The Steam Deck may not have been the first microcomputer gaming handheld on the scene but it certainly led to an explosion in the market . Many stayed true to the childlike Steam Deck formula , but the Lenovo Legion Go hear something different . Here ’s how they compare .
We ’ve now reexamine both theSteam Deckand theLenovo Legion Go , cast both devices through their tempo for a couple of weeks and beyond . After our thorough examination , we ’ve get some cardinal comparisons to make to help oneself you decide which is good for you . This is Lenovo Legion Go versus Steam Deck .
Price and Availability
The Steam Deck OLED is now useable but this comparison is hold out to be focused on the even models , as we ’re yet to finish our review on the latest version .
you could blame the Lenovo Legion Go up for £ 699/$699 , coming with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Saratoga chip , 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD in spite of appearance . That ’s the only useable configuration presently .
Previously , the Steam Deck was available in three different version but , now , the OLED model is replacing two of the original LCD models . That means the regular Steam Deck is just uncommitted for £ 349/$399 , with a 7 nm AMD APU , 16 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD storage .
It ’s a mammoth conflict in price , meaning that will very well be a primal broker in the poser you choose . As we ’ll get into , the Legion Go does propose more sumptuousness features for its gamey price but , ultimately , the gaming experience is mostly comparable in terms of time value - for - money .
Display
Coming secondly only to the price in terms of key points of differentiation with these equipment are the displays . The Steam Deck make out with a rather canonical 7 - column inch 800p 60Hz presentation . generate its size , we were n’t disappoint by this exhibit though , it a similar means to how the original Nintendo Switch is perfectly passable . It ’s hopeful and offers solid contrast too . It just is n’t as near as an organic light-emitting diode , while also offer much lower firmness of purpose and refresh rate than the Legion Go .
The Legion Go comes with a Brobdingnagian 8.8 - column inch QHD+ 120Hz panel , though just like the Steam Deck it is still an LCD rather than an OLED . Nevertheless , the gravid size shit quite the difference . The Lenovo provides one of the most immersive handheld viewing experience around . However , devote the operation limitations , you do seldom take advantage of the full QHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate , but both do still allow higher option than the Steam Deck even when turned down .
Design and Controls
The design of the Lenovo Legion Go are hugely dissimilar , beyond both sporting a rather grim gloss . The Steam Deck is a no - frills machine , with its form feeling uncompromising , if a fleck cheap . It consider in at 640 Gram and standard 298 millimetre x 117 mm x 49 mm . equate that with the Legion Go that is heavier at 854 grams and larger at 298.83 mm x 131 mm x 40.7 mm . However , it is surprising to observe that the lower - powered , smaller show Steam Deck is actually the same breadth as the Legion Go and also come in at a bit thicker . Neither of these is the most portable handheld around , but the lower weightiness of the Steam Deck realize it less onerous to sway .
However , the Legion Go does feel like a higher quality machine to hold . But , that calibre does n’t be across the entire gimmick . In our reviews , we were impressed by how the controls of the Steam Deck felt , while the Legion Go did disappoint in how satisfying the buttons were to use . The Legion Go does tender more push to custom-make your experience as well as the benefit detachable controllers bring .
But , to again emphasise quality , the detaching mechanism is far from legato , even if the controls do bestow some delightful freedom . The FPS modal value , for using the right detachable accountant as a joystick - corresponding machine , does work excellent in game that command degenerate twitch responses though .
Performance and Software
Across our reach of psychometric test , we find gambling carrying out across these devices to be surprisingly corresponding , with Valve having done an fantabulous job in optimise its machine . There was typically just a small reward of between 2 - 5fps across many title when playing at the Steam Deck ’s maximum FHD+ resolution . That ’s quite a swelled win on value for Steam Deck , given the immense difference in price . However , the Legion Go does declare oneself access code to gamy resolving and faster refresh rate .
On the software package side of thing , the drug user experience is a clear profits for SteamOS . The flowing experience is far easier to sail then the Windows - found Lenovo handheld and its more often than not poor Legion Space first - party software . But , the Lenovo does give you panoptic access code to a range of gaming platforms , like the Xbox app and more .
Battery Life
The downcast demand of the hardware inside the Steam Deck do enable a longer bombardment liveliness than the Lenovo Legion Go . Across AAA claim , we find the Lenovo to last around 90 second while the Steam Deck could debase to two hours . Both handhelds can greatly stretch their stamp battery life history in small demand game , but we were able to eek more out of the Steam Deck at around eight hours .
Verdict
Across most central features , the Steam Deck is absolutely the good steal . For around half the cost , you get similar performance , more satisfying controls , a smoother user experience and a light weighting .
However , the Lenovo Legion Go brings certain ironware that assist it stand out from the crowd , and you may only access it by give the higher cost . The stall out features are that bigger display with its higher resolution and refresh rate , as well as the freeing detachable controls .
