Reports suggest Sony is developing a new portable gaming console aimed at competing with Nintendo and Microsoft. Unlike the PlayStation Portal, which serves as a remote play device tethered to the PlayStation 5, this newly conceptualized gadget is designed to let players enjoy PS5 games anywhere. However, it’s speculated that this standalone gaming device might still be a long way from being available to the public. With this extended timeline, there’s ample opportunity for Sony to adjust their strategy or potentially shelve the project altogether.
Recently, Microsoft’s CEO, Phil Spencer, mentioned that creating a portable Xbox console would require a few more years of development. This timeline mirrors Sony’s, as both giants eye the progress spearheaded by Nintendo, whose next-generation Switch is expected to hit the shelves next year.
When asked about their intentions, Sony remained tight-lipped.
We’ve seen a rapid transformation in portable gaming over the last few years, highlighted by the success of Valve’s Steam Deck and its upgraded OLED version. This shift has prompted tech powerhouses like Asus, Lenovo Legion, Logitech, and MSI to venture into the handheld arena. The key leverage Microsoft and Sony hold is their vast libraries of games and the prestige to attract exclusive content and collaborations with talented indie and AAA developers.
Designing a portable console capable of running PlayStation 5 games involves more than just ambition; it requires robust hardware and meticulously tailored firmware. Currently in its conceptual phase, there’s always a chance Sony might pivot their design goals or even abandon the idea altogether before it hits the production stage.
Sony isn’t a stranger to the portable gaming scene; their history includes the original PlayStation Portable, PSP Vita, and PSP GO. Initially, according to Bloomberg, the PlayStation Portal was intended to be a self-sufficient console. Eventually, Sony shifted gears, releasing a remote gaming device that uses an 8-inch screen to stream gameplay directly from a PlayStation 5 over WiFi.
Despite past achievements with the PSP, Sony faces stiff competition today. Sony not only vies against other handheld consoles but also with the expanding realm of cloud gaming. This space is dominated by entities like Nvidia’s GeForce Now and Microsoft’s own cloud-based services.
Venturing into the portable market offers undeniable advantages by reaching a broader audience—players who might not otherwise engage with PC, cloud, or traditional console gaming. If Sony opts not to move forward with a new handheld device, it risks standing as the lone major gaming company absent from the thriving handheld market.
