The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is now available for pre-order, but it comes with a price tag that exceeds initial expectations. Originally, Lenovo announced a launch price of $499.99, but current listings show the device starts at $549.99.

This rise in cost might deter potential buyers, though the increase isn’t drastic. Lenovo has yet to comment on the price hike.

Speculations suggest that factors like tariffs could be at play, mirroring trends seen in the market where electronics prices have been on the rise, particularly for GPUs. The higher cost of the Legion Go S, aligning now with Valve’s base OLED model of the Steam Deck, could disappoint some customers.

Despite the $50 increase, the Legion Go S might still offer better value compared to the Steam Deck OLED, especially for those focused on performance. While it lacks an OLED display, it boasts a more powerful processor, which may enhance gameplay.

Testing of the Windows version of the Legion Go S indicated that the Ryzen Z2 Go chip didn’t impress as much, leading to questions about whether the SteamOS variant will outshine the Steam Deck OLED. SteamOS is generally lighter and requires fewer resources than Windows 11, leaving room for improvement.

Additionally, the Legion Go S features enhancements such as Hall Effect joysticks and a larger display. Even if the Steam Deck OLED outperforms it, the Legion Go S may appeal to users seeking these specific upgrades.

Pre-orders are open at Best Buy, and the official release date is set for May 25. Although there’s a wait of roughly two months, many believe that the updated functionality of the Legion Go S may be worth it, despite the price increase.