Sony Reportedly Developing a PS5 Portable: What We Know So Far
Sony is rumored to be working on a new PS5 portable system, marking its potential return to the handheld gaming market. If true, this successor to the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PS Vita could rival Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck, offering gamers an exciting new way to play on the go.
The Current State of Sony’s PS5 Portable Development
Reports from Bloomberg suggest that Sony’s portable PS5 system is still in its early stages and may be years away from release—if it gets released at all. There’s also a chance the company could cancel the project altogether.
Initially, the handheld was envisioned as a device similar to the Steam Deck. Additionally, capable of running PS5 games independently. However, it evolved into a streaming-based device, dependent on a PS5 console. A recent update to the PlayStation Portal introduced cloud-streaming functionality for PS Plus Premium subscribers, removing the need for a PS5 console to play games.
This update has sparked speculation that the rumored portable PS5 system might lean heavily on Sony’s cloud-gaming infrastructure, aiming to create a hybrid experience that bridges console and mobile gaming.
Sony Joins the Handheld Gaming Race
Sony isn’t the only gaming giant exploring the handheld market. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has expressed interest in developing an Xbox handheld device, though it is reportedly also years away from materializing.
Meanwhile, Nintendo is expected to announce the Switch 2 soon. With the company confirming that the system will offer backward compatibility with existing Switch games.
This puts Sony in a position to reclaim a slice of the handheld gaming market after years of absence.
Sony’s Handheld Legacy
The rumored PS5 portable would mark Sony’s first return to handheld gaming since discontinuing the PS Vita in 2019. The PS Vita, launched in Japan in 2011 and in North America in 2012, struggled to compete with Nintendo’s 3DS despite its technical prowess.
Before the PS Vita, Sony released the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2004 in Japan and 2005 in North America. The PSP enjoyed significant success, battling it out with Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS during the mid-to-late 2000s.
If Sony’s new device becomes a reality, it could usher in a new era of competition in the handheld gaming space, offering an alternative to Nintendo and Valve’s offerings.
Conclusion
Sony’s rumored PS5 portable system is an exciting prospect for gamers, bringing the potential for next-gen gaming on the go. While details remain scarce and its release is uncertain, the industry’s pivot to handheld gaming suggests a future where portable systems play a vital role in console ecosystems.
Stay tuned for updates as Sony’s plans for its handheld system continue to unfold.
