Introduction
The handheld PC gaming market has matured fast — what was once a niche experiment is now a legitimate competitor to consoles and even laptops. With the launch of the Lenovo Legion Go 2, Lenovo aims to raise the bar for what it means to game on the go. In this review, we’ll dive into how the Legion Go 2 delivers across performance, display/ergonomics, versatility, and value, and whether it truly earns the title of “best all-round Windows handheld for gamers in 2025”.
What’s new in the Legion Go 2? Quick spec rundown
- Displays an 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen at 1920×1200 resolution (16:10) with a 144 Hz refresh rate, VRR support, and 500 nits brightness. Windows Central+2Gizmochina+2
- Processed by up to an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU (Zen 5 / RDNA 3.5 graphics) with the base model using the AMD Ryzen Z2. Gizmochina+1
- Memory and storage: up to 32 GB LPDDR5X and up to 2 TB PCIe M.2 SSD (plus microSD expansion in some reviews). Gaming Store+1
- Battery: 74 Wh internal battery — a meaningful upgrade over its predecessor. Windows Central+1
- Detachable TrueStrike controllers and built-in kickstand for multiple form factors (handheld, docked, tabletop). engadget.com+1
- Running Windows 11 out of the box, giving full PC gaming flexibility and broad software compatibility. Tom’s Guide+1
These core upgrades mark the Legion Go 2 as one of the most ambitious handheld gaming PCs yet.
What makes it stand out as an all-rounder
1. Display & visual experience
The 8.8-inch OLED screen with 144 Hz and VRR is a major differentiator. Reviewers noted the vivid colours and smooth motion bring AAA games to life. Tom’s Guide+1 The native resolution of 1920×1200 is slightly lower than some previous high-res handhelds, but it’s a smart trade-off — by choosing 1200p rather than 1600p or higher, Lenovo improves performance headroom and battery efficiency. Gizmochina+1
For gamers who value immersion — large screen, strong contrast, cinematic visuals — the Legion Go 2 delivers in spades.
2. Performance and hardware
With the Ryzen Z2/Z2 Extreme, the Legion Go 2 is designed to handle modern AAA games in a portable form. Benchmarks show meaningful gains over previous gen handhelds. NoobFeed The detachable controllers and landscape format support couch play, tabletop play, and handheld portability, making the device more versatile than traditional handhelds.
3. Versatility and form-factor
The inclusion of detachable controllers, USB-C ports, full Windows 11, microSD expansion, kickstand, and multiple usage modes make the Legion Go 2 more than just a portable console: it’s a full PC gaming handheld with flexibility. This means you can use it for gaming, productivity, streaming, or even as a compact desktop replacement in a pinch.
4. Battery and endurance improvements
Battery life has often been a weak point for high-power handhelds, but the Legion Go 2 addresses this with its 74 Wh cell. Early reviews suggest meaningful improvement over the prior model. NoobFeed While it may not rival ultra-efficient handhelds in runtime (you still trade power for portability), the upgrade brings the endurance into a more acceptable range for serious handheld use.
Considerations & potential downsides
No device is perfect, and the Legion Go 2 has a few factors buyers should weigh.
- Price: With a starting price of around US $1,049, this is a premium device. Windows Central+1
- Weight/size: At ~920 grams (around 2.03 lbs) with controllers attached, it’s heavier than some rival handhelds, making longer handheld sessions more tiring. Windows Central
- Windows 11 ecosystem: While Windows offers great flexibility, some reviews point out that handheld-optimized UI and controls still lag dedicated handheld consoles. Tom’s Guide
- Battery life under heavy load: Because it aims for high performance, heavy AAA gaming will still cut battery time noticeably — lighter games will fare much better. NoobFeed
Who is this device for?
If you are:
- A gamer who wants PC-level performance in handheld form
- Someone who values display quality (OLED + 144Hz + VRR)
- A user who wants a device capable of more than just gaming (productivity, streaming, portable PC work)
- Willing to invest in a premium device (~$1k range)
Then the Legion Go 2 is a strong candidate. If you prioritise ultra-lightweight portability, lowest possible cost, or simple plug-and-play console ease, there might be better options.
Verdict
In 2025, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 hits a sweet spot for many gamers — outstanding display, strong performance, flexible form-factor, and polished design. While it comes with a premium price and some trade-offs (weight, Windows ecosystem challenges), it arguably offers the most complete “Windows handheld” experience currently on the market.
If you’re looking for a device that can handle AAA PC games on the move, switch between handheld and dock/tabletop, and serve as both gaming and productivity hardware, the Legion Go 2 may very well be the best all-round Windows handheld for gamers this year.