better value.
This comparison covers the Legion Go Gen 2, also identified by Lenovo’s PSREF code Legion Go 8AHP2, and the 2024 ROG Ally X RC72LA. It does not cover the separately named ROG Xbox Ally X.
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Quick comparison
| Category | Lenovo Legion Go 2 (8AHP2) | ASUS ROG Ally X (2024, RC72LA) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen, 1920×1200, 144Hz | 7-inch Full HD touchscreen, 120Hz, FreeSync Premium |
| Controls | Detachable controllers, built-in kickstand, tabletop mode, FPS mode and touchpad | Integrated handheld controls in a conventional layout |
| Battery rating | 74Wh | 80Wh |
| Tom’s Guide PCMark 10 gaming test (2025) | 2 hours 15 minutes | 3 hours 14 minutes |
| Tom’s Guide continuous web test at 150 nits (2025) | 10 hours 45 minutes | 8 hours 19 minutes |
| Processor options listed by the manufacturer | AMD Ryzen Z2 | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Memory | 16GB or 32GB soldered; not upgradeable | Up to 24GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage options listed | 512GB or 1TB PCIe 4.0; M.2 2280 slot | Up to 2TB |
| Weight | Approximately 920g (2.03lb) with controllers attached | Check the exact ASUS specification for your revision before making a numeric comparison |
| Observed US pricing | $1,099 starting price; $1,349 for Tom’s Guide’s tested configuration | $799.99 displayed on ASUS’s US product page when consulted |
The battery figures and prices are snapshots, not guarantees. Tom’s Guide tested particular review units under its own settings, while the prices reflect US pages at the stated times. Retail stock, discounts, regional taxes and memory or storage configurations can change the result.
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Lenovo’s consumer page calls the product Legion Go Gen 2 or Legion Go 2. Its specification reference uses Legion Go 8AHP2. That code matters because specifications can differ between regional or future revisions. The cited Lenovo configuration offers Ryzen Z2, 16GB or 32GB of soldered memory, and factory storage choices of 512GB or 1TB. The memory cannot be replaced, although the M.2 2280 slot means the internal drive is a separate upgrade consideration.
#1 Best Overall
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
ASUS’s model in this article is the 2024 ROG Ally X, model RC72LA. A newer product carrying the ROG Xbox Ally X name is a different device and should not be substituted in a price or performance comparison. When shopping, copy the model code from the retailer listing and check whether the quoted RAM and SSD capacities match the unit you intend to buy.
Display and control design are the decisive differences
When the Legion’s larger OLED panel helps
The Legion Go 2 is built around an 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen with a 1920×1200 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The extra screen area makes small strategy interfaces, desktop text and split-screen menus easier to inspect while holding the device. OLED technology can provide the high contrast that helps dark scenes and menus look more distinct, although the practical benefit depends on the game, brightness setting and ambient light.
The 16:10 resolution gives the Legion a little more vertical space than a conventional 16:9 1080p panel. Games that do not scale cleanly may show borders or require a resolution adjustment, so use each title’s display settings rather than assuming every game will fill the panel perfectly.
When the Ally X’s smaller screen is preferable
The Ally X uses a 7-inch Full HD touchscreen at 120Hz with FreeSync Premium. Its smaller footprint can be easier to carry and may make the integrated controls feel less stretched for players with smaller hands. Variable-refresh support is intended to keep motion smoother when frame rates fluctuate, but the result still depends on the game and the graphics settings you select.
Rank #2
- High-Performance Computing: Harness the power of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor to effortlessly handle demanding tasks. Enjoy reliable, high-performance computing wherever you go.
- Simplistic Design: Enjoy the latest generation of Windows 11 Home for your everyday needs. MSI recommends Windows 11 Pro for business use.
- Perfection Through Anthropometry: As a handheld device, Claw has achieved the optimal balance between its grip and weight. We have meticulously polished various design details, from the curvature that fits the palm, to the finger grip positions and trigger force.
- Best-in-Class Battery Life: Unlock exceptional gaming endurance with our breakthrough battery capacity. It's where efficient power meets robust performance—more game, less charge.
- 8-inch Smoothness Ready: Dive into the ultimate gaming experience with our 8-inch premium 120Hz gaming display, with exceptional color reproduction and smooth action.
Neither refresh-rate number guarantees a particular frame rate. The processor, power mode, resolution and game engine determine how much of the panel’s capability you can use. A lower rendering resolution can improve performance on either device, while the Legion’s higher native resolution gives you more pixels to drive when you choose it.
