Rumors started floating in late 2022 about a new PlayStation handheld codenamed “Project Q”. People assumed a new PSP was on the horizon to rival the likes of the Nintendo Switch but imagine the reaction when it turned out to be the PlayStation Portal, a remote play device built solely to stream games from a PS5 no matter where it is.
The PlayStation Portal wasn’t something people were expecting, so it’s only natural for fans to now be curious about what the handheld can do. If you are in the same boat now, then here’s all you need to know about PlayStation’s latest hardware accessory.
PlayStation Portal Explained
The PlayStation Portal is a dedicated remote play device used to stream games directly from a PS5. It also works perfectly well when streaming games from afar, so if you travel often, it’s the perfect accessory to get for playing PS5 games away from home.
It’s modeled after the DualSense wireless controller and comes with adaptive triggers and haptic feedback support. The only major addition is a giant – when compared to the controller itself – 8-inch LCD screen replacing the touchpad in the middle, capable of delivering 1080p resolution at 60fps.
- Release date: 15th November 2023, pre-orders are live as we speak!
- Price: $199.99 / £199,99
A 3.5mm audio jack is also retained in the design. Sadly, there’s no built-in Bluetooth, so if wireless audio is a necessity for you, you’ll have to wait for the upcoming PlayStation Explore earbuds and Elite headset that can connect with the Portal wirelessly!
A 15 Mbps Internet Connection Is Recommended For The PlayStation Portal
For those of you who don’t know, both the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 allow you to stream the games directly from the console onto a screen through remote play if both of them are linked through an internet connection.
However, this feature hasn’t always been the best. Users with internet speeds lower than 15 Mbps – which is the recommended Wi-Fi speed needed for the PlayStation Portal – often experience stuttering, input delay, and at times, disconnectivity.
Should You Seriously Buy The PlayStation Portal?
If you’re looking for a dedicated handheld gaming device, this is probably not it. You’re better off going for a Nintendo Switch Lite. The PlayStation Portal is a streaming device that requires you to own a PlayStation 5 and have a strong internet connection.
The PlayStation Portal allows you to experience your favorite PlayStation games on a handheld device. It’ll become most useful when traveling or if you simply want to experience an upcoming PS5 game like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 on a handheld. Otherwise, there are better alternatives available to play games on like the Steam Deck.
Contrary to popular belief, the PlayStation Portal can connect to your PS5 over large distances, which is perhaps the biggest selling point for the device. However, that would require you to have a strong internet connection, which is not always guaranteed while traveling! You may also face input delay, so you should take that into account when considering buying one.
As of this moment, pre-orders for it have reportedly sold out in Japan. Other countries are slowly catching up too. In the end, it kind of comes down to how much time you spend away from home and how passionate you are about handheld gaming. And if you are, then there’s no harm in buying a PlayStation Portal provided you have a killer internet connection.