As it turns out, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X won’t be the only handheld gaming devices to get Xbox’s snazzy new user interface (UI). At its Innovation World event held in Berlin, Germany, over the weekend, Lenovo confirmed that its forthcoming Legion Go Gen 2 handheld will also get the Microsoft-powered facelift.
While Asus’s competing handhelds will launch with the new UI in October, Lenovo spokesperson Jeff Witt told The Verge that those using the Lenovo Legion Go Gen 2 won’t see the new “Xbox full-screen experience (FSE)” until Spring 2026. For what it’s worth, the Legion Go 2 is also expected to ship in October.
Witt also verified that the original Asus ROG Ally and Ally X will get the new UI, but did not confirm whether older Legion Go devices would also see the update.
About Lenovo’s all-new Legion Go 2
I’ve got a Lenovo Legion Go handheld myself — more specifically, Micro Center’s 2TB upgrade — but I’m not exactly rushing to replace the thing anytime soon. And while I’ll be the first to admit the just-announced Gen 2 offers some novelty, my experience with the existing hardware contextualizes new specs that might’ve otherwise appealed to me.
The OG Legion Go doesn’t look much different at first glance, but if you look closely, you’ll find improvements as well as drawbacks. Among those drawbacks? All four upcoming models’ wince-worthy prices:
- AMD Z2 / 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD — $1,099.99
- AMD Z2 / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD — $1,199.99
- AMD Z2 Extreme / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD — $1,349.99
- AMD Z2 Extreme / 32GB RAM / 2TB SSD — $1,479.99
Per Lenovo, the Legion Go Gen 2 will boast an 8.8″ OLED display, variable 144Hz refresh rate, 1920 x 1200 resolution, detachable controllers, dual ports, kickstand, trackpad, FPS mode, 74-watt-hour battery (Wh), and fingerprint reader. Sounds swell on paper, but you’re not missing much if your handheld is already up to snuff.
My 2TB Legion Go, which I nabbed in early 2024, cost me an eye-watering $800. And while the new base model’s OLED display and powerful battery call to me like sirens, its lower resolution (2560 x 1600 downgraded to 1920 x 1200), identical display size, 16 GB RAM, and higher weight (1.41 pounds to 2.03 pounds) don’t sell me on its four-figure sticker price.
Wait, does half a pound really matter? For my fellow small-handed gamers, it does. I’ve been painstakingly working my way through the Yakuza franchise, and after more than 90 minutes, I start to feel it. Carpal tunnel? Tennis elbow? Forget about it.
The detachable controllers get a handy new base this time, but they’re reportedly just as frustrating to handle. After Nintendo vastly improved its original Joy-Cons, I hoped the new Go controllers would get a similarly satisfying, magnetized click. The kickstand, 65W power cable, FPS mode capabilities, top-and-bottom ports, and trackpad can all be found on the older handhelds, though the new trackpad is slightly larger.
Check out our spec comparison:
Tech Pricing Concerns
Consumer technology has been on a wild rollercoaster ride since the start of the year. As the Trump administration rang in its second term and toyed with global tariff rates, those on the industry’s cutting edge are left to pay the price, both literally and figuratively. With the games industry’s “Big 3” — Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation — all announcing varying price hikes on home consoles, peripherals, games, and subscription-based offerings since tariff talk first took off, I wasn’t shocked to see an increase. I was, however, bewildered to see just how much the Gen 2 will cost. Naturally, consumer responses to the handheld’s retail value have been less than enthusiastic.
Lenovo’s gaming division VP, Volker Düring, issued a response after buyers spent the weekend criticizing the device’s higher price (translation via PC Guide):
“The Legion Go 2 is expensive because of the high-performance processor, OLED display, detachable controllers, and ergonomic design that make it so powerful. Therefore, the Legion Go 2 targets enthusiast gamers who are willing to invest in their hobbies. They value customizing their own hardware and building their own setups, and they choose such hardware even if it is expensive.
“It’s true that the market for these enthusiast products may not be that large, but we believe it is an important market for increasing our value. For those looking for a more affordable option, the Legion Go S series focuses on the out-of-the-box experience and also offers a SteamOS model.”
I’ll cross my fingers for a price reduction, but I won’t count on it. Check out Lenovo’s new Legion Go Gen 2 here:
A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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