In 2025, two Windows handhelds dominate the portable gaming scene the ROG Ally Xbox X and the Lenovo Legion Go. Both offer console-tier gaming in your hands, but which one fits your playstyle? Today we’re diving into performance, display, battery, design, software, and price to help you decide. Grab a snack, hit that like button, and let’s get into it.
Performance
Let’s kick it off with power. The ROG Ally Xbox X runs on AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme and 24GB of RAM plenty of headroom for AAA titles. It pushes Forza Horizon 5 at around 50 FPS on medium settings using Turbo Mode.
The Legion Go, depending on the model, uses either the Z1 Extreme or the newer Z2 Go chip, with 16 to 32GB RAM. It manages about 45 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at medium settings, but its thermal design doesn’t keep up as well under heavy load. Both handle indie games just fine, but for demanding games and smoother multitasking, the Ally takes the lead. Ally X wins for raw performance and thermal consistency.
Display
Now, display Legion Go goes big. An 8.8-inch QHD+ (2560×1600) panel at 144Hz with 97% DCI-P3 coverage makes Baldur’s Gate 3 look stunning. But higher resolution comes at a performance cost.
The Ally Xbox X uses a 7-inch Full HD (1080p) screen at 120Hz with VRR support. It’s smaller, but still sharp, and VRR helps reduce stutters in fast-paced games like DOOM Eternal. It also hits 500 nits of brightness—solid for daylight use. Legion Go wins for immersive visuals; Ally X for fluid performance.
Battery Life
Battery life? Big factor. The Ally X packs a massive 80Wh battery roughly two hours of Halo Infinite on Turbo. Drop to low TDP and you’ll stretch it to four hours on light games like Stardew Valley.
The Legion Go houses a 55.5Wh battery expect about 1.5 hours in heavy use, 3 hours tops for lighter games. It charges quickly, but still shorter play sessions.
Design and Comfort
The Ally X weighs about 678g. It’s lighter, with comfortable grips that feel good for long sessions. The controls mimic Xbox layouts responsive and familiar. No trackpad, though.
The Legion Go is heavier at 854g but brings detachable controllers and a kickstand—awesome for tabletop gaming or couch co-op in Overcooked. Hall-effect sticks, gyro, and a built-in trackpad help with Windows navigation, but the heft makes handheld use a little tiring. Ally X wins for handheld comfort; Legion Go wins for versatility.
Software
Both run Windows 11, meaning full access to Steam, Game Pass, Epic, and more.
But here’s the difference ROG Ally X has Armoury Crate SE, a clean, fast UI that helps with performance tuning, fan controls, and quick game launch.
The Legion Go uses Legion Space, which feels clunkier and slower in comparison. Most users bypass it entirely and jump into Steam Big Picture. That trackpad on the Legion helps with Windows, but Ally’s better software polish makes the experience smoother. Ally X wins for a better out-of-the-box UI.
Price
Here’s where things get interesting. Legion Go starts at $699 for the 512GB model or $749 for 1TB. For a big screen and modular design, that’s solid value.
ROG Ally X is more premium $799 for 1TB, or $899 for 2TB. But you’re getting a bigger battery, better RAM, and a smoother OS layer. If you’re on a tight budget, Legion saves you a hundred bucks money you could spend on Among Us or Cuphead. But if you’re streaming, editing, or gaming longer on a charge, the Ally earns its price. Legion Go wins on value; Ally X justifies the extra spend.
Final Verdict
So If you want premium comfort, better battery, and slicker software, the ROG Ally Xbox X takes it. It’s great for students juggling gaming and school, or creators needing stable performance on the go. But if you love a big screen, detachable controls, and saving a bit of cash, the Lenovo Legion Go is still a strong pick—especially for tabletop or media-heavy gaming.
