Lenovo has unveiled an innovative twist on gaming devices with its Legion Go Fold Concept, a handheld gaming system featuring a foldable display. This Windows-powered gadget boasts a flexible POLED screen, detachable controllers reminiscent of Joy-Cons, and a folio case that transforms the device into a compact laptop.

The device offers versatility in its use; it can function like a traditional handheld gaming console with the screen folded to a manageable 7.7 inches and the controllers attached on the sides. For a more expansive experience, users can unfold the screen and reconfigure the controllers to any of the four edges, allowing gameplay in either vertical or horizontal formats.

In its vertical splitscreen mode, the device allows users to divide the display for multitasking, such as gaming on one side while keeping a chat window or guide open on the other. When fully extended horizontally, the screen offers an 11.6-inch viewing area in a 16:10 aspect ratio. Transitioning to a laptop mode involves detaching the controllers and positioning the device within a folio case equipped with a stand, keyboard, and trackpad. The controllers can also be combined into a single gamepad using a grip mount.

The Legion Go Fold offers multiple configurations, including turning one of its controllers into a vertical mouse, similar to other Legion Go devices. However, it lacks the ability to fold inwards to shield its screen, unlike clamshell designs such as the Nintendo DS or GameBoy Advance. The focus here is on providing a larger, more versatile gaming experience rather than portability. (Though larger devices have been attempted in the past.)

Under the hood, the Legion Go Fold is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Lunar Lake processor, supported by 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It features a 48Whr battery and a plastic-covered OLED display with a resolution of 2435 x 1712 and a 165Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the right controller incorporates a secondary circular touchscreen beneath the buttons, serving as both a touchpad and a supplemental display. This feature allows users to swipe through extracted UI elements from games, check a clock, monitor system stats, or display an animated GIF.

During a brief hands-on session, the device demonstrated a sharp display even though I only played less demanding games like Balatro. While the central crease in the foldable screen is noticeable, it becomes less distracting over time. The overall build felt somewhat delicate, with the detachment and reattachment of controllers being somewhat clunky. It is hoped that these aspects will be refined if the device reaches the consumer market.

The laptop mode was a pleasant surprise for me though. I did not expect a gaming handheld to double as a conventional computer you could get work done on. The Legion Go Fold’s case took quite a bit of fumbling before I set it up correctly, but it shouldn’t take too long to get used to if you actually lived with it.

Then again, I don’t know if anyone is going to be able to live with this thing — ever. I’d love for the Legion Go Fold to go from concept to real product like other out-there Lenovo ideas, but I shudder to think what it might cost. The Legion Go 2 is already priced well over $1,000. And with the ongoing RAMageddon crisis we’re living through, there’s no telling how much more expensive an actual Legion Go Fold would be if it came out in a year or more.

But even if it’s not the kind of foldable I expected, and even though it may never come out, it’s certainly cool. Now somebody please make a folding PC handheld that goes from kinda-big to really small. I think that’d be the one for me.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge