Last September, within the IFA exhibition, Lenovo introduced a whole range of treats for gamers. The lineup of novelties included the Legion Go portable console, a top-of-the-line 16-inch laptop from the Legion series, the 3D monitor ThinkVision, updated gaming software, and also the fresh model of Lenovo Legion Glasses. And this review is dedicated precisely to them. Technically, Legion Glasses represent a portable monitor that you can always carry with you. Its format and capabilities complement the concept of mobile gaming, which is actively developing in all directions today. Let’s see what this “beast” is, how convenient it is, and what it can be used for.
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Technical specifications and price of Lenovo Legion Glasses
- Displays: 2×0.49 inches, micro-OLED, 1920×1080 each, 60 Hz, TÜV Low Blue Light and TÜV Flicker Reduced certification
- Sound: 2 speakers, stereo
- Controls: 4 buttons
- Cable: non-removable, USB Type-C
- Sensors: IMU, proximity, gyroscope
- Dimensions: 155×79×50 mm
- Weight: 96 g
- The price on Lenovo’s official website is $330
What’s in the package
Lenovo Legion Glasses arrived in a compact and cute branded box, inside of which there was a lot of interesting stuff besides the glasses themselves. By the way, they come with a case that is similar in quality to the one that came with the Legion Go. It has a sturdy frame, textile surface on the outside and inside, and a zipper closure. There’s a small silicone loop with the brand logo at the back, and inside, there’s also a pocket where you can conveniently store accessories for the device.
Also included in the package is a set of three nose pads with wide silicone cushions in different sizes to allow for a personalized fit. Accessories for the temples are also provided. The glasses themselves have silicone tips with a groove for the cable, so it doesn’t interfere during use. Additionally, there are two anti-slip temple extenders needed for better securing the glasses on the head.
Of course, they didn’t forget about the user manual and a microfiber cloth for device care. But there’s one more interesting thing here. Additionally, the package includes two plastic parts: one black, resembling a frame element, and the other transparent, resembling the lenses of the glasses. What are they for? If you use prescription glasses in your daily life, these parts will come in handy for ordering lenses at an optician with a specially shaped frame. They will then be directly installed into the Legion Glasses, as using the device with your regular glasses would be inconvenient. Thanks to this solution, users won’t have to reinvent the wheel if they need vision correction tools.
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Lenovo Legion Glasses design and materials
In essence, Lenovo Legion Glasses look like quite bulky sunglasses, resembling the Wayfarer model. They chose a classic shape for the accessory, presumably to appeal to the majority of users. Of course, they are larger in size and thickness because the device is not primarily about sun protection, but they are not overly cumbersome.
The black case of the portable monitor combines high-quality dense plastic (glossy on the outer “lenses” and matte on the frame), silicone and metal for decorative elements on the sides, and the material of the main lenses looks like acrylic from the inside. The quality of workmanship and materials, as expected, is high. The outer lenses are translucent, so you can partially see through the screens when the device is not in use. Details are not particularly visible, but light sources, such as a window or PC screen, are clearly visible. The blackout is necessary to create a movie theater effect when using Legion Glasses.
The temples are foldable, as is typical of regular glasses. On the left temple, you can see the name of the series “Legion” and a metal decorative plate where it connects to the main body. A little further along, you can see the cable output (it is not detachable) and a removable silicone tip for cable direction. At the bottom, there are two mechanical buttons and one of the speakers.
The right temple is essentially symmetrical to the left one, but there is no cable here. And perhaps the only addition is the brand name on the metal element. Two buttons and the second speaker are positioned the same way as on the left side, and the technical markings are located inside both temples.
Let’s take a look at the base. Two compact micro-OLED screens with a diagonal of 0.49 inches each are positioned between the outer plastic “lenses” and the thick inner ones. In the middle between them, there is a hole for installing the nose pads, and slightly above, you can see the proximity sensor. Thanks to it, the glasses turn off when the user takes them off and automatically resume operation when put on.
Ergonomics and features
Compared to classic glasses, Legion Glasses weigh almost twice as much. If the weight of average glasses is about 30-40 g, then here we have all 96 g. But this is not surprising, because there are two screens, massive lenses, and other necessary stuffing inside. At the same time, the dimensions of the device are 155×79×50 mm.
One of the important things that ensures comfortable use of Lenovo Legion Glasses is the comfortable fit. For this purpose, everything necessary is included in the package – three pairs of nose pads of different heights and widths, as well as additional silicone retainers for the temples. The first ones help find the optimal height of the screens, while the second ones help better secure the glasses on the head. Thanks to this, along with the well-thought-out design, you can spend several hours straight battling virtual enemies or watching movies.
But in addition to convenience, you should also take care of the correct fit. For the view to be as good as it was intended by the developers, the center of the screen should be at the level of the pupil. Under such conditions, the image will be the clearest over the entire plane. So, when you put on Legion Glasses, their position will seem slightly elevated compared to how we wear regular glasses. This is how it should be:
If you don’t “calibrate” the screen height and position the glasses, let’s say, lower, the upper part of the image will “float,” and the lower edge will be blurry.
