PlayStation Portal: Everything You Need to Know About Sony’s New Handheld Device

Sony has surprised the gaming world with the announcement of a new handheld device, codenamed Project Q, during its PlayStation Showcase event on May 24, 2023. The device, which is officially named PlayStation Portal, is a remote player that allows you to stream games from your PlayStation 5 console over Wi-Fi. Here is everything you need to know about this exciting new gadget, including its features, price, release date, and how it compares to other handhelds in the market.

What is PlayStation Portal?

PlayStation Portal is a handheld device that looks like an 8-inch LCD screen sandwiched between two halves of a PS5 DualSense controller. It has all the buttons and features of the DualSense, including the adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, microphone, and headphone jack. It also has a touchscreen that serves as the touchpad.

The Portal does not have any internal storage or run games natively. Instead, it streams games from your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi. This means that you need to have a PS5 console and a stable internet connection to use the Portal. You can also use the Portal outside your home, as long as you have access to a Wi-Fi network or a cellular hotspot.

The Portal is designed to be a companion device for your PS5, giving you the option to play your PS5 games on a handheld when you are not on your couch. Sony says that the Portal puts “most of a PS5 in your hands” and that it is the “sweet spot” for long gaming sessions.

How much does PlayStation Portal cost and when will it be released?

Sony has revealed that the PlayStation Portal will cost $199 and will be available for pre-order “soon”. The device is expected to launch later this year, along with the matching Pulse Explore earbuds, which will also cost $199. The Pulse Explore earbuds are wireless earbuds that connect to the Portal via PlayStation Link, a new wireless connectivity feature that Sony is introducing for its accessories. The Pulse Elite headset, an updated version of the Pulse 3D headset, will also support PlayStation Link and will cost $149. The Pulse Elite headset will launch shortly after the Portal and the Pulse Explore earbuds.

How does PlayStation Portal compare to other handhelds?

PlayStation Portal is not the first handheld device from Sony. The company previously released the PSP and the PS Vita, which were both capable of playing games natively and had internal storage. However, both devices were discontinued due to low sales and lack of support from developers and publishers.

PlayStation Portal is also not the only handheld device in the market. Nintendo Switch is the most popular handheld console right now, with over 100 million units sold worldwide. The Switch can play games natively or docked to a TV, and has detachable Joy-Con controllers that can be used in various ways. The Switch also has an OLED version that features a 7-inch OLED screen and improved audio.

Another competitor for PlayStation Portal is Valve’s Steam Deck, which is set to launch in December 2023. The Steam Deck is a handheld PC that can run any game from your Steam library natively or stream games from your PC using Steam Remote Play. The Steam Deck has a 7-inch LCD touchscreen and two trackpads, as well as four rear buttons and gyro controls. The Steam Deck comes in three models with different storage options: 64GB for $399, 256GB for $529, and 512GB for $649.

Asus also has a handheld device called ROG Ally, which is similar to the Steam Deck but runs on Windows 10 instead of SteamOS. The ROG Ally has an 8-inch OLED touchscreen and two joysticks with L3/R3 buttons. It also has four rear buttons and two shoulder triggers. The ROG Ally has 512GB of internal storage and costs $699.

PlayStation Portal differs from these handhelds in that it does not play games natively or have internal storage. It relies on streaming games from your PS5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi. This means that you need to have a PS5 console and a stable internet connection to use the Portal. This also means that you can only play PS5 games on the Portal, unlike the other handhelds that can play games from various platforms.

However, PlayStation Portal also has some advantages over these handhelds. It has an 8-inch LCD screen that runs games at up to 1080p and 60fps over Wi-Fi, which is larger than the Switch’s 7-inch screen and higher resolution than the Steam Deck’s 800p screen. It also has all the features of the DualSense controller, including the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, which are not available on any other handheld device. It also has a lower price than the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally, and is compatible with the Pulse Explore earbuds and the Pulse Elite headset, which use PlayStation Link to connect wirelessly.

Is PlayStation Portal worth buying?

PlayStation Portal is a unique handheld device that offers a new way to play your PS5 games on a handheld. It has a large and crisp screen, a comfortable and familiar controller, and a reasonable price. However, it also has some limitations, such as requiring a PS5 console and a stable internet connection, and only supporting PS5 games.

Whether PlayStation Portal is worth buying depends on your personal preference and gaming needs. If you already have a PS5 console and want to play your PS5 games on a handheld when you are not on your couch, then PlayStation Portal might be a good option for you. However, if you do not have a PS5 console or want to play games from other platforms on a handheld, then you might want to consider other handheld devices, such as the Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck, or the ROG Ally.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. PlayStation Portal is an exciting new gadget that expands the PlayStation ecosystem and gives you more options to enjoy your PS5 games. However, it is not for everyone, and you should weigh the pros and cons before deciding to buy it.