While there are a number of handheld consoles in the market, the Nintendo Switch is by far the leader in the category. The PlayStation Portable is already on the market, but it requires you to have a PS5 in order to stream games. Meanwhile, the Switch has games that are specifically designed for it. So, they really aren’t competitors in the same segment.
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PlayStation Portal Is Finally A Device Worth Buying
Now it supports cloud streaming, the PlayStation Portal doesn’t feel quite so overpriced.
However, it appears that this might change soon, as reports suggest Sony is working on a handheld device that will play PS5 games natively, instead of streaming them via the home console. There’s not much more information as of now, and the device may not even come out, but it’s evident that competition in the handheld console category is ramping up.
A New PlayStation Portable Device Could Be In Development
According to a report by Bloomberg (paywall), Sony is in the early stages of developing this console, which means it’s probably still at the conceptualization phase. So, we won’t be hearing about it anytime soon, and it possibly may not even see the light of day.
PlayStation Portable
“The product is aimed at expanding Sony’s reach and contending with Nintendo Co. for the portable gaming market, according to people familiar with its development,” says the report. “It would also counter any potential mobile hardware from Xbox maker Microsoft Corp., which is working on prototypes in the category as well.”
“The idea builds on the PlayStation Portal, an 8-inch handheld device Sony released in 2023 that allows users to play PS5 games by streaming them over the internet,” the report continues. “Tokyo-based Sony initially had intended for it to function as a standalone device like Valve Corp.’s Steam Deck, the people said.”
With Xbox also confirming that a handheld console is in the works, it seems all three of the major console creators will be vying for dominance in the handheld category in the next few years.
PlayStation fans have been asking about a handheld device since the PS Vita. The PS Portal didn’t really answer their prayers, as it requires a PS5 to function off of. But, if this report is to be believed, and Sony decides to go ahead with its plans, we’ll finally get a portable PlayStation device after 14 years. Add to that the fact that it could play PS5 games, and we might see a major shift in the category.
PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation Portal is a handheld companion to Sony’s PlayStation 5 console. Based around the features of a DualSense controller and Remote Play, it features an eight-inch LCD screen at 1080p resolution capable of 60fps, a headphone jack for wired audio.