The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is an extreme gaming handheld in every sense of the word, offering a massive 8.8-inch OLED display, powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, and innovative detachable controllers. However, its hefty price tag and weight may give potential buyers pause.
Design and Features
The Legion Go 2 is one of the largest and heaviest handhelds on the market, weighing 920g. Its standout feature is the 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen with VESA True Black HDR 1000 certification, offering stunning visuals. The display has a resolution of 1920 x 1200p, which is a downgrade from the original's 2560 x 1600p but improves gaming performance. The handheld features detachable controllers similar to the Nintendo Switch, with hall-effect joysticks, a touchpad, and extra buttons. It includes two USB-C ports, a microSD card slot, and a headphone jack. Available with up to 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and 2TB storage, it runs Windows 11.
Processor and Battery
Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor with 8 cores and 16 threads, the Legion Go 2 delivers solid performance. It houses a 74Wh battery, offering around 3.5 hours of gaming in balanced mode. The device supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Performance
In benchmark tests at 1200p resolution, the Legion Go 2 outperformed the MSI Claw 8 AI+ but fell short of the ROG Xbox Ally X (tested at 1080p). Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and F1 25 ran smoothly with upscaling enabled. The display is the best in class, though the device's weight makes extended use uncomfortable. The haptic feedback is poor, and the fans can be loud under load.
Battery Life
Battery life is adequate but not exceptional, lasting 3.5 hours in balanced mode. This is slightly better than the ROG Xbox Ally X but not a game-changer.
Value for Money
The Legion Go 2 is priced at around £1800 for the high-end model, nearly double the cost of competitors like the ROG Xbox Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+. While it offers a larger screen, more RAM, and detachable controllers, the value proposition is questionable. A powerful gaming PC and a Steam Deck could be purchased for the same price.
Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 is a technically impressive handheld with the best display and innovative features, but its extreme size, weight, and price make it hard to recommend for most users. It scores 3.5 out of 5.
