Sony has peeled back the curtain on its new handheld device, the PlayStation Portal, even further, creating a buzz in the gaming community as it unveils an extension to its flagship console rather than a standalone handheld.
With the power to bring PlayStation 5 gaming directly to its 8-inch 1080p LCD screen, this device opens up a brand new dimension of flexibility for PS5 owners – but it does come with its own set of caveats.
Set to launch on November 15, this $199.99 handheld will be available in select markets, including the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Additional markets such as Canada and Japan will join the fray when pre-orders open on September 29. It’s worth noting that this device isn’t competing with a more popular model like the Nintendo Switch, which retails at $350, or the upstarts like Valve’ Steam Deck starting from $500. In fact, it’s more like an accessory to the PS5 rather than a standalone handheld console. Its performance relies on streaming games from a PS5 over Wi-Fi, which makes owning a PS5 a prerequisite for using the PlayStation Portal.
Design-wise, the PlayStation Portal seems like a novel experiment in ergonomics. Imagine taking a DualSense controller, snapping it in half, and attaching each end to a tablet – that’s essentially what Sony’s new device looks like, for better or for worse. It even incorporates the celebrated features of the DualSense controller, such as haptic feedback as well as its adaptive triggers, although it’s missing the touchpad. For those who can’t help but judge a book by its cover, the device does have the aesthetic charm, complete with light piping vertically across each grip.
While a recent video leak suggests that the PlayStation Portal will operate on an Android system, the interface appears to be straightforward.
Simple menus and QR codes were showcased in the leak, and the device is also expected to feature a 3.5mm audio jack for headset connectivity. Interestingly, it is compatible with Sony’s upcoming Pulse Elite headset and Pulse Explore true wireless earbuds via PlayStation Link technology, although neither of these accessories currently has a release date.
Battery life could be a concern, as rumors indicate around three to four hours of gameplay from a full charge. But given that the device is essentially a dedicated screen for Remote Play from your PS5, the modest battery life might not be a deal-breaker for most users.
One major limitation of the PlayStation Portal is that it doesn’t support cloud streaming, specifically PlayStation Plus Premium. That means the device simply acts as a WiFi remote streaming controller for the PS5, making it less versatile than a smartphone or tablet that can access cloud services. Also, for those who invested in PlayStation VR 2, you’re out of luck. The Portal will not support any form of VR streaming from your PS5 console. So, it’s vital to have your PS5 up and running to maximize the utility of the Portal.
It’s too early to predict the market success of the PlayStation Portal. It’s a handy addition to the PS5 setup, especially for households where TV time has to be shared or for those who want to play their PS5 games in another room. But, who and what is it for? It’s a $200 accessory that isn’t well-integrated into Sony’s subscription service, which, by the way, recently got a massive price increase.
All eyes will now be on Sony’s expected September State of Play event for further details. If nothing else, the Portal is a fresh move, but it’s one that courts a very specific demographic: gamers who own a PS5 and seek a more portable form of gameplay without the frills of cloud services.
Whether this market is sizable enough to warrant Sony’s latest foray into handheld gaming, particularly in the shadow of the less-than-stellar performance of the PlayStation Vita, remains a question that only time – and sales figures – will answer.
