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| The Lenovo Legion 5a Gen 11 and Legion 5i Gen 11 feature a 24-zone RGB keyboard. |
If you were hunting for a gaming laptop that delivered blistering performance without obliterating your budget in 2025, the Lenovo Legion 5 was probably at the top of your list. Its 10th generation, particularly the AMD Ryzen-powered Legion 5a, earned rave reviews for its flawless balance of power, price, and that classic Legion build quality. We even crowned the RTX 5060 model "the best mainstream gamer" of the year.
Well, hold onto your mouse pads. At CES 2026, Lenovo just raised the bar. Introducing the Lenovo Legion 5a and Legion 5i (Gen 11), the successors packing the very latest silicon from AMD and Intel. With next-gen Ryzen AI 400 and Core Ultra 300 "Panther Lake" processors under the hood, these machines aren't just iterative updates—they're a statement of intent to dominate the affordable gaming landscape for another year.
Lenovo Legion 5a (15, Gen 11) Specs: AMD’s Ryzen AI Takes Center Stage
At first glance, the new Legion 5a Gen 11 sticks to the winning formula. It sports the same clean, understated design that gamers and professionals love, avoiding the gaudy aesthetics of some rivals. The magic is all happening internally.
The heart of this beast is AMD’s new Ryzen AI 400-series processors, with the top configuration featuring the formidable Ryzen AI 9 465 APU. This isn't just about raw CPU power; the integrated "AI Engine" is poised to accelerate new gaming and creative features. For graphics, you can spec it with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU, ensuring buttery frame rates at high settings. It supports up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a speedy 2TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD.
The display continues to be a major selling point. Lenovo appears to be carrying over the stunning 15.3-inch, 2560x1600 OLED panel from last year's model, and that's excellent news. With 100% DCI-P3 color, a 1ms response time, and a 165Hz refresh rate, it’s a visual feast. Lenovo rates it at 500 nits of brightness, though last year's model pleasantly exceeded its rating in our tests.
Connectivity is comprehensive, featuring:
- Two USB4 ports (enabling high-speed data, display out, and power delivery)
- Three USB Type-A ports
- HDMI 2.1 output
- RJ45 Ethernet port
- 3.5mm combo audio jack
A pleasant surprise? Lenovo has shaved off some weight. The new model comes in at 1.88 kg (4.1 lbs), making it slightly more portable than its 2025 predecessor (Available on Amazon).
Lenovo Legion 5i (15, Gen 11) Specs: Intel’s Panther Lake Fires Back
For team blue enthusiasts, the Legion 5i Gen 11 answers with Intel's latest Core Ultra 300-series "Panther Lake" chips. The flagship model will be equipped with the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, setting the stage for a fierce battle in CPU performance.
The core difference between the 5i and 5a lies in the chipset and port configuration. The Intel variant swaps one USB4 port for a Thunderbolt 4 connection, while the other remains a USB-C with DisplayPort and Power Delivery. Beyond that, the experience is uniform: you get the same fantastic OLED display, the same 24-zone per-key RGB keyboard, the same 80Wh battery, and the same top-tier build.
Availability & Verdict
Both the Ryzen AI 400-powered Legion 5a 15 and the Panther Lake-powered Legion 5i 15 are scheduled to hit the market in April 2026. Pricing will start at $1,499 for the AMD model and $1,549 for the Intel model.
The Bottom Line: The Legion 5 Gen 11 lineup is shaping up to be a formidable contender. By integrating the latest AI-accelerated CPUs from both major players while retaining its proven chassis, superb display, and sensible pricing, Lenovo isn't just refreshing a laptop—it's strategically positioning the Legion 5 to once again be the default recommendation for anyone seeking maximum performance per dollar in 2026. The battle for mainstream gaming supremacy is officially reignited.
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| Legion 5a 1511 ports on the right side. |
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| Legion 5a 1511 ports on the left side. |
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| Legion 5a 1511 from the rear. |
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| Lenovo Legion 5a 15 Gen 11 specs. |