While Sony might not be making dedicated gaming handhelds anymore (RIP PS Vita), their commitment to delivering top-notch gaming experiences remains unwavering. Sony’s Remote Play feature, which allows gamers to stream their console games locally, has been available for over a decade. And now, Sony is taking it to the next level with the PlayStation Portal, a device designed to bring your PS5 gaming experience wherever you go.
This handheld, teased earlier this year as Project Q, is designed to make your PS5 gaming experience portable without compromising on quality. Equipped with an impressive eight-inch 1080p LCD display, it can stream games at up to 60fps.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill handheld console; it’s a dedicated remote-play device that’s ready to extend your PS5 gaming experience. Sporting controllers that mirror the design and functionality of the PS5’s DualSense controllers, the PlayStation Portal ensures you get that familiar haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, making your gaming experience seamless and consistent.
One crucial aspect that gamers often worry about when it comes to remote play is latency. Will there be a lag that ruins the experience? According to IGN’s review, the PlayStation Portal does an excellent job in this department, offering minimal latency during gameplay.
However, there’s a catch. The PlayStation Portal isn’t a standalone gaming device. Instead, it’s your gateway to streaming games from your PS5 using Wi-Fi. You can only play games that are already installed on your PS5 console; it won’t support PS VR2 games or games streamed through PlayStation Plus Premium’s cloud streaming.
Sony has made an interesting move in the audio department. Instead of offering Bluetooth audio support, they’re introducing their proprietary PlayStation Link wireless technology. It promises lossless, lag-free audio, but it also means the PlayStation Portal won’t work with existing wireless headsets. You’ll need Sony’s new wireless headphones and earbuds, which are launching alongside the Portal.
As for battery life, Sony is aiming for a duration similar to its DualSense controller, which typically lasts around seven to nine hours. Sony hasn’t revealed all the details yet, but they’re targeting a release “later this year.”
Pricing & Availability
The PlayStation Portal will be priced at USD$199.99 (MYR932.42), EUR219.99 (MYR1,101.99), GBP199.99 (MYR1,171.15) and JPY29,980 (MYR949.36).
The handheld remote play device is now available for pre-order in select markets, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Availability in other regions will be announced as they become available.
It will officially launch on November 15, 2023.
