PlayStation plans a new portable device

Key points

Sony is reportedly developing a new PlayStation handheld console.
The system is reportedly still “years away” from launch.
The portable console will potentially be able to run PlayStation 5 titles “on the go.”

A brand new one PlayStation The portable console capable of running games natively is reportedly in the early stages of development at Sony. The rumored PlayStation device could be the first standalone portable device released by the tech giant since the PS Vita, which was initially released in 2011.

There has been growing interest from manufacturers in making portable gaming devices following the successful launch of Valve's Steam Deck in 2022. Over the past two years, the industry has seen major tech companies, such as Asus and Lenovo, release their unique releases with ROG Ally and Legion Go, respectively. These portable PC gaming devices have competed in the space alongside the more streamlined Nintendo Switch, the current uncrowned king of portable gaming devices in terms of sales. If the latest leak is to be believed, another challenger could join these products in the future, with a portable PlayStation long rumored to be in the works.

Sony and Microsoft may be preparing to compete on a new front

The ever-raging battle between Sony and Microsoft may continue on a new front, as both companies attempt to enter the handheld market.

The progress of Sony's upcoming PlayStation handheld console is in the “early stages,” according to a report from Bloomberg. The article mentions that the portable console would be able to run PlayStation 5 titles “on the go”, suggesting native gaming capabilities. However, the report states that the system is still “years away” from launch and provides no guarantees that the handheld will even make it through development. Insiders also revealed that Sony's Remote Play offering, PlayStation Portal, which recently received cloud gaming support for some PS games, was “intended” to be a standalone device similar to Steam Deck “initially” . Furthermore, it is understood that the Sony handheld console currently in development “builds” on the PS Portal as its initial inspiration.

Sony is working on a portable console to compete with Nintendo and perhaps Xbox

Bloomberg continued to shed light on the reasons for Sony's reignited interest in the portable space, stating that the alleged portable project is geared towards “expanding Sony's reach” and eating up Nintendo's gargantuan share of the portable console market. With the announcement of the Nintendo Switch successor expected in early 2025 and with Xbox testing prototypes of its own handheld, Sony is aiming to clash these upcoming portable systems with the much-rumored PlayStation handheld.

Based on the success of the PlayStation Portal released last year, Sony appears to be in a prime position to launch another handheld on the market. Using the experience gained from its work on the PSP and PS Vita, the console giant hopes to be able to provide good competition to Nintendo's unrivaled lead in this category of gaming hardware.