There was a spike in demand for handheld devices after the success of Steam Deck. However, the accomplishment of a particular machine can’t define the fate of others. That is what happened with Sony’s new handheld device, PlayStation Portal.
Revealed earlier this year as “Project Q”, this device will be available later this year at $199.99. Players with hopes of seeing a glimpse of the original PSP might be disappointed as this device is only for streaming. In other words, a fancy accessory for the PlayStation 5.
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What is the PlayStation Portal?
The PlayStation Portal is a device for Remote Play feature developed by Sony. This allows console players to play games on a handheld device like the predecessor of PS4, the PlayStation 3. However, the PlayStation Portal isn’t a cloud device. Players can only access games that are already on their PlayStation 5. Basically, the PlayStation Portal is a companion device engineered such that players can experience high-end gaming from their PS5 in the comfort of anywhere, as long as they have a strong enough internet connection.
How does the PlayStation Portal work?
The PlayStation Portal has an 8-inch 1080p LCD attached with controller handles similar to the DualSense gamepad from PlayStation 5. The functionality of those handles is similar to that of DualSense, including sensitive haptic feedback. The device can be charged with a USB-C port.
Sony still hasn’t announced the battery life of their new handheld. But considering all the features like the giant screen and constantly streaming connectivity, it shouldn’t be much. We can understand from the examples of Steam Deck, which has a battery life of 2-8 hours and Nintendo Switch, which has a life of 4.5-9 hours.
The surprising element of PlayStation Portal is that Bluetooth won’t be supported. This also implies that players can’t connect wireless earpods with the device. It will have a 3.5mm port for wired headphones. For optimum sound experience while gaming, this device has left the opportunity for players to connect their official Sony headsets that utilise its own PlayStation Link.
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Did Sony mess up with the PlayStation Portal?
To conclude, the PlayStation Portal, as a complete dumpster fire, wouldn’t be right. There are several things to consider. Sony still hasn’t decided on a launch date for this device. But Sony is planning to launch the PlayStation Portal later this year only. With the price being marked at $199.99, this might be nothing but a fancy accessory for some gamers. For those who are busy and barely have free time to sit in front of their TVs and play games, the PlayStation Portal might be a great device for them. On the contrary, if you’re thinking about playing games that aren’t on the PlayStation 5, then this Portal is a poor alternative for open handhelds.
Source: Twitter
