Recent reports suggest Sony is investigating a potential portable console designed to play PlayStation 5 games, showing Sony’s plan to compete in mobile gaming.
The Portable Console
Bloomberg’s recent investigative report reveals Sony is carefully examining the potential of a handheld device that could rival Nintendo‘s established portable gaming segment. While the project remains in early developmental stages, industry insiders believe this could represent a significant strategic expansion for PlayStation.
Concurrent with Sony’s explorations, Microsoft has also expressed interest in developing a handheld console, indicating a growing trend toward mobile gaming solutions.
PlayStation’s Current Mobile Strategy
Sony’s current portable offering, the PlayStation Portal, launched in November 2023 at US$199.99, provides a unique remote play experience. This dedicated handheld device features:
- 8-inch LCD screen supporting 1080p resolution at 60fps
- Wi-Fi connectivity to PS5 consoles
- Compatibility with installed PS5 games
- DualSense controller features including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback
Limitations of the current Portal include:
- Cannot play PSVR2 games
- Restricted to games installed on the primary PS5 console
- Requires consistent Wi-Fi connection
PlayStation’s Growth and Market Performance
The PlayStation ecosystem continues to demonstrate remarkable growth:
- PS5 console sales exceeded 50 million units by December 2023
- Fastest-selling console in Sony’s history
- Launched initially in seven countries on November 12, 2020
- Original pricing: US$499.99 for standard model, US$399.99 for Digital Edition
Recent developments include:
- PlayStation 5 Pro console release on November 7, 2023
- Introduction of a smaller PS5 model in late 2023
- Digital Edition price adjustment to US$449.99
The possible portable console shows Sony’s plan to make gaming more accessible and innovative. Gamers are eager to see how this develops.
