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Lenovo Legion Go S vs. ROG Ally X: Specs, Performance and Key Differences

The ROG Ally X led the tested Ryzen Z2 Go Legion Go S in two of three game benchmarks and in a Wi-Fi web test. The Go S offers a larger screen and Windows or SteamOS configurations.
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The 2024 ROG Ally X is the stronger choice for gaming performance and tested web-browsing battery life in Tom’s Guide’s comparison with a Windows Legion Go S equipped with Ryzen Z2 Go. Lenovo’s handheld counters with a larger 8-inch screen, distinctive controls and, in some configurations, SteamOS. The comparison is configuration-specific: the tested Go S was not the separate Ryzen Z1 Extreme model.

At a glance: Legion Go S vs. ROG Ally X

Feature Lenovo Legion Go S (reviewed Windows configuration) ASUS ROG Ally X (2024)
Processor and memory AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, 32GB RAM AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 24GB RAM
Storage 1TB SSD 1TB SSD
Display 8-inch, 1920 × 1200, 16:10 LCD, 120Hz 7-inch, 1920 × 1080, 16:9 LCD, 120Hz
Battery capacity 55.5Wh for the cited SteamOS SKU (Lenovo) 80Wh (ASUS)
Wi-Fi web test 1 hour 42 minutes 3 hours 4 minutes
Operating system Windows 11 or SteamOS, depending on SKU Windows 11

Gaming and web-runtime results are from Tom’s Guide’s comparison of these reviewed configurations; the web test used continuous Wi-Fi browsing with each display set to 150 nits. The runtime figures are not estimates of gaming battery life. Tom’s Guide’s comparison, Lenovo’s Legion Go S product family and ASUS’s ROG Ally X (2024) specifications describe the relevant models and configurations.

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How do their gaming performance results compare?

In Tom’s Guide’s 720p built-in benchmark results, the Ally X led in two of three games. The margin depended on the title:

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Game and test resolution Legion Go S, Ryzen Z2 Go ROG Ally X, Ryzen Z1 Extreme
Assassin’s Creed Mirage, 720p 32 fps 31 fps
Cyberpunk 2077, 720p 5 fps 9 fps
Red Dead Redemption 2, 720p 23 fps 26 fps

Tom’s Guide also reported Doom Eternal running at roughly 45–50 fps on the Ally X at 720p and medium settings, versus 40–45 fps on the Go S at 720p and low settings. Because those settings differ, the Doom figures are not a like-for-like result. All of these results describe the tested units and conditions, not a guaranteed frame rate in other games or configurations.

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Lenovo Legion Go S - 2025 - Mobile Gaming Console - AMD Radeon graphics - 8" PureSight IPS Display - 120Hz - AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Go - 16GB Memory - 512GB Storage - Glacier White - Free PC Game Pass
  • 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.

The results make the Z1 Extreme Ally X the safer pick if gaming performance is the priority and the alternative is the tested Z2 Go Go S. They do not establish how the Ally X performs against a Go S configured with a different processor: Lenovo’s Go S range includes other configurations, and Tom’s Guide’s tested Go S used the Z2 Go.

Which screen is better?

The Go S gives you a larger display with more pixels, while the Ally X’s panel measured brighter in Tom’s Guide’s lab test. Both reviewed models use 120Hz LCDs, not OLED panels.

Rank #2
Lenovo Legion Go S 8" Gaming Handheld AMD Ryzen Z2 Go 512GB SSD
  • POWERFUL PROCESSOR: Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip, delivering smooth and responsive gaming performance on the go.
  • STUNNING DISPLAY: Features an 8-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid, tear-free visuals during fast-paced gameplay.
  • SEAMLESS OS EXPERIENCE: Runs on SteamOS, giving you direct access to your Steam library and a console-like handheld gaming experience.
  • AMPLE MEMORY & STORAGE: Comes equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for fast load times and plenty of space for your game library.
  • PORTABLE GAMING POWERHOUSE: Compact handheld design lets you enjoy full PC gaming titles anywhere, combining power and portability in one device.
Display detail Legion Go S ROG Ally X
Size and aspect ratio 8 inches, 16:10 7 inches, 16:9
Resolution and refresh rate 1920 × 1200, 120Hz 1920 × 1080, 120Hz
Measured brightness 455 nits 523 nits
Measured color coverage 119.7% sRGB; 84.8% DCI-P3 112.7% sRGB; 79.8% DCI-P3
Measured color accuracy (Delta-E) 0.24 0.36

The brightness, color-coverage and Delta-E figures are Tom’s Guide’s measurements of its reviewed units. A lower Delta-E indicates a smaller measured color error. In that test, the Go S had stronger color coverage and accuracy, while the Ally X could reach higher brightness. Choose the Go S for the bigger viewing area; consider the Ally X if a brighter screen matters more.

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Battery life: what does the test show?

Tom’s Guide measured 1 hour 42 minutes for the tested Go S and 3 hours 4 minutes for the Ally X during continuous Wi-Fi web browsing at a 150-nit screen setting. This was a web-surfing test, not gameplay, so it cannot predict how long either handheld will run a particular game.

