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It also offers two USB4 ports for simultaneous charging and accessory use.

It has a more ergonomic design than the Steam Deck, but it only has one touchpad.

Render of the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS on a white background.

Legion Go S (left) and Steam Deck (right.)

Legion Go S (SteamOS) configurations aren’t set to launch until May 2025.

The Steam Deck is the original SteamOS PC gaming handheld.

Additionally, its starting price is lower than the starting price of the Legion Go S (SteamOS).

Steam Deck

I’ll update you when we learn more.

We’ll update this chart and the details on this page when Lenovo releases more details.

This means that they have lower starting points than newer and more powerful handhelds.

Legion Go S and Steam Deck side-by-side on purple and red background.

Legion Go S (left) and Steam Deck (right.)

Of course, some games have been specifically optimized for Steam Deck play, which could affect things.

Performance also depends on other features and how well a system’s components work together.

The Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S supports VRR (variable refresh rate).

Steam Deck displaying Great on Deck page.

The Steam Deck LCD released in 2022 and the Steam Deck OLED launched in 2023, which makes these older devices.

This equates to there being more color and true black for better contrast.

All of this together produces more vibrancy and helps colors pop in darker scenes.

We don’t fully know the Legion Go S (SteamOS)’s specs.

Steam Deck OLED.

Steam Deck has an OLED version, but the Legion Go S does not.

This allows both devices to quickly interact with SteamOS.

Both handhelds also have a microSD card reader for expanding storage space.

Now, for the differences.

Angled look at the Nebula Violet Lenovo Legion Go S Powered by SteamOS.

Legion Go S has offset joysticks and a traditional button layout.

Valve did this to make room for the dual touchpads below the joysticks.

Additionally, the Legion Go S also has back trigger switches to customize how the triggers work.

It also has two USB4 ports, while the Steam Deck only has a singular USB-C port.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 on Steam Deck: Press B

Steam Deck’s ABXY buttons are all the way at the top frontside of the handheld.

In that way, these handhelds feel more like gaming consoles than handheld PCs.

This is how many people access other gaming services on Steam Deck outside of Steam.

The flip side of this is that some games are specifically optimized for Steam Deck.

Image showing a SteamOS button on the Nebula Violet Legion Go S in place of the Legion Space button on the white Legion Go S.

The Legion Go S (SteamOS) has a Steam button where the Legion Go S (Windows 11) has a Legion Space button.

Still, this doesn’t mean the Legion Go S will have a longer battery life.

How long a battery lasts before needing a recharge depends on a few different factors.

Having a larger screen drains more battery, and having a processor that requires more power drains more battery.

Gaming handhelds: Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch OLED, and more

TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER:As of right now, this isunknown.

We’ll have to wait to hear more from Lenovo before we can fully compare the dimensions.

So, it’s possible that the SteamOS version will weigh more than either Steam Deck.

Hogwarts Legacy on Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck has a 40Whr battery, the Steam Deck OLED has a 50Whr battery and the Legion Go S has a 55.5Whr battery.

It only has one USB-C, though.

If it sells well, we’ll likely see more third-party offerings come to market down the road.

Meanwhile, the Legion Go S is new, so there aren’t a ton of peripherals just yet.

Top and bottom look at the Lenovo Legion Go S.

The Legion Go S is only 0.88 inches thick while the Steam Deck is 1.9-inches thick.

We’ll have to wait until we can test the battery to know more.

Best overall

Legion Go S Technology ages fast and the Steam Deck is now an old handheld.

The Legion Go S likely offers better power, performance, and a more comfortable grip.

The back sides of the Legion Go S and Steam Deck on a purple and red background.

The Legion Go S (SteamOS)’s dimensions have not been officially revealed yet.

Legion Go S vs Steam Deck: Which should I buy?

There are a lot of factors to consider when determining which handheld is the best.

Based on specs, one gadget might conclusively be better than the other.

Steam Deck

There are dozens of third-party Steam Deck accessories on the market right now.

However, that doesn’t mean it is the best fit for you.

Meanwhile, the Steam Deck remains the king when it comes to handheld affordability.

This new rig is ideal for people who want the lastest SteamOS handheld available.

Nebula Violet Legion Go S above the Steam Deck on a purple and red background.

While I love the Steam Deck, there’s not denying that it is an older and less powerful gaming handheld.

The Steam Deck has two touchpads, a USB-C port, a microSD card reader.

You have the choice of getting the more affordable 7-inch LCD screen version or the higher-tier 7.4-inch OLED version.

HP Omen PC

Steam Deck Front

Front view of Lenovo Legion Go S and Legion Go on a blue background.

Front view of the Lenovo Legion Go S above the Legion Go 2.

Lenovo Legion Go S on its back above the ROG Ally.

The Lenovo Legion Go S held in a hand, with the ASUS ROG Ally X in the background.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ flat on a table with a Steam Deck below it.

Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck on peach background.

Monument Valley image

Diablo 4 Season 7 Season of the Witch

Marathon gameplay reveal

Promotional screenshot of characters from Zenless Zone Zero

MSI Claw 8 AI+ propped up next to an ROG Ally X on a table.

The Crew

Nintendo Switch 2 on the left with ROG Ally and ROG Ally X on the right.

NVIDIA RTX 5070 vs. RTX 5070 Ti

AMD RX 9000