To succeed in the competitive handheld market, Sony’s new device would need to address existing limitations and offer a broader library of games.
Following the success of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, the handheld gaming market is heating up, with companies like Microsoft reportedly developing a portable Xbox. As demand for mobile gaming grows, Sony is now rumored to be working on its own handheld gaming console, according to The Verge.
The new PlayStation handheld device would reportedly allow players to enjoy PS5 games without requiring a home console, TV connection, or constant network access. Designed for gaming on the go, this device could appeal to players looking to take their PS5 library wherever they go.
This concept may sound familiar to those acquainted with the PlayStation Portal, Sony’s 8-inch handheld device released last year. The Portal enables PS5 game streaming via cloud connectivity, but it is limited by a dependency on Wi-Fi and PlayStation Plus Premium subscriptions.
As noted by ScreenRant, Sony’s new portable PlayStation could succeed if it overcomes the limitations of the Portal, such as its restricted game library and reliance on online streaming. A next-gen handheld would benefit from native game playback, offline functionality, and a wider range of available titles.
While Sony has yet to confirm a release date or further details, The Verge suggests the new handheld console is still “years away from launch.”
