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The Legion Go S SteamOS model is a ready to use handheld that feels like a slightly faster Steam Deck, with a 55.5Wh battery, 512GB SSD, and microSD expansion. It is strongest at lower power settings, where the Z2 Go performs similarly to the Steam Deck, while at full wattage it can edge it out a bit. The main caveat is that the Z2 Go is still viewed as a step back from Z1 Extreme and Z2 Extreme handhelds, and the Windows version has been called buggy. Open box pricing has also been all over the place, with recent mentions from $298 to $369 open box and $450 new, so value depends heavily on local stock.
Handheld gamers who play mostly at 15W, because it performs similarly to a Steam Deck there while offering SteamOS and a larger battery.
Yes. The Z2 Go is based on older Zen 3/RDNA 2 architecture and is generally below the Z1 Extreme tier, though it can be a bit faster than a Steam Deck and similar at lower power levels. Z1E and Z2E handhelds pull ahead more clearly at 20W and above.
At around 15W, the Z2 Go performs similarly to the Steam Deck; at full wattage it can marginally outperform it, but battery life drops faster. The Steam Deck can still feel better at lower TDPs because it is more efficient.
It is a decent deal if it is available in your area, especially under $500, but a Z1E model is the better value target if you can find one at a similar price. Several comments point to cheap open-box Z1E handhelds as the stronger buy.
Yes. An open-box unit listed as excellent may not actually be in stock at the store, and the store can substitute a new unit at the same price. Another buyer also reported getting an excellent open-box unit for less than the listed price.
Yes. It ships with SteamOS, a 55.5Wh battery, and a 512GB SSD, so it does not need the battery or OS mods that some other handhelds do. MicroSD expansion is the easy upgrade path if 512GB is not enough.
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Got it used excellent for $400 on Amazon. Returned. It IS NOT as smooth of an experience as the steam deck. there are many bugs and issues with the steam is on it. Doesn't perform good enough for it to sound as loud as it does at full tdp.
I would not get a handheld with a chip weaker then the z1e.
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The Z2 Go is really deceptively named. It's an older processor and GPU architecture than the original Z1. It's Zen3/RDNA2 which is now pretty old. A steamdeck is going to be faster than this.
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from kpb321
:
The Z2 Go is really deceptively named. It's an older processor and GPU architecture than the original Z1. It's Zen3/RDNA2 which is now pretty old. A steamdeck is going to be faster than this.
This is all true except that at full wattage this chip can actually outperform Steam Deck marginally. But the Steam Deck performs better at lower TDPs and for that reason can yield a better experience because of greater efficiency.
Last edited by BlueDesk9616 October 23, 2025 at 06:17 PM.
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I'm so sick of these threads that feature the absolute lowest price as the main price, that's available in 1% of all Best Buy stores. It's like Walmart ymmv threads from years past all over again.
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Oct 24, 2025 4:44 AM
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Oh, I dont think anyone knew it was bothering you... now that they know, im sure they'll stop.As for the deal, decent if in your area. But at this point I'd wait for a z1e model to hit this price
His point still stands, huge ymmv posts like this should not be plastered all over fp.
His point still stands, huge ymmv posts like this should not be plastered all over fp.
I disagree. I picked up my Ally Z1E last year at $320 thanks to one of these YMMV threads. My bestbuy had it... so it worked out for me. How else would I have known if not for the post? I am sure there are others who also scored a great deal thanks to a post like this where they happened to be in the right area. OP labeled it correctly as YMMV, so I don't see the issue really aside from you not wanting anyone to get a specific deal if you are also not able to get, I suppose?
No, no it isn't. Like for like on settings they're either similar on Steam OS, or this is ahead.
The Z1 is a Zen 4 RDNA 3 CPU fabricated at 4nm. It is the same as the Z1 Extreme albeit with fewer CPU cores and fewer CUs.
But the Z2 Go is a Zen 3+ RDNA 2 CPU fabricated at 6nm. It is not a scaled down version of Z2 Extreme, which is a Zen 5+ RDNA 3.5 CPU fabricated at 4nm. From a technology perspective it's a step backward even from the Z1.
It is very similar to the Steam Deck chip, which is not exactly high praise given that we're comparing it to a system that is 3 years old. But with more execution resources.
At 15 watts it performs very similarly to the Steam Deck. At full wattage it can marginally outperform the Steam Deck at the cost of shortened battery life. At low wattage the Steam Deck pulls fewer watts for total system power, providing better battery life.
Last edited by BlueDesk9616 October 24, 2025 at 09:37 AM.
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Community Reviews
The Legion Go S SteamOS model is a ready to use handheld that feels like a slightly faster Steam Deck, with a 55.5Wh battery, 512GB SSD, and microSD expansion. It is strongest at lower power settings, where the Z2 Go performs similarly to the Steam Deck, while at full wattage it can edge it out a bit. The main caveat is that the Z2 Go is still viewed as a step back from Z1 Extreme and Z2 Extreme handhelds, and the Windows version has been called buggy. Open box pricing has also been all over the place, with recent mentions from $298 to $369 open box and $450 new, so value depends heavily on local stock.
The open-box pricing can drop into cheaper Good or Fair grades.
The Legion Go S can be ready out of the box with SteamOS included.
The Legion Go S includes a 55.5Wh battery that may be sufficient without a battery mod.
At around 15W, the Z2 Go can deliver a similar experience to Steam Deck efficiency.
The Z2 Go can have many bugs and issues that reduce smoothness versus Steam Deck.
The Z2 Go may not perform well enough to justify its loud full-TDP behavior.
The Z2 Go can use an older Zen 3 plus RDNA 2 architecture that may lag Steam Deck in practice.
An open-box unit may not actually be in stock, even when listed as excellent condition.
Common Questions (5)
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Correction Excellent is still $507 but now there's cheaper options in Good and Fair.
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I would not get a handheld with a chip weaker then the z1e.
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But the Z2 Go is a Zen 3+ RDNA 2 CPU fabricated at 6nm. It is not a scaled down version of Z2 Extreme, which is a Zen 5+ RDNA 3.5 CPU fabricated at 4nm. From a technology perspective it's a step backward even from the Z1.
It is very similar to the Steam Deck chip, which is not exactly high praise given that we're comparing it to a system that is 3 years old. But with more execution resources.
At 15 watts it performs very similarly to the Steam Deck. At full wattage it can marginally outperform the Steam Deck at the cost of shortened battery life. At low wattage the Steam Deck pulls fewer watts for total system power, providing better battery life.
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