Lenovo Legion Go S vs ASUS ROG Ally: The Ultimate Handheld Showdown!

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In 2023, the initial version of the ASUS ROG Ally, with a white color scheme, marked the debut of a significant gaming handheld device running on Windows 11. I was responsible for testing this device and writing our ROG Ally review for Windows Central. Since that time, various competitors have emerged, among them the Legion Go series.

Since the new Lenovo Legion Go S has hit the market, I thought it would be interesting to see how it stacks up against the ROG Ally. For those unaware, there are two iterations of the Legion Go S – the white 8-inch version running Windows 11 and the dark purple Nebula Violet Legion Go S powered by SteamOS. Here’s a look at how they compare:

1. Design: The ROG Ally has a more compact design, making it easier to carry around. However, the Legion Go S offers a more premium feel with its metal construction.

2. Operating System: The Windows 11 version of the Legion Go S provides a familiar desktop-like experience, while the SteamOS-powered Nebula Violet Legion Go S is optimized for gaming and has access to the vast Steam library.

3. Performance: Both devices offer impressive performance with their Intel processors and dedicated graphics. However, the ROG Ally seems to have a slight edge in terms of raw power due to its higher clock speeds and cooling system.

4. Battery Life: The Legion Go S boasts longer battery life compared to the ROG Ally, making it ideal for those on-the-go gamers who don’t want to be tethered to a power outlet all the time.

5. Price: The ROG Ally is currently more expensive than both versions of the Legion Go S, which may make it a tough sell for budget-conscious consumers.

Overall, both devices are impressive in their own right and cater to different needs. The choice between them will depend on your specific preferences regarding design, operating system, performance, battery life, and price.

Legion Go S vs Legion Go: Specs

After reviewing the comparison table, let’s delve deeper into these various aspects and clarify how they shape the user’s overall experience.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Price & value

Previously mentioned, the Lenovo Legion Go S is available in two versions: one running on Windows 11 priced at $729.99 and another SteamOS version that will follow with a price tag of $499.99. On the other hand, the ROG Ally operates exclusively on Windows 11. Furthermore, there’s a larger Lenovo Legion Go model available at Best Buy for a starting price of $699.99.

There are two types of Allies available: One with an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor priced at $499.99 and a more powerful Z1 Extreme Ally which retails for $649.99. Additionally, it’s important to mention that the enhanced ROG Ally X is available at Best Buy starting from $799.99. This model comes with a Z1 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

Keep in mind that the ROG Ally often receives significant discounts (as much as $200 off at Best Buy) during sales events like Black Friday and Prime Day. On the other hand, the Legion Go gaming handhelds haven’t had as many generous price reductions. Therefore, if you plan to purchase a device during a sale period, you’re more likely to secure a better bargain with the ROG Ally.

It appears that the SteamOS Legion Go S is the most affordable option, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious individuals. On the other hand, among the Windows 11 Ally and Go S devices, the ROG Ally Z1 is the more economical handheld. Nevertheless, I’d suggest opting for the pricier $649.99 ROG Ally Z1 Extreme over the standard Z1 due to its lower cost compared to the Legion Go S. Therefore, considering the costs, the ROG Ally seems like the best value for money in this scenario.

For clarity, the reason why the Legion Go S Windows handheld comes at a higher price point is due to its superior features. Compared to the ROG Ally, it boasts a larger screen, dual Thunderbolt ports, more RAM, greater capacity SSD storage, and a larger battery. If you’re aiming for top-tier performance, the Legion Go S might just be the device you seek.

In summary, while the Legion Go S (SteamOS) has a lower price tag compared to the ROG Ally, if you’re after the best value, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is the way to go.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Performance

As an analyst, I’d like to point out that the AMD Z2 Go chip integrated into the Lenovo Legion Go S is a unique piece of custom silicon exclusive to Lenovo devices. Translation: You won’t find this specific chip in any other handheld device on the market.

We haven’t had a chance yet to evaluate the AMD Z2 Go chip and determine how it stacks up against its predecessors, the Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips. However, what we can say for certain is that the Z2 Go promises improved power efficiency compared to the Z1 Extreme. Yet, it may not be as potent as the Z1 Extreme when it comes to handling demanding games. Essentially, you might find the battery life of the Z2 Go to be longer, but high-end gaming performance could be less smooth.

It’s worth mentioning that the Go S boasts a 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, in contrast to the ROG Ally’s 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. A larger amount of memory and storage can significantly improve game performance, but we won’t truly understand the impact until we can test both systems side by side.

