Handheld gaming consoles are setting a new trend in the gaming world by bringing high-end specifications of a gaming PC in a portable form factor. In comparison to gaming laptops, the new-age Lenovo Legion Go has revolutionized the world of e-sports. But with so many options and features, Legion Go VS Steam Deck is a hot debate as both consoles are quite similar in the outlooks and gameplay controls.
Lenovo Legion Go VS Steam Deck may seem like an unfair comparison since it is far superior regarding hardware specifications, screen size, quality, and customization options. However, Legion Go is also superior in price as compared to Steam Deck, which might hold you to get a second thought.
So which console should you buy? Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go? To get you better insights on which console is worth buying, we have thoroughly reviewed the Lenovo Legion Go VS Steam Deck by comparing both consoles from different aspects.
Steam Deck VS Lenovo Legion Go Overview
| Steam Deck | Lenovo Legion Go | |
| Processor | AMD Zen 2 APU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Graphics | RDNA 2 | RDNA 3 |
| Memory | 16GB 5,500 MT/s LPDDR5 | 16GB 7,500 MHz LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 64GB (eMMC) / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe SSD) | 512GB / 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Operating System | SteamOS | Windows 11 |
| Battery | 40Wh | 49.2Wh |
| Ports | 3.5mm audio jack, 1x USB Type-C, microSD | 3.5mm audio jack, 2x USB Type-C, 1x microSD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0 | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Display | 7″ (1,280 x 800) IPS 60Hz | 8.8″ QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) IPS 144Hz |
Display and Size
The screen size of the Steam Deck console is fairly large with a 7-inch IPS display running at 60Hertz and the console itself has dimensions of 11.7 by 4.6 by 1.9 inches. This is quite good for a handheld gaming console. Steam Deck weighs about 1.47 pounds, which is considerably lightweight for its size and form factor.
On the other hand, the Lenovo Legion Go has nearly the same dimensions in terms of size, measuring 11.8 by 5.15 by 1.61 inches and weighing 1.88 pounds, which is a bit heavier but not substantial. However, the real treat of Legion Go is the 8.8-inch QHD display that offers a 144Hz refresh rate, which is currently the most superior display screen in a portable handheld gaming console.
Hence in terms of Display and Size, Lenovo Legion Go is clearly the winner!
Processor and Graphics
The processor of a handheld gaming console is the real deal since these handheld gaming consoles feature an APU (accelerated processing unit) carrying the power of a processor and a graphics card.
The APU chip in Steam Deck is an AMD Zen 2 w/ 4-cores/8-threads, variable frequency @ 2.4 – 3.5 GHz supported with 16GB DDR5 RAM. This processing chip makes the Steam Deck processor equivalent to Intel’s Core i5 processors but in a lower class. This console also features the RDNA 2 graphics, which is the Steam Deck’s GPU equivalent of the Nvidia GTX series. Such a combination of processor and graphics delivers quite a stable gameplay experience on a 720p display at 60FPS, but it’s not very flattering for all CPU intensive games.
In comparison, we got the most powerful processor in a handheld gaming console yet by Lenovo in the Legion Go. This console has the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor which is the Legion Go’s processor equivalent to Ryzen 5 series. The RDNA 3 Graphics makes Legion Go’s GPU equivalent to the Nvidia GTX 1650 series, which is top of the line in its class. With such type of processor and GPU hardware on-board, you get a performance output that delivers 90FPS on average at a 1080p display. If you amp up the resolution to 2,560 x 1,600, then you may have to compromise on FPS. Still, it would be a stable yet vivid gaming experience.
Hence in terms of processor and graphics performance, Lenovo Legion Go is way more superior as compared to Steam Deck.
Control Setup
The control setup is quite common in both Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go. Steam Deck feels more like a portable gaming PC in your hands since it has a trackpad like a laptop so you can control the camera mechanics more accurately, especially in first-person shooter games. The trigger buttons, Joysticks, D-pad, the ABXY button setup, and 4 assignable grip buttons for custom mapping.
On the other hand, Lenovo went crazy with Legion Go and took the controller setup concept from every handheld gaming console out there and infused it in the Legion Go. This console also features the standard ABXY setup, D-pad, trigger buttons, and up to 10 assignable buttons. However, the most unique feature of the Legion Go controller setup is the removable controllers, which is quite similar to something that we have seen on a Nintendo Switch console.
Hence you can enjoy multiplayer and co-op games on this console by simply detaching the controllers and playing with them individually. Each controller has a dedicated mouse wheel that comes in handy with playing FPS games or esports titles.
Yet again, Lenovo Legion Go gets an extra point for bringing a unique controller setup concept that is inspired by Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
Gaming Library
Steam Deck carries the concept of games available on the Steam Client, which covers almost every game there is available, even on other platforms. Even when Steam Deck may seem like a Linux-based gaming PC, you still may have to go through a hectic process to install other game launchers like the Heroic Game Launcher or the Origin Game Launcher on Steam Deck to play some exclusive titles.
In comparison to that, the gaming library on Lenovo Legio Go has no limits as the Windows 11-based operating system makes Legion Go compatible with every game launcher available for PC. You can manage Steam Client, Epic Games launcher, Origin Games, and much more right from the Legion Space. However, some games won’t launch on Legion Go if the battery power outage is not managed properly.
So when it comes to, which console hosts the most games available right now, Lenovo Legion Go is the winner.
Battery Life
One of the most important factors that sum it all up to which handheld gaming console is worth buying, is the battery life. Understandably, handheld gaming consoles have high voltage-consuming hardware, which is why, they may not deliver the playtime according to expectations. But Steam Deck lives up to the promise and delivers 2 to 4 hours of gameplay time on 50% brightness and medium graphics settings. You can even extend Steam Deck battery life by using FSR and enabling the night mode on your console.
Now when it comes to Lenovo Legion Go, you barely get a play-time of 1.5 to 2 hours because of power-consuming processor and display screen with QHD and 144Hz refresh rate. There are ways to improve battery life on Legion Go, but you may have to compromise on performance to get some extended gameplay time.
Hence Steam Deck offers a far better battery life as compared to Lenovo Legion Go.
Price
Now it all comes down to the price point where we can conclude which console is worth buying for its performance, control setup, and game library support.
When we talk about the Steam Deck, it comes in 3 different variants, that tag it with three different prices. $400 for the 64GB version with an eMMC, followed by $530 for the 256GB version that bumps the storage up to an NVMe SSD, and $650 for the top-spec with 512GB of storage.
But with the Lenovo Legion Go, you don’t have many affordable choices for now. Legion Go is only available in two variants, the 512GB version that costs $699 and the 1TB variant that costs $749, which is quite expensive as compared to some other handheld gaming consoles available on the market. However, when we compare the hardware capabilities of Legion Go, it does seem worth its price.
Conclusion
Lenovo Legion Go is the best handheld gaming console currently available with its superior processor, high-quality display screen, customizable control setup, and OS compatibility for the game library. This console combines Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and Asus ROG Ally, bringing the best of all consoles in one. The only factor where it lacks is the battery life, which is quite low as compared to other handheld gaming consoles. So, if you are someone who wants to enjoy the experience of a high-end gaming PC in a portable form factor, then go for Lenovo Legion Go without a second thought.