Detachable controllers and FPS mode
Lenovo’s controllers slide off the sides and the built-in kickstand supports tabletop play. In that position, you can use the screen as a small monitor while keeping the controls separate, which is useful for co-op sessions, desk play or travel trays. Lenovo also includes an FPS mode intended to let one controller act more like a mouse for first-person games. The touchpad adds another cursor-control option.
Detachment adds flexibility but also adds parts to carry, pair and store. If you almost always play in your hands, the Ally X’s permanently attached controls are simpler: there is no kickstand deployment, controller storage or reattachment step. The right choice is therefore about how often you will actually use the alternate positions, not which design has the longer feature list.
Battery capacity is not the same as gaming endurance
Lenovo rates the Legion Go 2 battery at 74Wh, while ASUS rates the Ally X at 80Wh. Those capacities indicate stored energy, but they do not predict runtime by themselves. Display size, panel technology, brightness, power limits, wireless activity, game load and firmware all affect consumption.
Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Tom’s Guide’s 2025 PCMark 10 gaming battery test ran for 2 hours 15 minutes on its Legion Go 2 review unit and 3 hours 14 minutes on its ROG Ally X review unit. In the same publication’s continuous web-surfing test at 150 nits, the Legion reached 10 hours 45 minutes and the Ally X reached 8 hours 19 minutes. The contrasting results show why a web-browsing figure or a manufacturer estimate should not be presented as gaming life. Treat both sets as results from that review’s units and protocol, not a promise for every retail configuration.
Lenovo separately estimates up to 15 hours of local 1080p video at 150 nits under its specified battery-test methods. Lenovo cautions that configuration, software, wireless use, power settings and brightness change actual life. That estimate is not directly comparable with Tom’s Guide’s gaming test. If long unplugged gaming sessions are your main requirement, the Ally X has the larger rated pack and the better result in this one gaming test; carry a USB-C charger for either device when you will be away from an outlet.
Processor, memory and storage: compare SKUs, not labels
Processor names do not establish a winner
The Legion specification lists AMD Ryzen Z2, while ASUS lists Ryzen Z1 Extreme for the 2024 Ally X. These are different product families, and a model name alone does not tell you how a particular game will perform. Power limits, cooling profiles, drivers, resolution and the game’s own workload can outweigh a simple generational assumption. No controlled, same-game benchmark covering every available configuration is established here, so avoid declaring one universally faster.
Memory affects the configuration you can buy
Lenovo offers 16GB or 32GB of soldered memory, and the memory is not upgradeable. Select the capacity you need at purchase; opening the device will not turn a 16GB model into a 32GB model. ASUS lists up to 24GB of LPDDR5X. The usable amount can also be shared with integrated graphics, so a game’s recommended specification and your background applications matter when choosing between capacities.
Rank #4
- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Internal drive and removable storage
Lenovo lists 512GB and 1TB PCIe 4.0 factory options and an M.2 2280 slot. The slot gives you a path to replace the internal SSD with a compatible drive, but the listed factory capacities are not a statement of the maximum capacity of every compatible replacement. ASUS lists configurations up to 2TB. Both products support removable storage through a microSD reader or removable-storage support described by their manufacturers. Check the exact manual and retailer specification for supported card types and capacities before buying a card for a large library.
Weight, portability and playing position
Lenovo specifies approximately 920g (2.03lb) for the Legion Go 8AHP2 with controllers attached. Tom’s Guide found the rounded grips comfortable but reported that the weight could become tiring during long handheld sessions. The large display and detachable hardware explain much of that trade-off: you gain a more flexible tabletop setup, but you are holding a substantial computer.
The Ally X follows a smaller, integrated-handheld approach. Because the exact numeric comparison can vary by revision and configuration, verify ASUS’s current specification if weight is a deciding factor. In practical terms, test your likely posture: a heavy device may feel fine against a desk or pillow and tiring when held at chest height. A protective case, detachable controls and a charger also add to the travel load.
Windows access brings flexibility and friction
Both cited devices are Windows handheld PCs. You can install PC games and launchers that require Windows, use desktop applications and connect ordinary peripherals. That breadth is a major reason to choose them over a closed console ecosystem.
Best Value
- XBOX EXPERIENCE BROUGHT TO LIFE BY ROG The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- XBOX GAME BAR INTEGRATION Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- ALL YOUR GAMES, ALL YOUR PROGRESS Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- NEVER STOP GAMING Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- GAME-READY STORAGE AND FAST MEMORY Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Windows was designed around a mouse and keyboard rather than a small controller-first shell. Tom’s Guide described navigating Windows 11 with controller inputs as awkward and noted that users may need the touchscreen or a stick-controlled cursor. This is a reviewer’s experience, not a universal verdict: some owners will tolerate the desktop steps for access to specific stores or applications, while others will prefer a dedicated handheld interface and a keyboard or dock at a desk.
Plan your first setup around a reliable Wi-Fi connection, Windows updates, graphics-driver updates and enough free SSD space for the games you intend to install. A compact Bluetooth keyboard or a USB keyboard connected through a dock can make account sign-in and troubleshooting much easier.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price and value depend on configuration and date
Tom’s Guide reported a $1,099 starting price for the Legion Go 2 and $1,349 for the configuration it tested. ASUS’s US product page displayed $799.99 for the 2024 ROG Ally X when consulted. Those are observed US figures, not a promise of current stock or a universal street price. Sales, regional taxes, retailer bundles and different RAM or SSD capacities can erase or widen the gap.
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Which handheld fits your playing style?
Choose the Legion Go 2 when these priorities dominate
- You want the largest image and an OLED panel for handheld or tabletop play.
- You will use the kickstand and detachable controllers often, rather than carrying them as unused extras.
- FPS mode, a touchpad and a separate control position solve a specific game or desk setup problem for you.
- You are prepared to select the required soldered-memory capacity at purchase.
- You value a built-in stand and USB4-based docking possibilities for an external display or peripherals.
Choose the ROG Ally X (2024) when these priorities dominate
- You prefer an integrated, conventional handheld with fewer pieces to manage.
- Battery capacity and the longer gaming result in Tom’s Guide’s test matter more than a larger screen.
- You want the listed Ryzen Z1 Extreme platform and up to 24GB of LPDDR5X in the configuration available to you.
- You find the Legion’s size and weight tiring or rarely play with a stand.
- The current price difference leaves money for a case, storage or a charger.
Choose neither until you verify these details
- Your preferred game’s performance at the resolution and power mode you can tolerate.
- The exact memory and SSD capacity in the retailer’s SKU.
- Current local price, return policy, warranty coverage and stock.
- Whether your dock, monitor, headset and microSD card are compatible with the ports and requirements of the chosen model.
First-day setup checklist
- Confirm the model. Check for Legion Go 8AHP2 or ROG Ally X RC72LA on the box or listing, and make sure you did not receive the separately named ROG Xbox Ally X.
- Update Windows. Connect to power, install Windows updates and restart until no further restart is requested.
- Install manufacturer updates. Apply the current BIOS, chipset, graphics and controller firmware offered by Lenovo or ASUS for your exact model.
- Set a baseline profile. Record display brightness, refresh rate, resolution, frame-rate limit and power mode before changing them. This gives you a repeatable starting point when a game behaves poorly.
- Install one demanding game first. Test controls, suspend/resume, speakers, wireless networking and battery drain before filling the SSD with a large library.
- Prepare Windows input. Pair a keyboard or use the touchscreen during account setup; keep a way to control the cursor if a launcher does not recognize the gamepad.
- Test storage and accessories. If you add an SSD, microSD card or USB-C dock, verify that Windows sees it and that the device remains stable under a game load before moving your library.
Common buying and usage mistakes
- Confusing product names: The 2024 RC72LA is not the newer ROG Xbox Ally X. A listing that omits the model code deserves extra scrutiny.
- Using battery watt-hours as a runtime promise: Capacity is only one input. Gaming results and video or web results can differ substantially.
- Assuming memory can be upgraded: The Legion’s memory is soldered. Buy the capacity you need.
- Comparing unlike prices: Note RAM, SSD, region, tax and sale dates before calling one device cheaper.
- Expecting console-like Windows navigation: Keep touch input or a cursor method available, especially during setup and launcher troubleshooting.
- Buying accessories by category alone: Check dock power, display output, storage support and connector requirements for the exact handheld.
Bottom-line decision
The Legion Go 2 is the specialist choice for a bigger OLED canvas and flexible play positions. Its detachable controls, kickstand and FPS mode can change how you use a handheld, but they come with more weight and a higher observed US price for the tested configuration. The ROG Ally X (2024) is the simpler grab-and-play design, with the larger rated battery and longer gaming result in Tom’s Guide’s test, while giving up the Legion’s display size and detachable-control options. Buy only after matching the exact SKU, current local price and the way you actually play.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
