Lenovo readies Legion Go 2 with powerful Ryzen Z2 Extreme

According to a recent post by mobile leaker Evan Blass, the second iteration of the Legion Go 2 gaming handheld (which has yet to receive an official name) will be announced. MSI has already launched its Claw A8 gaming handheld that utilizes the Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU, and ASUS is reportedly set to disclose pricing for its new ROG Xbox Ally handheld in October, both of which leverage the Z2 Extreme chip from AMD.

The upcoming Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the original Legion Go, as well as its Legion Go S models, which run either Windows 11 or Steam OS. The previous handhelds are powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, which has just 4 cores and 8 threads, along with an RDNA 3-based Radeon 780M integrated GPU.

In contrast, the new Lenovo Legion Go 2 is driven by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which increases the core count to 8 cores and 16 threads, utilizing the latest Zen 5 architecture (as opposed to the Zen 4-based Ryzen Z1 chips). The upgraded Z2 Extreme APU also features enhanced RDNA 3.5-based GPU cores with the Radeon 890M, complemented by 32GB of LPDDR5-7500 memory, and an 8.8-inch display boasting a resolution of 2560 x 1600 (1600p) with an OLED panel and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate.

This advancement positions the Legion Go 2 handheld as a strong competitor to the MSI Claw A8 and ASUS Xbox Ally handhelds, with its impressive 8.8-inch 1600p 144Hz OLED display, larger memory options (32GB), and storage capabilities of up to 2TB. Similar to its earlier model, this handheld will come with a detachable controller. These controllers will offer mouse-like functionality, allowing the device to be used for games that typically require a mouse. After all, not every PC game is perfectly suited for a gamepad.

We can expect full details from Lenovo regarding its new Legion Go 2 gaming handheld next week at IFA 2025, which begins on September 5. On the other hand, if you're in search of a handheld that's already established, refined for optimal performance, and designed for serious gaming on the move, the ROG Ally X emerges as a standout option. With its extended battery life, enhanced ergonomics, and complete Windows functionality, it encapsulates what the future of handheld gaming should strive for. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.