Lenovo Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) vs Xbox Ally X: Which is the best handheld gaming PC?

In 2025, I spent dozens of hours running benchmarks to eventually write up my ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X review and Legion Go 2 (Windows) review. I even wrote up a comparison piece pitting the Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (Windows).

But now, thanks to Lenovo's announcement at CES 2026, we know that a new SteamOS variant of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 is coming to market.

I took some time comparing the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS)'s specs against the Xbox Ally X to explain how one of these devices is more impressive than the other. I've also discussed which one is a better buy for most people. Let's dive in.

Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Specs

Before we go any further, take a look at the individual specs for the Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 (SteamOS).

Where the Xbox Ally X is the successor to the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X made via a partnership between ASUS and Microsoft, the Legion Go 2 is the next-gen Legion Go flagship handheld from Lenovo.

Let's discuss how these spec differences change the playing experience.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Price

I won't be surprised if your eyes bulged while looking at the prices for the Xbox Ally X and the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS); these are premium handheld gaming PCs with high prices to fit their features.

The Xbox Ally X has been available at stores since October 2025, but the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) doesn't launch until June 2026. Additionally, Legion Go 2 (Windows) models have been sold out at most retailers for a while now, as of the time of writing.

The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) has a higher starting price of $1,199.99 compared to the Xbox Ally X, which is $999.99 at Best Buy; the reason being that Lenovo's handheld has several features that ASUS ROG's does not (we'll go into that more later).

For some reason, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is also more expensive than the starting price of the Legion Go 2 (Windows), which has a starting price of $1,099.99 at Best Buy.

Now, it's worth noting that both ASUS ROG and Lenovo offer less expensive handheld gaming PCs (Xbox Ally and Legion Go S), but the Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 are their flagship devices, so that's why they are so costly.

PRICE WINNER: There's no denying that the Xbox Ally X has a lower price point. Still, the Legion Go 2 offers many features that the Xbox Ally X doesn't have, so you should consider which one fits your needs best.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Performance and configurations

Both the Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) utilize the latest AMD Ryzen Z2 series chip — both APUs (accelerated processing units) feature 8 cores and 16 threads with Zen 5 architecture, as well as 16 GPU cores with RDNA3.5 architecture. However, the key difference is that the Xbox Ally X APU has an AI-CPU while the Legion Go 2 does not.

What this means is that, when solely comparing the chips, the Xbox Ally X's APU is likely better suited to handling certain tasks than the Legion Go 2's APU, since the AI processor's NPU (neural processing unit) can take some of the load off of the CPU and GPU to help the system run more efficiently. Still, the processor isn't the only thing that determines a handheld's overall performance.

Since this Legion Go 2 model's non-AI processor is still a very powerful handheld chip and the device runs SteamOS, it's likely that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is still a more efficient device than the Windows Xbox Ally X.

The reason being, SteamOS is better optimized for handhelds. For instance, swapping Windows with SteamOS on the Xbox Ally X saw the handheld increase FPS (frames per second) by as much as 32% while also improving FPS stability and resume times (thanks, Tom's Hardware). As such, I expect the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) will offer better performance than the Xbox Ally X.

We don't fully know what memory and storage configurations will be available for the Legion Go 2, but we do know there will be up to a whopping 32GB LPDDR5X-8000 MHz RAM and up to a huge 2TB M.2 2242 SSD compared to the Xbox Ally X's 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 MHz RAM and 1TB M.2 2280 SSD.

To be clear, the Xbox Ally X's memory and storage are more than enough for handheld gaming, but more memory and more storage are especially helpful for people who play a lot of AAA games.

Additionally, unless there's been some big shakeup, I'm going to assume that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) will offer faster SSD read and write speeds than Xbox Ally X's SSD, given that in my own SSD testing, all of Lenovo's handhelds have been faster than the SSDs in their direct ASUS ROG competitors —including Legion Go S vs ROG Ally and Legion Go (Windows) vs Xbox Ally X.

Just keep in mind that the best gaming handhelds are in no way as powerful as the best gaming laptops or best gaming desktops since handhelds trade off portability for power.

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⚠️ Warning for DIYers and customization enthusiasts: I'm not expecting the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) to have the best upgradeability, considering that when I opened my Windows model, I found that the Legion Go 2 (Windows) wasn't designed with upgradability in mind. It would take more work than many other handhelds just to swap out the SSD. But I'm sure that won't stop many of you from doing it anyway.

This is one of the areas where the Xbox Ally X is better. It's much easier to access the SSD and swap it out. What's more, WD_BLACK has designed SSDs exclusively for Xbox Ally X, so it was specifically designed for upgrading.

Of course, if you don't like opening your devices, both of these handhelds can have their storage expanded using the best microSD cards.

