PlayStation Portal Could Be Getting a Makeover

The PlayStation Portal will reportedly soon be released in black, according to a reliable industry insider. The device, which cannot play games natively but does allow users to stream games directly from their PlayStation 5 or from the cloud with a PS Plus Premium subscription, is currently only available in white or in the classic PlayStation grey thanks to a limited edition 30th anniversary model, but a new rumor suggests the PlayStation Portal could be getting a fresh lick of paint.

Rumors of a makeover for Sony’s popular streaming device come just days after the PlayStation Portal received its biggest update yet. Prior to the November 19 firmware update, the Portal was only capable of streaming games directly from a PlayStation 5 console, meaning users needed to own both devices. Now, however, players who are subscribed to PlayStation Plus Premium can access over 120 different titles directly from the cloud. As long as the Portal is connected to Wi-Fi with a minimum download and upload speed of 5Mbps, a PlayStation 5 console is no longer required. However, it is worth noting that the game catalog on PlayStation Plus is limited, so any other titles not on the service will still need to be streamed directly from a PlayStation 5.

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PlayStation Portal Reportedly Being Released in Black

Despite the recent reports that Sony is developing a new PlayStation handheld device, the studio is rumored to be gearing up to release a black version of the PlayStation Portal. This comes from Dealabs reporter billbil-kun, who has a reliable track record when it comes to new hardware releases. According to the insider’s report, quantities for the black PlayStation Portal will be limited at release, meaning stock shortages are to be expected. It is also claimed that the price will remain the same ($199.99 USD / £199.99 GBP) and will be available in Europe, North America, and “other regions of the world.”

While the color scheme of the PlayStation 5 and its accompanying accessories have all been white, the company has gone on to release numerous different color variants later down the line, such as a variety of PlayStation 5 faceplates, Dualsense controllers, and more. So while a new color for the PlayStation Portal has yet to be officially confirmed by Sony, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise given the track record for other pieces of hardware. The PlayStation Portal has also been a big hit for Sony, so releasing a new color would be a great way to continue the device’s success.

A separate report from Dealabs earlier this week also claimed that Sony is planning to release a black version of its customizable DualSense Edge controller, as well as other accessories such as the Pulse Elite wireless headset and Pulse Explore wireless headphones. It’s claimed that they should be released “within a month,” but it’s unclear if the same can be said for the new black PlayStation Portal.

PlayStation Portal

While not exactly a PSP successor, the PlayStation Portal solves an age-old issue of having to share one TV in a household. This remote play device allows users to stream whatever is happening on their PlayStation 5’s directly to the large 8-inch 1080p LCD screen. What makes the PlayStation Portal unique is that it comes packed with all the advanced technology of the DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. One downside is that it doesn’t feature Bluetooth support for wireless audio, but it does work with the PlayStation Pulse earbuds and headset, while also sporting a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio. 

Playing Time

6-8 hours

Brand

PlayStation

Weight

529g

Headset Compatibility

3.5mm, PlayStation Link

Display

8-inch LCD

Output resolution

1080p

Release Date

November 15, 2023

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