Rank #3
Lenovo Legion Go 2 Gaming Handheld Gaming PC - AMD Ryzen Z2 8C, 32GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, 8.8 WUXGA OLED 144Hz, Windows 11 Home + Carrying Case
  • MAX POWER, YOUR RULES – Play your way with the Lenovo Legion Go 2. Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor, a vibrant 8.8" 144Hz Lenovo PureSight OLED gaming display, and a massive 74Whr battery, it’s built to push further, game longer, and stay unplugged.
  • MAX COOLING, MANUAL CONTROL – The Legion Coldfront thermal system is built to handle serious heat. Increased radiators and fan blade’s surface area improves the airflow without increasing the noise. Upgraded dual heat pipes distribute heat more efficiently to keep your rig powerful and precise.
  • UNLOCK MULTIPLE WAYS TO PLAY – Experience total freedom with the Legion Truestrike controllers. In FPS mode, the right controller can be detached, docked and operated as a mouse, giving you the edge in every firefight.
  • SPEED + IMMERSION – The OLED gaming panel combines blazing speed and visual depth in a single, immersive experience. Game without compromise aided by the ultra-fast response rates, perfect blacks, and vivid color.
  • BUILT TO OUTLAST – The Legion Go 2 packs 74Whr of serious staying power. That means longer sessions, higher settings, and fewer compromises, whether you're gaming at full performance or tweaking settings on the go.

Battery capacity is a separate specification from runtime: ASUS lists an 80Wh battery for the Ally X, while Lenovo lists 55.5Wh for the cited SteamOS Go S SKU. Power use varies with workload, settings and configuration, so capacity alone does not translate into a fixed number of gaming hours.

Controls, comfort and portability

Windows Central identifies Hall Effect sticks, a small touchpad and adjustable trigger switches on the Go S. It also describes the handheld’s rounded grips and shape positively, though comfort depends on the player’s hands and preferences. ASUS describes the Ally X as redesigned for ergonomics and lists dual USB Type-C ports. These devices offer different control layouts, so the best fit is a personal choice.

Weight figures depend on the model and source. Tom’s Guide lists the reviewed Ally X at 1.49 lb and the reviewed Go S at 1.63 lb. Windows Central’s figures of about 608g for the original ROG Ally and 740g for the Go S compare the Go S with the original Ally, not the Ally X; they should not be used as Ally X weights.

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Windows 11 or SteamOS?

The Ally X is a Windows 11 handheld. Lenovo offers the Go S with Windows 11 or SteamOS, depending on the exact configuration. If you want SteamOS’s more console-style interface, verify that the specific Go S listing is the SteamOS SKU; the Go S name alone does not identify its operating system. Different operating systems can change the interface and compatibility experience. Windows Central characterizes SteamOS as the simpler, console-style option.

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Lenovo Legion Go S Gaming Handheld Consoles, Steam OS, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, 8" 120Hz IPS LCD Touch Screen, AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, with GSF Kit
  • 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
  • 【Lenovo Pure Sight Gaming Display】Feel every pulse of the game with the native landscape 8" Lenovo PureSight display, offering a larger, ultra-vibrant screen. The buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and VRR keep you in perfect sync with the action. Immerse yourself with vivid colors, sharp details, and precise touch control—your world, your game, your rules.
  • 【AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor with integrated RDNA graphics】 Experience incredible portable performance that lets you take your gaming adventures anywhere. Powered by the cutting-edge ‘Zen 3’ architecture, the legion go s boasts 4 high-performance CPU cores and 8 threads, delivering ultra-responsive gaming that keeps you ahead of the competition. Elevate your gaming experience to new heights with unmatched speed and efficiency!
  • 【Play Your Way With Legion Space】Customize your game with Legion Space. Need more battery in the heat of battle? Adjust power modes on the fly. Want sharper visuals for that boss fight? Boost your resolution mid-game. Fine-tune your joystick sensitivity and create custom profiles for your favorite games —all while jumping between Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and more with one click.
  • 【Take Full Control】Dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers— the perfect combo of style and function with the iconic Legion design. Switch effortlessly between a short and long trigger press using the adjustable trigger switch for different scenario play. Experience ultra-smooth control with hall effect RGB joysticks, and unleash combos with the large Pivot D-Pad so you're equipped for every game.

Which handheld should you choose?

  • Choose the ROG Ally X if performance in the cited Z2 Go comparison and the longer result in Tom’s Guide’s Wi-Fi web test are your main priorities, or if you prefer its brighter measured display.
  • Choose the Legion Go S if you want the larger screen, prefer its touchpad and adjustable-trigger controls, or specifically want a SteamOS configuration.
  • Compare exact SKUs before applying benchmark results: the tested Go S had a Ryzen Z2 Go, while Lenovo sells other processor configurations too.
  • Check current local listings for price and availability, and compare processor, memory, storage and operating system on like-for-like terms. Tom’s Guide listed $729 for its 32GB/1TB Z2 Go Windows Go S and $799 for the 2024 Ally X, but those are historical article-time prices, not current offers.

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.

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