Reports are emerging that Sony is gearing up to dive back into the portable gaming scene, potentially squaring off against big names like Nintendo and Microsoft. This new portable device is aimed at letting gamers enjoy PlayStation 5 titles on the move, a step up from the PlayStation Portal, which requires a connection to operate remotely. However, rumor has it that this standalone gadget might not see the light of day for several years, giving Sony ample room to pivot or even scrap the project entirely.
Interestingly, this comes after Microsoft’s CEO Phil Spencer commented that an Xbox portable device is also still a few years out, putting Sony on a similar timeline. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues to dominate the handheld market with its anticipated next-gen Switch slated for next year.
When asked about these developments, Sony has remained tight-lipped, with no further details offered.
The landscape of portable gaming has shifted dramatically in recent years. Devices like Valve’s Steam Deck have set a new benchmark, pushing brands such as Asus, Lenovo Legion, Logitech, and MSI to jump on the bandwagon. For giants like Microsoft and Sony, their vast game collections and strong appeal to developers — whether it’s securing exclusive titles or cross-platform AAA games — provide a significant edge in this competitive market.
Crafting a portable PlayStation 5-compatible device is no small feat; it will necessitate robust hardware and custom firmware. With the project still in its infancy, it’s possible that Sony might alter its course or decide not to proceed.
Sony is no stranger to portable gaming, having launched the PlayStation Portable, PSP Vita, and PSP GO many years ago. A Bloomberg report had previously suggested that the PlayStation Portal might stand alone. However, the finished product turned out to be a remote play device with an 8-inch display, designed to stream games from a PlayStation 5 via WiFi.
Despite past successes with these devices, today’s competition is fierce. Sony must now navigate a market also crowded with cloud gaming platforms — Nvidia’s GeForce Now and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming being prominent among them.
Going portable opens doors to a broader audience, one that might shy away from traditional PC, cloud, or console gaming. Should Sony choose not to proceed with a new handheld, it risks being the only major gaming brand absent from this lucrative market segment.