If you’re seeking a portable gaming device capable of running graphically intensive games smoothly, your best bet would be one equipped with a Z1 Extreme processor. At present, the more expensive ROG Ally fits this description since the Legion Go S available now sports a Z2 Go. However, there might be future Legion Go S configurations that offer a Z1 Extreme processor, so keep an eye out for updates in the market.

In summary, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme appears to deliver superior performance compared to the Legion Go S. But, it seems that the Legion Go S may outperform in terms of battery life. The true picture will be clear once both devices have undergone testing.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Display

As a researcher examining the Legion Go S models, I’ve noticed that they each boast an 8-inch LCD screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, touch-enabled for user convenience. This screen can achieve a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, offers a brightness of 500 nits, and boasts a swift refresh rate of 120Hz. Lenovo claims the display delivers a vibrant color gamut of 97% DCI-P3, though we’ll need to test it to confirm these specifications. Interestingly, Lenovo has taken lessons from its previous generation and ensured that the Legion Go S display is compatible with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology and native landscape mode—two features that should enhance the user experience significantly.

Simultaneously, the ROG Ally sports a compact 7-inch IPS LED touchscreen with an aspect ratio of 16:9, capable of reaching 1920 x 1080 resolution, maintaining the same brightness level of 500 nits, and refresh rate of 120Hz. In my personal colorimeter tests, the Ally’s screen displayed approximately 73% of P3 colors, although it looks impressive in real life. Notably, this device also embraces Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and native landscape orientation, enhancing its motion clarity during gaming sessions.

In a nutshell: The Legion Go S emerges victorious: Apart from boasting a bigger screen with VRR and native landscape support, this model seems to offer a more vibrant color range too.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Controls and ports

Comparing the ROG Ally and Legion Go S (Windows), they share a resemblance with several buttons, bumpers, triggers, and control placements being similar. Nevertheless, distinct features set the Go S apart, suggesting a superior design compared to the Ally.

One advantage of the Legion Go S is its Hall Effect joysticks, which are designed to avoid issues like drift, a problem not commonly encountered with the ROG Ally. However, it’s worth noting that there have been few reports suggesting drift with the ASUS handheld.

The Legion Go S also features a compact touchpad on its right side below the joystick, which is not available on the Ally model. Moreover, the Go S comes with adjustable trigger switches at the back for enhanced custom control. However, it’s worth noting that the ROG Ally has a fingerprint reader, although its performance can be inconsistent at times. Interestingly, the Legion Go 2 prototype includes a fingerprint reader as well.

As for the Legion Go 2, it boasts detachable controllers and a kickstand which the Legion Go S lacks. Notably, these are similarities shared with the Ally. For those intrigued, we invite you to explore the distinct features of both devices in our comprehensive comparison between the Legion Go 2 and Legion Go S.

As an analyst, I’d like to point out a notable difference between the two versions of the Go S: the SteamOS variant will feature a dedicated Steam button, whereas its Windows 11 counterpart comes equipped with a Legion Space key.

In comparison to the original ROG Ally, the Go S excels in its variety of ports. While the former features only one multi-purpose USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port that can be used with ASUS’s ROG XG Mobile eGPU accessory, the latter boasts two USB4 ports. This setup allows for simultaneous charging of the device through one port and connecting a different accessory via the second port.

In summary, the Legion Go S takes the crown for best controls and ports due to its Hall Effect joysticks, touchpad, adjustable trigger switches, and two USB4 type-C ports, making it more user-friendly compared to the other handheld.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Software and games

Similar to the Steam Deck, the SteamOS version of the Go S is designed primarily for seamless access to your Steam library with a console-like interface. However, this means it doesn’t come pre-configured to use other PC gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, Battle.net, Epic Games, etc. It’s possible to customize the Linux operating system to support these platforms, but it will require some effort on your part.

In essence, the Windows Go S model and ROG Ally function similarly to laptops, but without keyboards, as they both operate under Windows 11. This versatility allows you to browse other gaming platforms, download launchers, or access game files just like you would on a laptop. However, it’s worth noting that managing Windows 11, particularly on handheld devices, can be challenging for some users. If you encounter any issues, our team at Windows Central has plenty of guides to help you out.

