Lenovo Legion Go 2 with SteamOS: is it worth 1,200 dollars
Lenovo unveiled a SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 at CES 2026, set to launch in June with a starting price of 1,199 dollars.
Is it worth paying three times the price of a Steam Deck for a handheld running the same operating system? Lenovo thinks so.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2, shipping in June with SteamOS instead of Windows, is clearly positioned above Valve’s handheld. The starting price is 1,199 dollars (about 141,000 dinars), nearly triple the 399-dollar Steam Deck LCD.
Lenovo revealed the new version at CES in January in Las Vegas. The hardware is identical to the Windows model already on sale. The difference is the software layer, and Windows has been a rough fit for most gamers on a handheld.
1. Large 8.8-inch OLED screen at 144Hz
The biggest difference against the Steam Deck is screen size and quality.
- Legion Go 2: 8.8-inch OLED panel, 1920 by 1200 resolution, up to 144Hz
- Steam Deck OLED: 7.4-inch screen, 90Hz refresh
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) is the technology that syncs the display refresh rate with the framerate from the GPU. Less tearing, smoother motion in fast scenes.
The size difference is immediately obvious. In-game text is easier to read, maps show more detail, and the OLED contrast is excellent. The cost is real weight and a footprint that takes up more space in a backpack.
2. The most powerful handheld silicon, for work and games
The top configuration ships with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU, 32 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD. The base model has 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD.
This hardware lets the Legion Go 2 run AAA titles the Steam Deck cannot push at a playable framerate. In practice:
- Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing: runs on the Legion, not on the Deck
- 2026 EA releases: solid on the Legion, with visible compromises on the Deck
- Standard titles at 1080p, 40 to 60 frames per second: very strong on the Legion
On the Steam Deck OLED, the same titles run at 800p with visible graphical concessions.
3. SteamOS instead of Windows, and what that means
Windows on a handheld is a problem. The screen is too small for the standard desktop experience. Drivers regularly hang. Windows itself eats significant resources in the background.
SteamOS is Valve’s Linux operating system tuned for small screens and controllers. It is faster, uses less battery, and does not push the desktop in your face before you start playing.
Lenovo’s move acknowledges that Windows on the original version was not ideal. Users were asking for a Linux option that works like a Steam Deck. Lenovo has given them one.
Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store all run through Valve’s Proton compatibility layer (a layer that lets Windows games run on Linux). That covers most of the modern catalog.
4. What this means for the handheld market
The Steam Deck OLED remains the best option for most players. Price, size and performance are balanced for the Steam catalog.
The Legion Go 2 is for buyers who want the maximum, with no compromises on screen quality or performance.
The ASUS ROG Ally X is the third option, with Windows and a slightly lower price than the Legion. The ROG Ally runs well, but Windows is still the weak link.
What this means for gamers in Serbia
The Steam Deck OLED is officially available in Serbia through Valve’s site. The LCD version starts around 569 euros (about 66,770 dinars), the OLED version 679 euros (about 79,700 dinars).
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 SteamOS edition will be available through Lenovo’s official partners in Serbia. Around 1,199 euros (roughly 140,700 dinars) is a realistic local price.
Account for customs duties if you order from outside the EU. Crossing the border to buy in Slovenia or Croatia is, for some buyers, more rational than ordering directly.
Is a SteamOS handheld worth three times the price of a Steam Deck?
For most gamers, no. The Steam Deck OLED does 80 percent of what the Legion Go 2 does, for a third of the price.
For anyone who wants 1080p handheld performance, the Legion Go 2 SteamOS is the best option on the market starting in June.
Our take: if you are replacing a worn-out Switch, get the Steam Deck OLED. If you must have the best, wait for the first independent reviews of the Legion in June.
Would you spend 140,000 dinars on a handheld, or would you settle for a Steam Deck?
