We Might See a Lenovo-Branded Gaming Handheld Soon

We suppose it was only a matter of time – following the rise and relative popularity of Windows-based gaming handhelds from brands like ASUS and AYA NEO, it’s now expected that Lenovo will soon launch its own portable gaming system. First spotted in a leak from tech site Windows Report, the device will most likely be released under Lenovo’s “Legion” gaming line, as the Lenovo Legion Go.

While we still haven’t gotten a full list of specs and hardware details, early reports have showcased several product renders, giving us a full view of the device’s design, as well as some pretty interesting details in terms of hardware components. The Legion Go is set to take on big names like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, but what can we expect from it?

External Design

As seen on Windows Report’s renders, the Lenovo Legion Go looks like it will come with a rather thick build, something that’s to be expected given the amount of components inside. The device’s large profile is also unsurprising given what we’ve seen on market-available portable systems like the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck, although we do hope it isn’t too heavy in actual usage. The front features a massive 8-inch touch display, which is predicted to feature either a 16:9 or 16:10 aspect ratio.

If there ever was a stand-out element to the Legion Go’s design, it would be the removable controller grips on the left and right sides, something that we’ve seen on the likes of the Nintendo Switch, and subsequently the Razer Handheld. It’s interesting that Lenovo has adopted this design, which means that the handheld might come with a monitor output feature or at least a tabletop mode, allowing for remote control with the controller grips. The Legion Go also features a kickstand at the back, another feature we’ve previously seen on the Switch and Microsoft Surface devices.

Other hardware elements include expandable storage via a micro SD card slot, and even a 3.5mm audio jack for use with headphones and audio output peripherals. There’s also an exhaust port for thermal cooling, placed on the rear panel of the handheld.

A Full Set of Controls

Unlike the Nintendo Switch however, Lenovo has decided to cram a ton of control methods on the Legion Go. Of course, you get the usual setup that includes your directional buttons, action buttons, shoulder triggers, clickable analogue sticks, power and volume buttons, as well as start and select (or home and menu) buttons. The Legion Go does add a bit more to its bag of tricks, which really emphasises its purpose as a Windows-based gaming machine.

In order to accommodate the wealth of control inputs that most PC games use, the Legion Go will also feature additional trigger buttons on the sides and bottom of the device, as well as a mouse wheel, a trackpad, and even a mouse sensor. It’s also reported that the handheld will be powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, although it’s currently unknown what the device’s RAM and storage configurations are, or what the battery capacity will be.

In any case, the Lenovo Legion Go is definitely something to look forward to, especially for hardcore portable gaming fans. We’ll be sure to have more details soon.