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The unit also comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
It might not have all the conveniences of newer handhelds, but it’s still a solid gaming rig.
Both the Legion Go S and the ROG Ally support up to 120Hz refresh rate.
Lenovo’s new gaming handheld will be available in both a SteamOS and a Windows 11 option.
Depending on the configuration, it can come powered with a custom Z2 Go or a Z1 Extreme chip.
It also comes with a whopping 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD.
The touchscreen is somewhat large, measuring 8 inches.
The display supports VRR, native landscape, and up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
you’ve got the option to make use of accessories using the two USB4 ports.
Both the Legion Go S and the ROG Ally support up to 120Hz refresh rate.
The original whiteASUS ROG Ally, which launched in 2023, was the first majorgaming handheldto runWindows 11.
I was the one who conducted testing and wrote up both ourROG Ally reviewandROG Ally X reviewfor Windows Central.
Since then, multiple competitors have come out of the woodwork, including the Legion Go line.
The Legion Go S and ROG Ally both have back buttons, but the Go S also has adjustable trigger switches.
Here’s how the Legion Go S compares to the ROG Ally.
Meanwhile, the ROG Ally only has Windows 11 as an operating system.
Because of this, I’d consider the ROG Ally the best value buy in this instance.
The Nebula Violet Legion Go S — Powered by SteamOS is cheaper than ROG Ally.
To be clear, the Legion Go S Windows handheld costs more because it offers newer features.
In other words, we won’t ever see it in another handheld.
However, our own findings didn’t match this.
ROG Ally offers a better value due to its balance of performance and price.
Still, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme performed better in our benchmarks and testing than the Go S did.
Games played smoother, too.
These are all very nice features to have.
The Z2 Go chip in Legion Go S has better power consumption, but isn’t as powerful as Z1 Extreme.
For one, the Legion Go S offers Hall Effect joysticks, which should never suffer from drift.
This is something that is lacking in the ROG Ally.
Although, there haven’t been that many reports of drift in the ASUS handheld.
The Legion Go S has a larger 8-inch display than the 7-inch ROG Ally display.
Lastly, the Go S has adjustable trigger switches on the back to give more custom control.
The one thing that ROG Ally has that the Go S doesn’t is a fingerprint reader.
It doesn’t always work correctly, but it can be very nice to have when it does.
Legion Go S has a small touchpad while the ROG Ally doesn’t have a touchpad at all.(Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)
In case you’re wondering, theLegion Go 2prototype does have a fingerprint reader.
These are features in common with the Ally.
The Go S also outshines the original ROG Ally when it comes to ports.
The SteamOS version of the Legion Go S has a SteamOS button.(Image credit: Windows Central / Lenovo)
The Ally comes with Armoury Crate installed, while the Go S comes with Legion Space.
These applications let you adjust system configs while also serving as game launchers and stores.
However, ROG Ally’s Armoury Crate provides better options and customization options.
There are adjustable trigger switches on the back of the Legion Go S.(Image credit: Lenovo)
So, between the two Windows devices,ROG Allyis better.
; It’s one of the worst areas of these devices.
That’s not ideal.
The Legion Go S does not have detachable controllers or a built-in kickstand.(Image credit: Windows Central / Lenovo)
As such, neither equipment really offers satisfactory battery life.
TL;DR: BATTERY LIFE WINNER:Neither gadget really has amazing battery life.
Of the twoLegion Go Sis slightly better, but ROG Ally X lasts even longer.
Several improvements have been made to the Legion Go S over the original Legion go.(Image credit: Lenovo)
In terms of size and weight, the Go S is a slightly bigger gadget.
It’s 11.77 inches wide, 5.02 inches tall, 0.89 inches deep, and weighs 1.61 pounds.
Performance
The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme offers better performance than the Legion Go S Z2 Go.
The Legion Go S has two USB-C ports while the ROG Ally only has one.
There’s no denying that the larger 8.8-inch touchscreen on the Legion Go S is better.
ROG Ally X currently has the best handheld battery life.
Meanwhile, the Ally is likely a better value and offers better performance.
Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Which should I buy?
Either gaming handheld could be a great pick, depending on what you value most in your gaming rig.
What’s more, its Z2 Go chip offers lower performance than those Z1 Extreme devices.
It comes with 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 7-inch touchscreen.
It’s a great value for the configuration and features that it offers.
It has twice the battery capacity and doubles the storage space of the original ROG Ally.
ROG Ally offers more settings and customizations in its Armoury Crate software than the Legion Go S does in Legion Space.
Plus, the controls and joysticks have been upgraded for the better.
This new unit is ideal for people who simply want a handheld gaming system.
Depending on the configuration you go with, it can run SteamOS or Windows 11.
Settings and control mapping can be adjusted within Legion Space.
ROG Ally most likely offers better performance over Legion Go S.(Image credit: Rebecca Spear / Windows Central)
The Legion Go most likely has better battery life than the ROG Ally.(Image credit: Windows Central / Lenovo)