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Image characteristics
So, in Legion Glasses, we get a pair of almost 0.5-inch micro-OLED screens. Despite their small size, they have a resolution of 1920×1080 each, with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Additionally, the device has received TÜV Low Blue Light and TÜV Flicker Reduced certifications, indicating reduced flickering and blue light emission, which helps reduce eye strain and makes prolonged use of the glasses more comfortable.
How is the image perceived by this personal monitor? The impression is as if you are sitting next to a 22-inch monitor or about 3 meters away from an 80-inch TV, or maybe in the 13th row (which is my favorite row, so I can draw a more or less objective parallel) in a movie theater. By the way, the image from the official Lenovo website fairly accurately reflects how the picture feels in Legion Glasses.
So, by using the glasses, you get a genuinely larger screen than what you’re using on your device. And it’s not dependent on the position of your head. You can watch movies or play games lying down, and it won’t affect the picture at all.
As for the image itself, it’s very sharp, with excellent color reproduction and pleasant contrast. What’s particularly convenient is the ability to adjust the brightness right on the glasses – no need to delve into the settings of the console or laptop.
Connection and compatibility of Lenovo Legion Glasses
Lenovo Legion Glasses work with the Plug And Play function. That is, no special settings or additional software is required. It is enough to connect the glasses to a fully functional Type-C with DP Alt support and the image and sound will be immediately transmitted to the device. If the sound is not immediately output, just select Legion Glasses in the settings on the device that is the sound source. In the Legion Space utility for the Legion Go portable set-top box, it looks like this:
Although this “portable screen” was primarily developed to accompany the Legion Go and is positioned more as a gaming accessory, Legion Glasses are also compatible with laptops, tablets, and even some smartphones. In other words, they work with anything that can transmit images and sound, where a full-featured Type-C connector is installed. Thanks to the fact that the device does not require the installation of additional programs and works “on the fly,” it is independent of the operating system and can be used with Windows, MacOS, and Android. You can find a list of some compatible devices here.
Sound and control
The sound here is provided by two small speakers, symmetrically placed on both temples. Despite their very compact size, they sound quite decent – you can easily do without headphones when playing games or watching movies. However, they are rather quiet, so in some cases, you may need headphones. And it’s better to use in-ear models with the glasses, as full-size headphones may press against the temples, which in turn will press against the temples.
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To control Lenovo Legion Glasses, there are 4 buttons (2 + 2) symmetrically located on both sides of the temples. For convenience, the first buttons (those closer to the face) on both the left and right sides have a small notch to make them easier to find by touch.
The right buttons allow you to adjust the volume of the built-in speakers. One click equals one “step” (and there are a total of 10), so you need to press as many times as you need to make it quieter or louder (the gesture of pressing and holding is not recognized).
The pair of buttons on the left side are responsible for adjusting the brightness of the picture. If you hold down the first left button for 2 seconds, you can turn on and off the blue light reduction mode. The same gesture on the second left button will turn off the display. To “wake it up,” simply press any button on any side.
Impressions from Lenovo Legion Glasses
I tested the glasses with two devices: my laptop and the portable gaming station Legion Go. With the laptop, I mostly watched movies in the evenings. Legion Glasses indeed provide a very interesting experience, and sometimes you catch yourself thinking that you’re in a movie theater rather than sitting in your room on the couch. The only “but” – in action-packed movies, the speakers’ volume was lacking (although in calmer genres, it was sufficient), so I connected Bluetooth headphones. Out of curiosity, I tried working with the browser and texts with Legion Glasses, but in this case, you have to adjust the screen scale because the text is too small. Still, this device is more about multimedia entertainment than work.
I also really liked the glasses for gaming on the Legion Go. After all, playing on an 8.8-inch screen and a “monitor” that feels like 22 inches is a different experience. The bigger the screen, the better it is for gaming. By the way, for gaming, the sound quality and volume satisfied me completely – you could hear dialogues, special effects, and background sounds clearly. Although, demanding players may find the lack of detail.
It’s also great that you can watch movies or play games in any situation – without bothering others and without curious eyes on your monitor. Do whatever you want, wherever you want – at home, on a long trip, in a café, in the office, or in a coworking space. Just remember that the glasses are not designed for outdoor use, as they don’t provide protection against moisture and dust.
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Conclusions
Lenovo Legion Glasses are a worthy addition to multimedia entertainment on the go, adding new vivid impressions and creating a personal cinema experience. The glasses allow you to play games or watch movies on an “enlarged” screen practically anywhere without drawing unnecessary attention or curiosity from others. Legion Glasses have a well-thought-out design (although the ability to detach the cable would be a nice addition) and come with a good set of accessories. They work seamlessly when connected to the main device without the need for additional settings or software and are compatible with various gadgets running on Windows, Android, and macOS. Additionally, the glasses feature decent built-in speakers and convenient controls on the body. What else could it be if not a must-have for gamers and movie enthusiasts who want to enjoy an incredible entertainment experience wherever they are?