PERFORMANCE & STORAGE WINNER: These are both powerful handhelds, but the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is likely the better performer given that SteamOS is more efficient and Lenovo's handheld SSDs have typically been faster than ASUS ROG's.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Display

There's no beating around the bush here. The Legion Go 2's 8.8-inch OLED touchscreen is basically better than the Xbox Ally X's 7-inch IPS touchscreen in every way. In fact, the Legion Go 2 has the best display of any handheld to date.

In addition to being larger, Lenovo's screen has a wider color gamut, deeper contrast, crisper resolution, and a higher refresh rate than its competitor. What this means is that game scenes look richer, with more details and better motion clarity on Legion Go 2.

RELATED: IPS LCD vs OLED vs tandem OLED vs QD-OLED vs QLED vs AMOLED vs Mini LED: Which is the best display?

It's also worth noting that the Xbox Ally X's panel has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is typically preferred for most gaming needs. Meanwhile, the Legion Go 2's screen has a 16:10 aspect ratio, like the Steam Deck. This makes Lenovo's display larger vertically, making it more ideal for certain strategy games and general PC usage.

Neither aspect ratio is bad per se, but some people have strong preferences, so it's something to keep in mind.

DISPLAY WINNER: The Legion Go 2 OLED screen is much better than the Xbox Ally X's IPS display. It's larger, has a higher refresh rate, higher top resolution, better color gamut, and deeper contrast.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Buttons, joysticks, and grip

In general, the overall layout and control options on these devices are very similar, but there are a few key differences when it comes to features and technologies.

As you can see from the pictures, both handhelds have triggers, bumpers, ABXY buttons, various menu buttons, and a D-Pad, but only the Legion Go 2 has anti-drift Hall Effect joysticks, whereas the Xbox Ally X has standard analog sticks. Additionally, the Legion Go 2 has a touchpad on its right side, while the Xbox Ally X doesn't have any at all. Some people prefer the fine control that touchpads offer for game menus and certain games on handhelds.

One of the biggest complaints many people have with all handhelds is hand cramping and wrist fatigue. Handhelds might be relatively small devices, but gripping a top-heavy device and forcing it to tilt up slightly at your face can cause discomfort. My pinky fingers often go numb playing certain handhelds. The 1.57-pound Xbox Ally X and the larger 2.03-pound Legion Go 2 both found ways to assuage this pain, but using very different methods.

Xbox Ally X's most physical defining characteristic is its long, thick grips, which were designed after the Xbox controller. In my opinion, this design definitely makes it the most comfortable handheld to actually hold in handheld mode. Of course, Xbox Ally X only has handheld mode, while Legion Go 2 also offers a far less hand-straining tabletop mode.

The original Legion Go was a rather uncomfortable handheld for me to hold, but this newer Legion Go 2 has a far more rounded design with TrueStrike Controllers that feel nicer in your hands thanks to their improved ergonomics.

By detaching the Legion Go 2's TrueStrike Controllers, popping out the tablet's kickstand, and playing in the aforementioned tabletop mode, your hands will only deal with a combined 0.46 pounds of weight from the controllers. What's more, if you connect the Legion Go 2 to your living room TV via a docking station (like my favorite JSAUX 6-in-1 Docking Station $39.99 at Amazon), you already have controllers ready to go instead of needing to find an external one.

Finally, there is one last major design difference between the two devices. It might seem like a simple thing, but having a kickstand turns a handheld into more of an entertainment device. So out of the box, I don't have to prop the Legion Go 2 up against anything when I want to stream Netflix or skim YouTube, but I do have to do this with Xbox Ally X.

For this reason, I recommend grabbing an accessory like the dBrand ROG Xbox Ally X Killswitch at Best Buy to give your Xbox Ally X a kickstand.

By the way, there is a power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader on top of the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), but SteamOS doesn't support native biometric login, so fingerprint login is unsupported. The Xbox Ally X's power button is also a fingerprint reader, but it isn't very reliable. It's failed to accurately scan my finger several times, leading me to log in via pin much of the time.

CONTROLS & GRIPS WINNER: Once again, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is the winner. It might weigh more, but you can put it in tabletop mode to put less strain on your hands and wrists. It also offers two features the Xbox Ally X doesn't have: Hall Effect joysticks that won't drift and a touchpad.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Compatible games & Operating system

The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) and Xbox Ally X offer a night and day user experience since the former runs Valve's Linux-based operating system, while the latter runs Microsoft's program.

Many people prefer SteamOS to Windows since, as I said previously, it is far more efficient for gaming and offers a simplified, console-like interface that feels far more conducive to a handheld experience. Still, Windows offers some features and ease of mind that you might prefer.

Microsoft launched a new Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) with the Xbox Ally X that was designed to reduce Windows bloat and allow the handheld to run better, but the Xbox App interface really isn't great, and it's not as efficient as SteamOS. Now, Microsoft will be releasing more FSE updates that could improve this experience, but there's still a lot of work to do.

Then there's the whole matter of game services and game compatibility.

Out of the box, Xbox Ally X owners can easily exit Xbox FSE to access a web browser and navigate to dozens of gaming services (Epic Games, Battle.net, Steam, and more). Meanwhile, out of the box,

SteamOS does have a desktop mode, but it might be daunting for people who aren't familiar with Linux (but there are plenty of helpful guides online to help with that).

Meanwhile, SteamOS's default handheld mode is only intended to access your Steam library out of the box. Of course, you can make it so your Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) can access other game services if you follow my guide on how to install Decky Loader on SteamOS handhelds; it just takes a bit more work.

One thing I love about the Xbox Ally X is how much setting customization it provides. It's Armoury Crate utility software offers far more options than Legion Go 2's Legion Space program, so I can get my system running the way I want. For instance, I can manually change Xbox Ally X VRAM very easily, but the more complicated process for updating the previous Windows Legion Go 2 VRAM involves going into the BIOS. It's possible the SteamOS variant will use a different method.

Another thing to note is that fully updating the Xbox Ally X can be a nightmare compared to Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) since you have to install updates in Windows Settings, Armoury Crate, and AMD Software. Meanwhile, SteamOS updates are done within SteamOS's system settings menu.

As for game compatibility, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) can play a wide range of titles from small indies to the latest AAA games that meet its system requirements.

However, the truth is that most games are specifically designed for Windows and not Linux. SteamOS utilizes Proton, a compatibility layer to make Windows games work on its operating system. While Proton keeps getting better every year, some programs and games still don't work well on SteamOS handhelds.

For example, most anti-cheat software isn't compatible with SteamOS. So, games that require anti-cheat kernels like Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Battlefield 6, Valorant, and more cannot be played on Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) unless you find a workaround. Even then, I don't recommend using these fixes since it's very easy for an anti-cheat to mistake your workaround for a cheat and permanently ban your account.

In the end, you'll want to consider what type of games you intend to play on your handheld and what kind of experience you want. Then, make a purchase based on which handheld suits your needs best.

SOFTWARE WINNER: This is the trickiest category to declare a winner, since it's largely a matter of preference. The Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) generally offers a better interface and gaming experience, especially if you're willing to learn how to use Linux. However, more games are compatible with Windows, and it's easier to access a web browser and any gaming service on the Xbox Ally X right out of the box.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Battery life

Since I haven't been able to run the 74Whr Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) battery through battery life testing yet, I cannot say for sure how it matched up to the 80Whr Xbox Ally X battery's life. I'll conduct testing and update this section as soon as I can.

That said, I'm confident the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) will last longer than ASUS ROG's handheld based on the battery life testing I did on the Legion Go 2 (Windows). As seen in the chart below, the Windows variant lasted longer than Xbox Ally X when playing games at max and lowest TDP, but didn't last as long when being used like a computer.

Thing is, SteamOS is far more efficient than Windows, allowing a handheld's battery to stretch further on one charge. So, if the Windows Legion Go 2's battery life was already better than the Xbox Ally X in many ways, the SteamOS variant must be even better.

Once again, I'll run the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) through battery life testing and update this section with the results as soon as I get my hands on it.

BATTERY LIFE WINNER: It's very likely that the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) offers better battery life than the Xbox Ally X since it has a less power-hungry operating system.

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Xbox Ally X vs Legion Go 2 (SteamOS): Which should I buy?

We've compared these handhelds from design ergonomics to features, and even operating systems to game compatibility. In general, the Legion Go 2 (SteamOS) is certainly the more impressive device with Hall Effect joysticks, the beloved SteamOS operating system, a far better OLED display, detachable controllers, an FPS mode, and, likely, better battery life (benchmark testing coming soon). These are all things you should expect from a premium handheld created by the biggest PC manufacturer in the world.

If you're willing to wait until June and don't mind spending more money for a Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), then you're going to get a fantastic handheld gaming PC that's far more powerful than a Steam Deck and offers more versatility than any of its handheld gaming PC rivals.

But that doesn't make the Xbox Ally X a bad handheld; I still love it, even if the Legion Go 2 is more eye-catching. Truth is, they offer such different features that they suit very different use cases.

If you want to save some money and care more about those meaty grips and ensuring Windows game compatibility, then the Xbox Ally X is the handheld to get. Plus, it's actually available right now, so there's no wait.

Of course, if your biggest gripe about Xbox Ally X is Windows 11, you can always buy this handheld and then use my guide to install SteamOS on it. You'll get the best of both worlds.

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