On the Ally model, you’ll find Armoury Crate pre-installed, whereas the Go S version comes with Legion Space. These applications allow for system setting adjustments and serve as game launchers and stores. While each has its advantages, currently, Armoury Crate provides more customization options, such as VRAM adjustment. Interestingly, to alter VRAM settings on the Go S, you need to access the BIOS settings, which isn’t an optimal user experience.

Because both devices are equipped with AMD processors, it would be beneficial for you to employ AMD Software on your Windows handhelds. This software offers extra control over either system, allowing you to activate features like AMD Fluid Motion Frames 2 (AFMF 2), Anti-lag, and other performance-enhancing options.

As an onlooker, I find myself leaning towards the ROG Ally in this software and gaming duel. Despite Legion Go S boasting dual operating systems (SteamOS and Windows), it’s the Armoury Crate on the ROG Ally that truly shines with its extensive settings and customization options. So, when it comes to the Windows-based devices, I’d say the ROG Ally takes the lead.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Battery life

Handheld gaming devices are often criticized for their poor battery life.; It’s one of the weak points of these gadgets. In fact, the initial models of Windows 11 gaming handhelds, such as ROG Ally, usually don’t exceed an hour of playtime at maximum thermal power delivery when running graphically intensive games. This isn’t great.

It’s quite probable that the Go S device will endure longer than the Ally model mainly because it boasts a more substantial 55.5 Whr battery, while Ally has only a 40 Whr battery. Furthermore, the unique Z2 Go chip in the Go S is said to deliver superior energy efficiency compared to the Z1 Extreme chip found in the Ally.

In a nutshell: The Verdict on Battery Life:

While we can’t be absolutely certain without conducting tests, it seems highly probable that the Legion Go S will outperform the Ally in terms of battery life.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Grip ergonomics and comfort

From a tech enthusiast’s perspective, when I compare the ROG Ally and the Legion Go S directly, it’s clear that Lenovo’s device appears more circular. This is intriguing, given that the Ally seems significantly more rounded compared to the original, blockier Legion Go. Nevertheless, both devices boast impressive ergonomic designs, offering a comfort when held that might surprise you even more.

Compared to the Ally, the Go S is slightly larger and heavier. The Go S measures 11.77 inches in width, stands 5.02 inches tall, is 0.89 inches thick, and tips the scales at 1.61 pounds. On the other hand, the Ally has dimensions of 11.02 inches in width, 4.37 inches in height, 0.83 inches in depth, and weighs 1.34 pounds.

On the Legion Go S, the grip zone is more curved and wider, whereas the ROG Ally features a more angular design with a slanted section up front, providing a better fit for your palms. However, it’s worth noting that the larger back buttons on the Ally slightly encroach into the grip area, which can make it less comfortable to hold compared to the Legion Go S. This issue was addressed in the ROG Ally X model.

As a tech enthusiast, let me share my thoughts: Skimming through, the Legion Go S stands out as the Comfort Champion. The design of its casing is ergonomically superior, avoiding the inconvenience of gripping issues that the Ally’s back buttons seem to cause.

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Comparison chart

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Legion Go S vs ROG Ally: Which should I buy?

Eventually, choosing between the Legion GO S and the ROG Ally as my go-to gaming handheld boils down to some significant compromises. Both devices have their unique strengths, making the right choice depend on which aspects matter most to me in a gaming gadget:

1. If battery life is crucial for uninterrupted playtime, I might lean towards the Legion GO S, offering an impressive 20 hours of gameplay on a single charge.

2. On the other hand, if raw performance and a more versatile screen are my priorities, the ROG Ally could be the better choice, with its upgraded hardware and adjustable display.

Ultimately, both devices pack a punch in their respective areas, so the final decision will come down to personal preferences and gaming priorities.

The Legion Go S (Running SteamOS) stands as the most affordable choice and features a user-friendly design. Therefore, it’s an excellent pick for those with budget constraints or preferring a handheld device that functions like a console in terms of interface.

If what you’re after is a high-performing handheld device, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme could be your ideal choice. Although it may not boast top-notch battery life, it can handle many of today’s AAA games quite smoothly. Just keep in mind that if you play it while plugged in or connected to a docking station, you won’t need to fret about the battery life.

In summary, if you prefer devices with long battery life and don’t play graphically demanding games frequently, the Legion Go S (Windows) might be your ideal choice. It stands out with its custom chip that promises superior energy efficiency compared to the Ally’s chip. Furthermore, it boasts a larger battery capacity than ASUS’s device.

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2025-02-11 15:14