Move Over PlayStation Portal: Sony’s Upcoming Handheld Promises PS5 Gaming Anywhere

Handheld gaming seems to be making a major comeback, and it looks like Sony is gearing up to join the fray with a new portable console that’s not reliant on the cloud.

Where Nintendo leads, others follow; it’s practically a time-honored tradition. Think back to the days when Nintendo and Sony were planning to collaborate on a console—a partnership that ultimately never saw the light of day in its intended form. Sony eventually ventured into the handheld arena with the PSP after Nintendo had already claimed success in that space. While the PSP did well, its successor, the PS Vita, didn’t fare as well, prompting Sony to step back from handhelds until last year’s introduction of the PS Portal. That device, though, relies on cloud functionality, necessitating a reliable internet connection to play. However, recent reports from Bloomberg suggest Sony is crafting a new portable device that you can take on the go and use to play PS5 games wherever you are.

As insiders revealed, Sony’s move to develop this new handheld appears to be a strategic attempt to compete with Nintendo’s stronghold on the portable console market. They’re also seemingly eyeing a challenge against a rumored Xbox handheld in development over at Microsoft, as confirmed by Phil Spencer. But don’t hold your breath—it seems that this new Sony handheld is still a few years away, and there’s even a chance it might not be released at all.

According to Bloomberg, there were initial plans for the PS Portal to function more like Valve’s Steam Deck, allowing it to operate as a standalone device without needing to be online. However, the reasoning behind its cloud-based design hasn’t been clarified.

Speculation about Sony creating a dedicated handheld has been circulating for some time, especially given the enormous success of the Switch. If Sony’s new device is meant for playing PS5 games, it likely means we’re looking at a digital-only console. This aligns with Sony’s push towards a digital future, evident from the PS5 Pro’s design, which doesn’t include a disc drive. It’s likely a good idea to start adjusting to this digital-centric shift.