Lenovo Android gaming handheld could take on Switch and Steam Deck

Lenovo Legion Play
(Image credit: Lenovo)

Lenovo already makes gaming phones so powerful that it requires a built-in fan, so the idea of a dedicated Android gaming device isn't so far-fetched.

Well, it looks as if Lenovo has — or did have — plans for a gaming handheld, one that's looking to take on the Nintendo Switch OLED. As first found by Liliputing's Brad Linder (h/t Gizmodo), the Lenovo Legion Play was meant to be announced earlier this year at Mobile World Congress 2021. How does Linder know that? Well, after looking at the source code for Lenovo's German and Japanese sites, he found a product description, as well as a few images.

"Designed for AAA gaming, the Lenovo Legion Play is the first Android cloud gaming console," the description reads. "The console lets users play hundreds of cloud games, stream their game library, or play mobile games. It features a 7" 16:9 FHD bezel-less display, HDR 10, built-in controllers, dual speakers, dual vibration, and 7000 mAh battery to provide the best gaming experience. Our developer program is open to all game developers. Coming soon in select markets."

Lenovo Legion Play leaked pictures.

(Image credit: Liliputing)

The Lenovo Legion Play really does look like a mix between a Steam Deck and a Nintendo Switch. While Lenovo's description claims it to be "bezel-less," when it's clearly not, it does have the markings of a solid handheld device. 

Unlike both the Steam Deck and Switch, the Legion Play would — or maybe will — featuring a full-HD display. It will also potentially have HDR 10, dual speakers, dual vibration and a chunky 7,000 mAh battery. 

Unfortunately, there's no information about the supposed handheld's specs. But, we suspect that it would likely be powered by a powerful Qualcomm SoC, similar to the one found on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Weirdly, according to Liliputing, there were also images on Lenovo's MWC 2021 site of a Legion 2 Pro gaming phone titled the Legion Phone Duel H2O. The concept phone would have 18GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and a giant watercooling block on the back. It looks totally impractical.

Imad Khan

Imad is currently Senior Google and Internet Culture reporter for CNET, but until recently was News Editor at Tom's Guide. Hailing from Texas, Imad started his journalism career in 2013 and has amassed bylines with the New York Times, the Washington Post, ESPN, Wired and Men's Health Magazine, among others. Outside of work, you can find him sitting blankly in front of a Word document trying desperately to write the first pages of a new book.

Read more
Lenovo Legion Go S
The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is the gaming handheld I’ve been waiting for
Lenovo Legion Go 2 on colored background
Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 is my most anticipated gaming handheld of 2025 — but this one thing has me worried
Lenovo Legion Go
Lenovo teases a new Legion Go with SteamOS at CES 2025 — here’s what we know
Tom's Guide
The best gaming handhelds of CES 2025
Lenovo Legion Go pictured with a Tom's Guide Killer Deal tag
Lenovo Legion Go just got a $50 price drop now that the Legion Go S is revealed
Tom's Guide
I’m finally giving handheld gaming PCs a chance this year — but it won’t be on Steam Deck
Latest in PC Gaming
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT
Where to buy AMD Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT — I recommend these retailers in US and UK
Alienware Aurora R16
11 insider tips to make your games fun faster (without a new GPU)
nvidia rtx 50 series
Where to buy RTX 5070 Ti — live updates and stock checker
Caves of Qud screenshot
This is the best RPG I've played since Baldur's Gate 3 — here's why
RTX 50 series GPUs
We tested Nvidia’s RTX 5090 desktop GPU — gaming performance gains are HUGE
RTX 50 series GPUs
I got an exclusive look at Nvidia’s RTX 50-Series GPUs — 5 big reveals
Latest in News
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
5 biggest iOS 19 rumors — here’s how Apple could transform your iPhone
Sonos logo on a smart speaker
Sonos halts work on rumored super streaming device — what's next?
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Thursday, March 13 (#641)
The cast of The Wizard of Oz
5 best kids' movies based on books to stream now
HomePod with display concept render
Apple HomePod with display now rumored for late 2025 launch
The Apple Watch Series 10 on display at the device's launch in September 2024
Apple Watch sales plummet 19% as smartwatch market declines for first time