The Best Handheld Is… Steam Deck OLED Vs ROG Ally Vs Legion Go
# A Comprehensive Comparison of Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go
## Introduction
The world of handheld gaming PCs is booming, with several devices capturing the attention of enthusiasts. Among these, the **Steam Deck OLED**, **ROG Ally**, and **Lenovo Legion Go** stand out as the most popular choices in the US market. In this article, we will dive deep into each device, examining their specifications, performance, battery life, display quality, and more. By the end of this comparison, you’ll have a clear understanding of which device might be the best fit for your needs.
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## Specifications Overview
### Steam Deck OLED
- **Processor**: Custom AMD APU (6nm Zen 2 architecture) with four cores and eight threads, clocked up to 3.5 GHz.
- **Graphics**: RDNA 2-based iGPU with 8 compute units, running at 1600 MHz.
- **Storage Options**: 512 GB (starting at $549) or 1 TB (starting at $649). Supports Micro SD expansion for additional storage.
- **RAM**: 16 GB LPDDR4x memory, running at 6400 MT/s.
- **Display**: 7-inch OLED screen with 800p resolution, 90 Hz refresh rate, HDR support, and peak brightness of 1000 nits.
- **Battery Life**: 50 Wh battery, supporting up to 309 minutes of runtime at max performance.
- **Weight**: 640 grams (with controllers attached).
### ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme)
- **Processor**: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU (7nm Zen 4 architecture) with eight cores and 16 threads, boosted up to 5.1 GHz.
- **Graphics**: RDNA 3-based iGPU with 12 compute units, running at 2700 MHz.
- **Storage Options**: Fixed 512 GB storage (starting at $699), but supports Micro SD expansion for additional storage.
- **RAM**: 16 GB LPDDR5x memory, running at 7500 MT/s.
- **Display**: 7-inch IPS screen with 1080p resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Supports FreeSync for tear-free gaming.
- **Battery Life**: 40 Wh battery, supporting up to 87 minutes of runtime at max performance.
- **Weight**: 608 grams (with controllers attached).
### Lenovo Legion Go
- **Processor**: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU (same as ROG Ally).
- **Graphics**: RDNA 3-based iGPU with 12 compute units, running at 2700 MHz.
- **Storage Options**: 512 GB (starting at $699) or 1 TB (starting at $749). Supports Micro SD expansion for additional storage.
- **RAM**: 16 GB LPDDR5x memory, running at 7500 MT/s.
- **Display**: 8.8-inch IPS screen with 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate.
- **Battery Life**: 49.2 Wh battery, supporting up to 96 minutes of runtime at max performance.
- **Weight**: 854 grams (with controllers attached).
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## Performance Testing
### CPU Performance
The **ROG Ally** and **Lenovo Legion Go**, both powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, dominate in raw CPU power. In Geekbench 6 testing:
- **ROG Ally**: Single-core score of 2440 and multi-core score of 10703 at 25 watts.
- **Lenovo Legion Go**: Similar performance to the ROG Ally due to the same hardware.
- **Steam Deck OLED**: While it has a custom AMD APU, its performance is limited by a 15-watt TDP cap. In Geekbench 6 testing, it scored a single-core of 1126 and multi-core of 3918.
### GPU Performance
The **ROG Ally** and **Lenovo Legion Go** also excel in graphics performance thanks to their RDNA 3-based iGPUs:
- At 25 watts, the ROG Ally achieved impressive frame rates in gaming benchmarks.
- The Steam Deck OLED, limited to 15 watts, struggled slightly but still held its own in lower settings.
### Gaming Performance
Testing was conducted across several games:
- **Cyberpunk 2077**: Steam Deck OLED (15W) – 51.3 FPS; ROG Ally (15W) – 51.02 FPS; Legion Go (15W) – 43.7 FPS.
- **Forza Horizon 5**: Steam Deck OLED – 69 FPS; Legion Go – 76 FPS; ROG Ally – 86 FPS.
- **Mortal Kombat 1**: Steam Deck OLED – 51 FPS; Legion Go – 56 FPS; ROG Ally – 57 FPS.
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## Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor for handheld gaming PCs. Here’s how the devices compare:
- **Steam Deck OLED**: Clearly the leader, with up to 309 minutes of runtime at max performance.
- **ROG Ally**: Limited to 87 minutes due to its smaller battery and higher power draw.
- **Lenovo Legion Go**: Offers 96 minutes, slightly better than the ROG Ally but still far behind the Steam Deck.
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## Display Quality
The display is a key component for any handheld gaming device. Here’s a breakdown:
- **Steam Deck OLED**: Features an stunning 7-inch OLED screen with HDR support and peak brightness of 1000 nits. It offers the best viewing angles and color accuracy.
- **ROG Ally**: Uses a 7-inch IPS screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and FreeSync technology, providing excellent visuals but falling short of the OLED panel.
- **Lenovo Legion Go**: Boasts an 8.8-inch IPS screen with a 144 Hz refresh rate. While it offers great visuals in docked mode, its larger size makes it less practical for handheld use.
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## Conclusion
Each of these devices has its strengths:
- **Steam Deck OLED** excels in battery life and display quality, making it ideal for those who prioritize portability and screen quality.
- **ROG Ally** offers the best balance of performance and portability, with excellent gaming capabilities and a premium display.
- **Lenovo Legion Go** stands out for its high refresh rate and detachable controllers but struggles with shorter battery life.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities. If you want the best screen and longest runtime, go with the Steam Deck OLED. For high-performance gaming and a larger screen, consider the Legion Go. And if you want a device that offers both portability and power, the ROG Ally is a great option.
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This concludes our detailed comparison of the Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. Whether you're a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, one of these devices is sure to meet your needs!