Sony Reportedly Developing A New Portable Console

According to a recent report, Sony is looking to follow the PlayStation Portal’s release with a new handheld console for PlayStation 5.

Bloomberg states that this upcoming device is intended to compete against the future models of the Nintendo Switch and a potential Xbox handheld device currently in early testing by Microsoft Gaming’s CEO, Phil Spencer. However, despite the exciting prospects, it appears that we may have to wait several years before any official announcement or production is confirmed.

Additionally, the same Bloomberg article notes that the PlayStation Portal was initially conceived as a fully portable console akin to the Steam Deck. Currently, however, it is limited to streaming capabilities from an active PS5, although a beta cloud streaming feature does allow select games to be played directly from PlayStation’s servers.

The handheld gaming market has surged in popularity, largely due to the success of the Nintendo Switch, which can conveniently transform from a docked console to a portable device. Competitors like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally have taken the idea further, enabling players to access their entire PC game libraries on the go, alongside an array of specialized gaming devices available in various niches.

In a related trend, both PlayStation and Xbox have been exploring expansions into mobile gaming. Xbox is pursuing this avenue by leveraging its acquisition of Activision Blizzard’s King, known for hit games like Candy Crush Saga, and is releasing its first-party titles on platforms like the PS5 and Switch. Meanwhile, PlayStation has made strides towards mobile gaming as well, establishing a mobile division in 2022, despite recently shutting down its mobile studio, Neon Koi. The company has also been releasing more titles on PC, including Helldivers 2, which launched on Steam.

Once a frontrunner in the handheld market with devices such as the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita, Sony has faced stiff competition from mobile gaming and subsequently discontinued the Vita. Initially, there were plans to close the PS Vita digital store, but this decision was reversed. Former CEO Jim Ryan previously stated that there were no intentions to develop another handheld device even as recently as 2023.